Read The Times Australia

Daily Bulletin

Schnapps, whipping and sacks: how Christmas traditions evolved around the world

  • Written by: The Conversation Contributor
imageIn the Netherlands, the tradition goes that Sinterklaas lives in Madrid, wears a red clerical robe and a bishop’s mitre, and has servants called 'Zwarte Pieten' (Black Peters).from www.shutterstock.com

Christmas has become a cultural event, associated with the giving of gifts and lavish meals with friends and family.

But the traditional...

Read more …

More Articles …

  1. Got a hangover? Here's what's happening in your body
  2. Non-human Democracy: our political vocabulary has no room for animals
  3. How do robots 'see' the world?
  4. What's happening to us when we get drunk?
  5. 2015, the year that was: Science + Technology
  6. FactCheck Year in Review: sorting fact from fiction in 2015
  7. 10 great books that all children should read
  8. In their own words: letters from ANZACs during the Gallipoli evacuation
  9. Was the housing boom in Sydney and Melbourne driven by foreign buyers?
  10. Athletes of influence? The role model refrain in sport
  11. We've got a climate goal of 1.5 degrees – so how do we get there?
  12. So now we know which companies did not pay tax; time to target aggressive avoidance
  13. Australia's plain packaging win over Philip Morris should take the heat off ISDS
  14. Is virgin birth possible? Yes (unless you are a mammal)
  15. Western democracy's new maxim: surveillance and soft despotism
  16. Star Wars: these could be the droids we're looking for in real life
  17. Compulsory psych treatment in the home is ineffective, costly and violates human rights
  18. National spotlight on cities must not leave local input in the shade
  19. The Conversation's super summer quiz
  20. Grattan on Friday: Malcolm Turnbull tells others to take risks but will he follow his own advice?
  21. Turnbull aims to retain ‘closest friend’ tag in first Japan visit
  22. New mothers making time for themselves reduces chance of postnatal depression
  23. Friday essay: virgin mothers and miracle babies
  24. Bone suggests ‘Red Deer Cave people’ a mysterious species of human
  25. I think, therefore I buy: how buying nothing at Christmas time is harder than it appears
  26. Turning up the heat: how the diplomatic push for 1.5℃ unfolded in Paris
  27. Solar freakin' roadways? Why the future of this technology may not be so bright
  28. Thanks to Paris, we have a foundation for meaningful climate progress
  29. Bitcoin might not change the world, but the blockchain that makes it work, might
  30. Ben Anderson's works on Indonesia challenged Suharto's military rule
  31. Let's allow parallel book imports, and subsidise Australian publishing
  32. Door of Syrian peace talks still closed to Australia
  33. Bah, humbug: the misery of Christmas in classic literature
  34. Has this been a good year for international relations?
  35. Google trumps Apple for Australian mobile payments, but for how long?
  36. Sexual coercion may be less common than prison rape myths would have us believe
  37. Book review: Keating, by Kerry O'Brien
  38. If you want to crack down on tax avoidance, go after the banks
  39. Court dismisses the Dallas Buyers Club latest copyright claim as 'not Ben-Hur'
  40. Private prison operators still hide from scrutiny, despite reform
  41. Hidden and unexplained: feeling the pain of fibromyalgia
  42. We need to ditch the pink ball in day-night test cricket
  43. Not just victims or threats: young people win recognition as workers for peace
  44. Releasing government's advice would help parliament better scrutinise laws
  45. Why labour is such a pain – and how to reduce it
  46. Home alone feeling scrooged? These Christmas movies deserve some love, actually
  47. Electronics are getting small, and that is causing big problems
  48. As big business goes green, green bonds ready for takeoff
  49. No climate policy is perfect: here's how to choose the best one
  50. There's no precedent for stopping the Carmichael coal mine, but we should

Business News

Australian organisations are relying on business continuity plans built for a far more predictable world

Tariff escalations, supply chain fragility, geopolitical events, and the ongoing threat of cyber disruption have reshaped the risk environment facing Australian organisations. The problem is that ma...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

How to Rent a Car for Uber in Melbourne: What Every New Driver Needs to Know

Starting out as an Uber driver in Melbourne is not as complicated as it sounds but getting the vehicle right is where most new drivers get stuck. Uber has strict requirements around vehicle age, condi...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

When Should You Speak to a Lawyer About a Legal Issue?

Legal issues can begin with a simple question, then become harder to manage once formal steps are involved. Many people wait until a matter feels urgent before seeking guidance, even though earlier ...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

The strategic rise of Bali as Australia’s next essential healthcare support hub

As Australian healthcare providers grapple with unprecedented operational bottlenecks, a new nearshore model is quietly transforming patient care delivery. Forward-thinking organisations,  including...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Cost Savings and Benefits of Using Used Pallets in Logistics

In today’s competitive logistics and supply chain industry, businesses are constantly looking for ways to reduce operational costs without compromising efficiency and reliability. One of the most prac...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

How Fulfilment Services in Australia Help Businesses Scale Efficiently

The growth of e-commerce and modern retail has transformed customer expectations. Consumers now expect fast shipping, accurate order processing, and seamless delivery experiences regardless of where...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Practical Ways Australian Workplaces Can Reduce Operating Costs

Reducing business costs doesn’t always mean cutting staff, shrinking services or making the workplace feel bare-bones. In many cases, the smarter savings are hiding in everyday operations: the light...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Executive Recruitment Solutions That Help Organisations Secure Exceptional Leaders

Leadership has a direct impact on organisational performance, employee engagement, strategic growth, and long-term success. Businesses operating in increasingly competitive environments require experi...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Why A WooCommerce Website Designer Matters For Online Growth

Running an online store today requires more than simply listing products and waiting for customers to arrive. Businesses need a website that is fast, reliable, easy to navigate, and designed to suppor...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

The Daily Magazine

DIY Rodent Control Vs Professional Help: When Is It Time To Call The Experts?

Rodents are one of the most frustrating pest problems for Australian property owners. Rats and mic...

Lighting Shop in Perth: How The Right Lighting Can Transform Your Home And Business

The right lighting can completely change the look, feel, and functionality of any space. Whether it ...

Traffic Light System Solutions For Safer And More Efficient Traffic Management

Modern cities and growing communities rely heavily on effective traffic management to ensure safety...

Gold Migration Lawyers in Liquidation: How the Closure Affects Your ART Appeal

If your appeal was with Gold Migration Lawyers, a recent change to how the Tribunal decides cases ...

The pressure cooker: life in urban Australia in 2026

Australian cities have always been demanding. Long commutes, rising housing costs, busy schedules a...

What Actually Makes a Good Criminal Lawyer in Melbourne

Most people only think about this question once. That is usually too late. Most people charged wi...

Why Working With A Chatswood Tutor Can Improve Academic Performance

Academic expectations continue increasing for students across primary school, high school, and senio...

Is It Worth Getting Solar Panels in Melbourne?

The real question is not whether solar works in Melbourne. It works. The question is what it is co...

How A Diploma Of Project Management Builds Practical Skills For Modern Work Environments

Developing the ability to plan, execute, and deliver outcomes efficiently is a key requirement in to...