holidays

Too much partying at the office holiday bash can lead to lawsuits, firings or just plain awkwardness.

Mischief Under The Mistletoe: Office Partygoers Behaving Badly

6:14pm December 18, 2014

by Yuki Noguchi

Partying with co-workers can lead to awkwardness and worse. And, HR experts say, alcohol is often to blame. "If people used common sense, I wouldn't have a job," says employment attorney Jon Hyman.

Queue Listen Now

Tourtiere is a savory, spiced meat pie, which both French- and English-speaking Canadians love to serve around the holidays.

Tourtiere: A French-Canadian Twist On Christmas Pie

4:21pm December 18, 2014

by Lynn Neary

On Christmas Eve, many French-Canadians will gather after midnight Mass for reveillon, a lavish dinner party that lasts into the wee hours. The traditional centerpiece is a savory, spiced meat pie.

In Jerusalem, Syrian Orthodox Christian Nadia Ishaq prepares her burbara porridge with boiled what kernels, raisins, dried plums and dried apricots, topped with ground coconut in the shape of a cross. The holiday honors St. Barbara, an early convert to Ch

A Holy Land Christmas Porridge Honors A Damsel In Distress

4:19pm December 18, 2014

by Daniella Cheslow

Some Christians in Israel and the West Bank celebrate Eid el-Burbara on Dec. 17. The feast honors St. Barbara, an early convert to Christianity whose story is echoed in the Rapunzel tale.

Wrapped in gold and silver foil, chocolate gelt are often handed out as a little treat for children (and adults) during Hanukkah. Turns out, the tradition is rooted in real money.

Hanukkah History: Those Chocolate Coins Were Once Real Tips

2:09pm December 16, 2014

by Deena Prichep

Many Jewish families celebrate the holiday by handing out gelt, chocolate coins covered in gold and silver. These days they're treats for kids. But the practice began as a way to thank labor.

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So festive: Latte the Pomeranian poses in a reader-submitted photo, part of a look at the humblest Christmas trees.

A #SadTree Lot: Your Photos Of The Charlie Browniest Trees

5:20pm December 02, 2014

by Bill Chappell

To mark 50 years of A Charlie Brown Christmas airing on American televisions, our readers are sharing photos and memories of Christmas trees that reflect the spirit of that TV classic.

Economy

North Carolinians Holding the Line on Holiday Spending

11:37am December 12, 2013

According to a High Point University Poll out this week, most North Carolinians plan to spend the same amount of money or less on the holidays this year than last year.