You are probably familiar with the idea that Christmas has roots in pagan traditions. Maybe you have a vague notion that Christmas was borrowed from the winter solstice or some ancient Roman holiday. But you’re busy Christmas shopping. You have holiday travel coming up. You have stockings to hang and trees to decorate. You certainly don’t have the time to go researching the origins of Christmas.

The truth is, I was in the same boat. I had heard that once upon a time pagan celebrations were coopted by Christmas. And that was about all I knew. But I have always wanted to learn more about this idea. And, knowing that there is so much herstory in pagan traditions, I wanted to find out what lost herstory the holiday might hold. Now that I know how much Christmas owes to a feminine tradition, I will never look at Santa the same way again. And, after discovering these five hidden herstories of Christmas, neither will you.

1. Kissing Under the Mistletoe