1

Shopping chaos

Image: Nathan Lemon

Move over, Black Friday! It seems counterintuitive to think there’s a day that is busier than the one day devoted to buying and taking advantage of super sales, but as it turns out, the two days right before Christmas actually take the ranking as the busiest shopping days of the year.

As the holiday countdown hits single digits, shoppers everywhere rush for those last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers.

Do you know what we mean? Those few days, you can almost feel the energy buzzing at every checkout line. If you have ever been in a store on December 23rd, you know the frenzy firsthand. Now, want some pro-tip? Make a list and check it twice to avoid panic shopping! Who knew that Christmas Eve could rival Black Friday for chaotic crowds?

2

The dangers behind decorating

Image: freestocks

While holiday decorating is one of the joys of the season, it’s also a little risky business. November and December see an uptick in home accidents, with 34% of decorating injuries caused by falls. Climbing ladders to string up lights or reaching for that high branch on the tree can get tricky!

It’s a good reminder to decorate with care and maybe enlist some help for those high-up decorations. After all, the holidays are about spending time with family, not in the ER. So, keep it safe and merry as you turn your home into a winter wonderland.

3

Rudolph’s Advertising Origins

Image: Tim Gouw

Who doesn’t love Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? He is a true Christmas icon, but he wasn’t always the holiday figure we know today. In fact, he got his shiny start as an advertising gimmick for Montgomery Ward back in 1939.

The department store created the character to attract holiday shoppers and boost sales, and boy did it work! Rudolph quickly became a beloved part of Christmas lore, it captured hearts with his glowing red nose and underdog story.

It’s funny to think that one of the most famous Christmas figures was born from a marketing strategy, but if you come to think about all these traditional figures, they were all born the same way. Regardless, Rudolph lights the way for Santa every year and we simply adore it!

4

Dickens’ Speedy Classic

Image: Elin Melaas

Talk about Christmas traditions! Charles Dickens’ timeless tale, A Christmas Carol , feels like it’s been around forever, and we’ve all probably read it more than once.

Did you know it only took him six weeks to write ? That’s right, in just a month and a half, he crafted one of the most long-lasting holiday stories of all time. Published in 1843, Dickens’ story of redemption and the Christmas spirit has been adapted into countless films, plays, and musicals.

He wrote it in a hurry because he needed money. Little did he know his rush would produce a masterpiece read in every classroom and household during the holiday time and any other time of the year!

5

Seattle’s sky-high tree

Image: Annie Spratt

Talk about decking the halls! The tallest Christmas tree ever displayed in our country stood tall and proud in Seattle, Washington, and it reached a jaw-dropping 221 feet ! If you can’t figure out how tall that is, that’s about the height of a 20-story building!

It was displayed in 1950 and, tall as it was, imagine all the lights and ornaments it took to decorate that beautiful tree. It quickly became a symbol of holiday glory. While it’s not every day you see a Christmas tree as tall as a skyscraper, it’s fun to imagine what that lighting ceremony must have been like. Don’t worry, most of us are happy with our 6-footers! But this defies the belief that less is more, right? When it comes to Christmas spirit, more is more!

6

Visa goes crazy!

Image: CardMapr.nl

We’ve already established that the Christmas season is the busiest in sales. But if you think holiday shopping is busy, imagine how busy Visa credit cards are! Here’s the fact: During the Christmas season, Visa cards are used around 6,000 times per minute . That’s a whole lot of swiping (or tapping,) don’t you think?

And it’s not only to buy gifts, consider this is also a touristic time of the year so, from buying presents to booking travel, credit cards get quite the workout in December. It’s not surprising, considering how much we all spend on making the holidays special! Even if our credit cards don’t really like it.

7

Franklin Pierce’s presidential tree

Image: Annie Spratt

The White House Christmas tree is a wonderful tradition, (one of our personal favorites, at least) but do you know who was in charge of setting this precedent?

In this case, we’ve got Franklin Pierce to thank, because in 1856 he became the first US president to put up an official Christmas tree in the White House .

Of course, back then, it wasn’t the massive display we see today, but it was the beginning of a tradition that continues to this day. Every year, a whole spectacle is set around putting up the Christmas tree and is televised for everyone to enjoy. There was a first, but we haven’t seen the last of this tradition yet!

8

X marks the Christmas spot

Image: Cris DiNoto

Not a year goes by without millions of people getting a text from a loved one saying "Mery X-mas! Lots of love" This is also a common thing in sales. Now, if you’ve ever seen "X-mas" and thought it was just a shortcut for "Christmas," think again!

The "X" in X-mas actually comes from the Greek letter Chi , which is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ . So, it’s not a lazy abbreviation of a long word, it is a historical nod to the religious roots of the holiday. It’s been used for centuries, though some people still debate its use today and it is more popular among the younger generations. Do you use it?

9

Oklahoma’s late start

Image: Hayden Scott

It is hard to imagine a time when Christmas was not a thing, but there was actually a moment in history, not long ago, when this fun holiday was not legal in Oklahoma!

This state might be known for its wide-open plains, but it was the last state in the country to declare Christmas a legal holiday . That didn’t happen until 1907, long after most other states had already embraced the holiday spirit.

When we say it was not legal, we don’t mean it was forbidden to celebrate it. It means that, before then, Christmas was just another workday for many Oklahomans! But once it was official, the state caught up with the rest of the country and began celebrating the season in style. Better late than never, right?

10

Leftovers season

Image: Jed Owen

Chicken, primer ribs, cranberry sauce. It’s not Christmas without a delicious feast. Yes, Christmas dinner is delicious, but you have to be careful with those leftovers!

Did you know that over 400,000 illnesses are caused by spoiled Christmas leftovers each year? It makes sense, we cook a lot, we eat only so much, and then, between the turkey, stuffing, and pies, it’s easy to forget how long food has been sitting out. Make sure to store leftovers properly and eat them within a safe timeframe. Nobody wants their holiday cheer spoiled by an upset stomach! So, while leftovers are a gift that keeps on giving, a little caution goes a long way in keeping the festive fun intact.

1

Darth Vader (Star Wars)

The first time Darth Vader appeared on the big screen in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), his presence was mysterious and ominous . Was he a robot? A human? A monster? This enigmatic figure with a mechanical voice and unmistakable heavy breathing terrified his enemies and allies, too.

One of the most frightening elements of Darth Vader is, perhaps, his unpredictability; he could be talking with a crew member of his ship, and suddenly lift them in the air while choking them using the Force. Darth Vader said one of the most iconic quotes ever in one of the greatest plot twists in cinema history, when talking to Luke Skywalker: "I am your father."

2

The Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz)

Margaret Hamilton brought to life the unforgettable green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz (1939), scaring generations of children with her sinister laugh. In the movie, she relentlessly pursues the protagonist, Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), and her friends and delivers one of the most quoted villain lines ever: " I'll get you, my pretty… and your little dog, too !"

The witch also commanded an army of Winged Monkeys in some of the most memorable and nightmare-inducing scenes. The American Film Institute ranked The Wicked Witch of the West as the fourth greatest movie villain of all time in 2003.

3

Joker (Batman)

First introduced in the premiere Batman comic book in 1940, the Joker has been portrayed countless times in movies, animated fare, and TV shows, and it's hard to pick the best rendition. The iconic villain has so many characteristic features that make him unique: his exaggerated smile, green hair, and especially his twisted, vicious laugh . The first time The Joker made his big-screen debut was in Batman (1966) with Cesar Romero in the role, though he inarguably became an icon in Batman (1989) when Jack Nicholson breathed life into the character.

The Joker is Batman’s greatest enemy, and unlike many powerful villains, he doesn’t have powers . His only tool is his intelligence, which he uses to come up with the most macabre methods to terrorize Gotham. In 2009, actor Heath Ledger won a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance playing The Joker in The Dark Knight (2008).

4

Norman Bates (Psycho)

Who could forget the shower scene massacre of Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) at the hands of Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) — perhaps the most well-known murder scene of all time.

Belying the violent psychopath that lurks within, Norman Bates is the mild-mannered owner of the Bates Motel, and his notorious Mommy issues lead him to murder. Bates was ranked as the second greatest movie villain of all time by the American Film Institute.

5

Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs)

The cold-hearted and calculating Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter became world-famous thanks to The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and the fantastic performance of Anthony Hopkins —earning him an Oscar for Best Actor. Hannibal’s refined manners are unsettling when you know the brutality of his actions, creating an agonizingly tense atmosphere every time he’s on screen.

Hannibal uses his deep understanding of human psychology to manipulate almost everyone he meets, including FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), with his iconic "Hello, Clarice" greeting. Hannibal Lecter was named the greatest villain of all time by the American Film Institute.

6

The Terminator (T-800) (The Terminator)

Even though Arnold Schwarzenegger has over 50 onscreen credits, his most recognizable performance was playing the T-800 in The Terminator (1984), a relentless cyborg assassin sent from the future by the artificial intelligence Skynet that will never stop pursuing his target, no matter what.

The T-800 looks human, though beneath the skin, he’s an indestructible machine with a metal skeleton, and he is tasked with the mission of eliminating Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). During the movie, the T-800 delivers the staple line of the saga: "I’ll be back."

7

Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street)

The idea of a homicidal maniac who can murder you in your dreams while you are sleeping is absolutely spine-chilling and still haunts many of us. Freddy Krueger was introduced in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), revolutionizing horror by attacking teens in a place where their parents couldn’t save them .

Freddy became an all-time horror icon thanks to his burned face, red-and-green striped sweater, brown fedora, and glove fitted with razor-sharp blades. Of the nine movies in which Freddy is featured, Robert Englund portrayed him in eight, which makes him one of the longest-running actors to play the same villain.

8

Michael Myers (Halloween)

Michael Myers, originally appearing in Halloween (1978), wears one of the most famous props in movie history: his mask. The undying, knife-wielding killer — whose chief target in the first film and many sequels is Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) — has been portrayed by several different actors over the years, but Nick Castle played him in the original film, turning Michael into a defining villain of the slasher genre .

Like many other villains on this list, Michael Myers’ outfit is unmistakable, and his slow, deliberate walk is a mark of the character. In contrast with other major villains, Michael never speaks, and his silence adds to the mystery surrounding him .

9

Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians)

Cruella de Vil’s film debut was in One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), and although the animated Disney movie is a lovely classic, we cannot say the same about her. The eccentric heiress has an obsession with Dalmatians because she wants to make a spotted fur coat , so she terrifies a family trying to steal their puppies.

Her appearance, with her black-and-white hair (a nod to the Dalmatians), red gloves, and bold makeup, is impossible to ignore . Cruella de Vil became even more famous after Glenn Close portrayed her in the live-action films 101 Dalmatians (1996) and 102 Dalmatians (2000).

10

Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest)

Unlike the rest of the villains on this list, Nurse Ratched — brought to life by Louise Fletcher in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) — doesn’t rely on violence; instead, she controls others through quiet authority and emotional manipulation . Ratched is the head nurse of a psychiatric hospital where patient Randle P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) battles against her for freedom and control.

Her calm yet intimidating demeanor makes her one of cinema’s most chilling antagonists, and in 2003, the American Film Institute (AFI) ranked Nurse Ratched as the fifth greatest movie villain of all time — the highest-ranked female villain on the list.

1

Bigfoot in the Pacific Northwest

Image: Jon Sailer

The forests of Oregon and Washington have been a treasure trove of Bigfoot sightings for decades. Hikers, campers, and loggers all have their own take, from gentle encounters to hair-raising escapes. Whether he’s a shy forest neighbor or just a legendary wanderer, the mystery has inspired countless hunts, tales, and devoted believers who swear the creature is still out there.

2

West Virginia’s winged visitor

Image: Bhong Bahala

Point Pleasant had quite a moment in the 1960s, when locals reported seeing a tall figure with glowing eyes sweeping through the sky. Newspapers named it the Mothman, and soon the stories were everywhere. Some people thought it was a bird, others guessed something stranger. The sightings even lined up with a real bridge collapse, which only added to the town’s long-lasting fascination.

3

Minnesota’s winter monster

Image: Anoushka Puri

Northern tribes have long shared stories about the Wendigo, a creature tied to greed, hunger, and the frozen wilderness. Descriptions vary, but all versions paint a picture of something you wouldn’t want to cross paths with on a snowy night. Whether seen as a physical creature or a spirit, the tale has survived because it taps into those deep winter fears we all understand, right?

4

The Jersey Devil in New Jersey

Image: Donovan Reeves

The Pine Barrens have been home to strange stories since colonial days. One of the oldest is about Mother Leeds, who supposedly cursed her thirteenth child. Folks say the baby flew off into the forest and took on a life of its own, complete with wings and hooves. Sightings pop up every so often, especially during the wave of excitement in 1909, when everyone was looking over their shoulder.

5

Riverdale Road in Colorado

Image: Dennis Schmidt

This quiet stretch of pavement near Thornton has earned quite a reputation. People love to talk about its old gates, said to be the ruins of a long-gone mansion, where a ghostly woman in white sometimes steals the spotlight. Drivers also swap stories about a phantom jogger keeping pace with them.

6

The Shaman’s Portal in Oklahoma

Image: Daniëlle Eibrink Jansen

Out in Beaver Dunes Park, people have been whispering for centuries about strange lights flickering across the sand. Early explorers were warned to steer clear, and some stories claim travelers simply vanished after a flash of eerie green. Modern visitors usually come for ATV rides, but the legend of an otherworldly doorway tucked into the dunes still gives the place a curious chill.

7

Hell’s Gate Bridge in Alabama

Image: The New York Public Library

Locals tell an old tale about a young couple whose late-night drive ended in tragedy. The story took on a life of its own, with people claiming that if you sit on the bridge in the dark, you might spot the couple. Everyone knows it’s just a slice of local lore, but it hasn’t stopped anyone from swapping stories.

8

Utah’s petrified forest curse

Image: Adrian Hernandez

Escalante Petrified Forest is a beautiful destination, but visitors hear one warning loud and clear: leave the wood where it lies. Rangers say they get packages every year with pieces of petrified wood sent back by people who swear they had nothing but bad luck after taking a souvenir. Whether you believe in curses or just want a peaceful trip, it’s safer to enjoy the scenery with your hands empty.

9

The Cropsey tale in New York

Image: Mahdi Bafande

Growing up in New York, plenty of kids heard a version of Cropsey. Sometimes he was a runaway patient, other times a shadowy presence lurking near camps or tunnels. The unsettling part is that a real criminal case in the 1980s made the stories feel even closer to home. Over time, the legend inspired scary movies, bedtime warnings, and a whole generation of whispered fears.

10

Virginia’s Bunnyman

Image: Justin Ziadeh

Clifton has a little train bridge that looks simple enough in the daytime. But the Halloween story tied to it turned it into a local fixture. Some say a dangerous fugitive patient once hid there. Others remember a real-life incident from the 1970s involving a hatchet and a mysterious figure. The tale grew in the retelling, and before long, the Bunnyman hopped right into regional folklore.