Carl Pettit

Christmas traditions around the world can be quite different from what we’re used to at home.

Christmas is the time of giving and families, but it also has a darker side.

Santa Claus, who without a doubt really does exist, doesn’t have time to make a personal appearance in every Hollywood movie about Christmas ever made. Instead, he relies on a number of talented actors to portray him on the silver screen.

Globes and angels and stars are fine, but for the folks who like to be a little more imaginative with their Christmas-tree decorations—whether from boredom or budget—we’ve come up with a list of five unusual ways to help get the creative wheels in your noggin spinning:

Christmas means toys, food, holiday cards, laughter, singing, family squabbles and lot of sweets stuffed inside your belly. The festive season also means a ton of money will be spent on those near and dear to us—and with so many sales going on, maybe just a bit on yourself as well.

The open road offers up a lot of possibilities. You’ve got adventure, new and strange destinations, gorgeous scenery, and the opportunity to escape the humdrums of your normal life, plus all of the interesting characters you’ll meet along the way. All you have to do is decide on a route, get into the car and drive.

North America is an incredible place, with wonderful landscapes full of remarkable rivers. You can hit the rapids full on, crashing through walls of water, or else take a more leisurely float down a long stretch of river, which will let you gaze upon some truly stunning scenery.

Little kids like to stick things inside their mouths, ears and noses. From toy soldiers and toy cars, to carrot sticks, pencils, crayons and more, some curious toddler somewhere has jammed it down his gullet or into his nose.

People are always trying to eat healthier or lose weight. The media sends out a constant onslaught of new information about what you should and shouldn’t eat.

Sometimes a bed is just a bed. It’s simply a place to lay your head down for a good night’s sleep. But sometimes a bed, and the room it happens to be in, is an amazing work of art, located in a bizarre place full of fascinating sights. Most of us have stayed in hotels during our life, some better than others, but how many people can say they’ve slept in an underwater hotel, or one built out of ice