North Dakota, How Many Of These Christmas Laws Do You Know?

The “War on Christmas” is actually a thing

Christmas is, after all, a celebration of the birth of Christ, which should make it a very happy occasion. Nope. The origins of controversy surrounding Christmas actually date back to the early colonial era in the United States.

To discourage "disorderly" behavior that might be "offensive to God," the Puritan government of the Massachusetts Bay Colony even went so far as to outlaw Christmas in 1659. Five shillings would be fined to anyone who feasted or did not show up for work.

Massachusetts didn't declare Christmas a public holiday until 1856, and the Christmas ban persisted until 1681.

The English were the first to ban Christmas

Christmas was not originally outlawed in Massachusetts. An ordinance "encouraging" citizens to observe Christmas as a solemn holiday instead of a feast was passed back in 1643 in England.

The following year, Christmas was completely outlawed. Up until 1660, Christmas was illegal in England (one year after it was outlawed in Massachusetts).

No paying of debts

In sharp contrast to the New England law against recognizing Christmas, Arkansas passed a law in 1838 making debt that would otherwise be payable on Christmas, payable one day earlier, aka Christmas Eve. In other words, if a debt you owed was to come due on Christmas, you’d have one less day to pay it.

Likewise, if a debt owed to you was payable on Christmas, your debtor would be required to pay it one day early, thus depriving you of one days’ worth of interest. Official score in Arkansas: Debtor=0, Creditor=0. Here are 15 Christmas Eve traditions to start this year—and none of them involve paying off debt.

A grace period for paying a debt

In contrast to Arkansas, Louisiana passed a law in 1837 designating Christmas Day as a grace period for paying bills. Put differently, a debtor would have until December 26, also known as Boxing Day, to pay a debt that became due on Christmas Day.

As a result, creditors would lose a day of interest while debtors would keep their money for an additional day without incurring interest.

The Christmas Bonus Law

According to Investopedia, "aguinaldo" refers to the yearly Christmas bonus that companies in Mexico are obligated by law to give to their staff. Companies who do not make payment by December 20 risk incurring heavy fines, which could reach 315 times the legal daily minimum wage. A similar law exists in Costa Rica.

The war on Christmas trees?

It is illegal for retail establishments in New York City to display real, non-artificial Christmas trees. Natural trees cannot be found in high-rise buildings or any other type of home intended for more than two families in Philadelphia, according to a law.

The rationale is the same in both situations: it's a fire hazard.

Christmas tree tax

Every Christmas tree sold in the United States is subject to a 15¢ tax as of 2011. The tax is intended to finance a marketing campaign aimed at enhancing the perception of Christmas trees, along the lines of the "The Incredible Edible Egg" and "Got Milk?" campaigns.

Not convinced? Snopes attests to it, albeit they argue that calling it a "tax" is inaccurate because it only applies to wholesalers.

However, it's possible that wholesalers charge retail clients for the levy. Discover 12 secrets you wish you knew about your Christmas tree.

Yes to the tree, no to the cross

It was made unlawful to place a cross atop a Christmas tree in a public display in Knightstown, Indiana, in 2016. An American Civil Liberties Union representative declared, "The cross is not a Christmas symbol." "The cross is the most important symbol in Christianity; it reminds Christians of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection rather than the commercial elements of Christmas."

Don’t lose that receipt

If you enjoy having a freshly cut Christmas tree in Michigan, be prepared to keep the receipt. This is due to the fact that it is against the law for anyone to transport a Christmas tree there without proper documentation of the sale.

The ban on candy canes

2018 saw the ban of candy canes in Nebraska elementary schools due to the fact that "historically, the shape [of the candy cane] is a 'J' for Jesus," according to the principal. White represents Christ's resurrection, while red stands for his blood.

Anything that is associated with the Christian holiday of Christmas, such as red and green items, reindeer, and Elf on the Shelf, is also prohibited.

No booze in the eggnog in Arkansas

Christmas Day sales of alcoholic beverages are forbidden in Arkansas. Clearly. Story ends here. That is not to say that alcohol cannot be consumed privately at home on Christmas; however, in order to do so, you will need to make sure you have enough on hand before the holiday.