Christmas Urban Legends Debunked!

Does he REALLY know when you're sleeping?

Urban legends are the slightly less insane cousin of conspiracy theories. No matter where you go, you can find a story that experts have proven false, but that people still desperately want to believe is true. It’s just more fun to imagine that there are alligators in the sewers, that George Washington told the truth about his cherry tree, and that corporations are people.

The holidays are no different. Urban legends abound during Christmas season, including the very idea that Jesus was born on December 25th, since astronomers say the stars are inconsistent with Biblical narratives. Here are some other Christmas Urban Legends that we’re happy to officially debunk.

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas was not created by Dr. Seuss. It’s almost entirely based on real events, although Cindy Lou Who’s name was changed to protect her identity.

• Stockings have nothing to do with St. Nicholas. The tradition of hanging Christmas stockings by the fireplace actually began in 13th-century leper colonies as a symbol of limbs lost during the previous year.