Christmas is often associated with snowy streets, festive lights, and time spent with family—but have you ever considered how cars fit into this picture? While it might not be obvious at first, automobiles have been intertwined with Christmas traditions and celebrations for more than a century. In this blog, we’ll take a journey through time to explore some of the historical connections, fun facts, and curious ways that cars have played a part in our Christmas festivities.

1. The Evolution of Christmas Parades
One of the earliest connections between cars and Christmas dates back to the holiday parades of the early 20th century. As cars became more accessible to the public, they began replacing horse-drawn carriages in these festive events. Today, the tradition continues, with floats often being built on truck beds or flatbed trailers. Iconic parades like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Hollywood Christmas Parade feature elaborate floats and, of course, Santa’s sleigh pulled not by reindeer—but by vehicles.

2. Holiday Road Trips: A Family Tradition
The idea of taking a family road trip to visit loved ones during the holidays became especially popular in the mid-20th century, thanks to the post-war boom in car ownership. Families would pile into their cars, load up gifts, and head out on the highways to visit relatives across town or across state lines. Today, holiday travel remains a significant part of the Christmas experience, with millions of people hitting the road each year. In fact, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), over 100 million Americans travel during the holiday season, with 90% of them choosing to drive.

3. Classic Christmas Car Commercials
Car manufacturers have long used the festive season to showcase their latest models. Some of the most memorable Christmas ads in history have featured shiny new cars parked in driveways with giant red bows. These advertisements often tap into the idea of gifting something grand and meaningful—like a brand-new car—to a loved one. Companies like Lexus and Mercedes-Benz have even turned these commercials into annual holiday traditions, with their luxury vehicles taking center stage as the ultimate Christmas gift.

4. The Role of Cars in Holiday Deliveries
While Santa is famous for his sleigh, modern-day Christmas gifts are more likely to be delivered by trucks and vans. Delivery vehicles have become essential during the holiday season, especially with the rise of online shopping. Companies like UPS, FedEx, and Amazon experience a massive surge in deliveries in December, with thousands of delivery drivers playing a pivotal role in ensuring gifts reach their destinations on time. It’s hard to imagine Christmas without these tireless workers and their vehicles.

5. Fun Fact: The World's Largest Christmas Tree on Wheels
In 1950, a town in Enid, Oklahoma, made history by transporting a 72-foot-tall Christmas tree on the back of a truck. This massive tree was brought in from New Mexico and paraded through the streets before being placed in the town square. It became a local legend and was even recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest Christmas tree on wheels at the time. The tradition of transporting large Christmas trees via truck continues to this day, with trees for public displays often making long journeys across states to bring holiday cheer to cities.

6. Cars as Festive Decorations
In recent years, the trend of decorating cars for Christmas has gained popularity. From stringing Christmas lights across roof racks to attaching reindeer antlers and red noses to the front grille, people are finding creative ways to make their vehicles part of the holiday fun. Some neighborhoods even host "car-lighting" contests, where the best-decorated car is awarded a prize, bringing the festive spirit out onto the streets.

As Christmas approaches, take a moment to appreciate the unexpected ways that cars have shaped our holiday traditions. From parades to road trips, deliveries, and festive car decorations, the automobile plays a more significant role in Christmas than we might realize. So the next time you load up your car with presents or drive through a holiday parade, remember that your car is part of a long-standing Christmas connection!