Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.
Each year is celebrated on December 25th.
Truckers are the backbone of making Christmas and the holidays special.
While the rest of the world is at leisure, truck drivers work additional hours transporting the goods that make the holidays possible.
History of Christmas
The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration everywhere in the world.
The first recorded Christmas being celebrated actually dates all the way back to the Roman Empire in 336 during the time of emperor Constantine.
In the 4th century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday.
They thought that holding the Christmas at the same time as traditional winter festivals would increase the chance of Christmas to be popular.
On Christmas, believers attended church and then celebrated in a carnival-like atmosphere.
In the early 17th century, religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated.
When English separatists came to America in 1620, Christmas was not a holiday in early America.
Americans reinvented Christmas and changed it from a carnival holiday into a family centered day of peace.
Christmas was declared as a federal holiday on June 26th 1870.
Christmas Facts
→ Each year 30-35 million real Christmas trees are sold in the USA.
There are about 21,000 Christmas tree growers.
Trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.
→ Christmas was declared a federal holiday in USA on June 26th 1870.
President Ulysses S. Grant declared Christmas as a legal holiday in 1870.
Alabama was the first state in the US to declare Christmas as a federal holiday.
→ Construction workers started the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition in 1931.
The first Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center was erected in 1931, during the Depression-era construction of Rockefeller Center.
Italian-American workers decorated a smaller 20 foot (6.1 m) balsam fir with “strings of cranberries, garlands of paper, and even a few tin cans” on Christmas Eve.
→ “Jingle bells” was the first song played in space.
“Jingle bells” is one of the most known Christmas songs, but it was originally composed as a Thanksgiving tune.
→ Santa has a postal code in Canada.
His postal code is H0H 0H0.
The postal service responds each year to tens of thousands of children’s letters from around the world addressed to Santa Claus, North Pole.
→ Americans expect to spend around $850 on Christmas gifts each year, but they actually end up spending up to $1500 on presents.
→ The Statue of Liberty is the largest Christmas gift ever given.
It was given to the US by France in 1886 as a symbol of the Franco-American friendship.
→ Thomas Edison and his business partners invented Christmas lights.
Before electric Christmas lights, families used candles to light their Christmas trees.
This was dangerous, and led to many fires at the homes.
In 1882, Edward H. Johnson, Edison’s friend and partner, put together the very first string of electric lights meant for a Christmas tree.
He hand-wired 80 red, white and blue light bulbs and put them around his Christmas tree.
This was a step to a new evolution of the Christmas tree.
→ The Rockefeller Christmas tree features 50,000 lights.
Nowadays, the Rockefeller Christmas tree has more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and the star top..
Swarovski crystal star tops the tree and it was created in 2018.
The new star features 70 spikes and three million crystals with LED lighting spots.
→ The first Christmas card ever sent is worth almost $30.000.
→ The largest gingerbread house ever made was as big as a real house.
Consisting of 35.8 million calories and covering an area of 2520 square feet, or nearly the size of a tennis court, the 21-foot high gingerbread house in Bryan, Texas has been declared the biggest ever by Guinness World Records.
→ American spent nearly $2 billion on holiday treats every year.
→ Home Alone is the highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time.
Home Alone grossed $476.7 million worldwide.
It is a 1990 American comedy movie starring Macaulay Culkin.
He plays as Kevin McCallister, a boy who defends his Chicago home from burglars after his family accidentally leaves him behind on their Christmas vacation to Paris.
→ Decorating Disney World involves 8,5 million lights.
Decorating the Disney World for the holidays means unloading 150 semi-trailer truckloads of decorations, stringing 15 miles of garland and 8.5 million lights, hanging 1,314 wreaths, and trimming some 1,300 trees with 300,000 yards of ribbon and bows across Disney World’s four theme parks.
→ The tradition of putting up Christmas trees is more than 500 years old.
The first Christmas tree was planted around 500 years ago by Germans.
→ Mariah Carey wrote “All I want for Christmas is you” in just 15 minutes.
→ Children have been leaving cooking and milk out for Santa since 1896.
→ Americans drink more than 135 million pounds of eggnog every year.
→ During the Christmas season more than 4 million tons of wrapping paper and shopping bags are thrown away.
Ways to Celebrate on the Road
Decorate the Truck
The first thing people almost always notice as they pass by a semi-truck is the front part.
Christmas fixture such as a wreath, bow, or miniature Christmas tree on the hood, grille, and bumper area can be added for decoration.
Some lights around the truck can bring more festive feeling.
Many truck drivers add a string of lights to both inside and outside of their trucks.
It’s also fun to show off your rig to other truckers and “out Christmas” them.
Celebrate with Other Drivers
There are many truck drivers that spent Christmas on the road.
That means they usually gather at some truck stops.
You can stop and meet with some of your fellow drivers, have a meal together, talk about each other’s families, show some pictures.
Having some company during this holiday, can make everyone feel less lonely.
Look Out for Free Truck Stop Meals
Some truck stops recognize how it feels to be away from family dinner on Christmas night, so they offer free meals that can bring the drivers a little taste of home.
Contact the Family
Set-up a Skype or a FaceTime with your loved ones, preferably during a holiday meal.
Streaming video can put you right at the table.
You can also read a story to your kids.
Bring the Holiday on the Road
There are many ways to bring the holiday spirit in your truck cab.
Starting from listening to Christmas songs, add a small tree in your cabin, have a candy cane in the lunchbox, watch Christmas movies during the rest breaks, the options are countless.
Driver testimonials about trucking on Christmas
RoadPro Family of Brands asked truckers for their experiences driving on the holidays.
Here’s what they had to say:
“At the end of the day, it is just another day on the road.
In 12 years of trucking, I have only been home for Christmas Day once. I try to take part in the family activities of presents etc. either with a phone call where I listen in or a video session on Facebook or Skype so I can see what is going on. It makes being away a lot easier to handle.” – Tom Kyrk, RoadPro Pro Driver Council.
“I have been on the road almost every year over Christmas and New Year.
I don’t remember any special moments, events or treatment. My favorite thing being on the road those days is that most weigh stations are closed, truck stops are empty, no waiting in the fuel line. It’s incredibly peaceful.” – Brita Nowak, RoadPro Pro Driver Council.
“I’m usually in on the actual holiday.
I have only been out a couple times on Thanksgiving and Easter. I was just happy to sit down to a traditional dinner at a truck stop. Then it was back to the road as any other day.” – Libby Clayton, RoadPro Pro Driver Council.
“I’ve had a couple truck stops wish me holiday greetings and prepare a wonderful feast.
Some offer a few extra points during a fill up or free shower.
The best Christmas I had at a truck stop was 2 years ago at the TA in Buckhorn, PA, on Christmas Eve.
The chaplain came around with a little Christmas care package for the drivers, a few small things and an invitation to watch a Christmas movie in the chapel. It was one of the most relaxing evenings I have had in years.
Then, on Christmas Day a local church brought a wrapped Christmas box to all the drivers.
In it were things like gloves, socks, snacks, a pen and paper and little things that come in handy on the road, such as personal care items. I had heard of people doing things like that for drivers, but this was the first time I had experienced it.” – Ryan Sexton, RoadPro Pro Driver Council
Christmas Gifts for Truck Drivers
While truck drivers are Santa`s biggest helpers for delivering the gifts, they also deserve a gift to fulfill the holiday spirit.
We made a list of some practical gifts that every trucker would be happy to get:
– Stereo Satellite Radio
The Satellite Radio is a great gift with whom drivers can enjoy their time on the road.
They can listen to some of their favorite trucking songs and make their ride more fun.
– Snack Basket
On a long-haul drive, truck drivers need to keep some snacks in the truck.
Snack Basket can keep the snacks organized with a variety of flavors.
– Polarized Sunglasses
Polarized sunglass lenses reduce light glare and eyestrain.
Because of this, they improve vision and safety in the sun.
These glasses are making the driving in the light of day much easier and more pleasant.
– Mini Fridge
Mini Fridge`s are the best option for truck drivers.
It gives drivers the ability to pack options they like and eat healthier.
– Pillow Supportive Seat Cushion
The orthopedic tailbone cushion helps by positioning the spine for healthy posture.
The ergonomic seat cushion helps to relieve sciatic nerve, lumbar or lower back pain, or pressure sores.
Unlike other cushions, the seat pillow supports good blood circulation—the perfect gift for anyone who is driving long distances in the big rig.
– Slow Cooker
A slow cooker is one of the best ways to save money on the road.
Truck stops offer a lot of pricey and unhealthy food options.
With a gadget like this one, drivers can cook healthy and nutritious meals in their cab.
– Vacuum Bottle
A vacuum bottle can help truck drivers stay hydrated without making frequent and costly stops to refill their drink.
– A CB Radio
A CB Radio gives truck drivers the ability to communicate with their fellow drivers while on the road.
– Portable Coffee Brewer
Truck Drivers love coffee and having a portable coffee brewer can make their life easier on the road.
– Personalized Trucker Mug
Truck drivers can drink their coffee in a personalized coffee mug.
– Shower Kit
A shower kit includes soap, shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream, razors, baby wipes, toothpaste, toothbrush and nail clippers.
Basically, what every trucker needs for keeping a good hygiene.
– A New Truck Mattress
A high-density foam mattress can fit perfectly in a cab of the truck.
Truck drivers spend the majority of their time driving, so having a comfortable mattress can provide a state of physical ease.
– Bluetooth Headset
Having a Bluetooth headset can allow drivers to talk to their fleet manager, family or friends while keeping their hands free to drive.
– Dash Cam
The Dash-Cam is a small video camera placed on the dashboard of the truck.
It records the activity on the road.
The main purpose is to increase the truck driver safety, improve driver behavior, and use the video footage as evidence in case of an accident.
– Keychain
A keychain is a great way for a trucker to personalize a piece they always look at or have on them.
– Work Gloves
Gloves are a perfect gift for truck driver since they can protect the hands and also absorb moisture and chemicals.
– Black Out Sleep Mask
Putting on an eye cover for sleep can be part of a calming bedtime routine.
Truck drivers work late night shifts so a sleep mask can be very helpful gift.
– Tactical Wallet
This product is not just an average wallet.
It also comes with a lot of different tools that can be useful to the trucker’s daily routine.
– Work Boots
Truck driver spent long days while driving, so they need comfortable and orthopedic driving shoes.
Trucker boots allow drivers to stay safe during pre-trip inspections, while unloading freight and in a wide variety of weather conditions.
– 120 Piece First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit is the most important thing to have in case of an accident.
– Electric Blanket
During a long period of driving in the winter, a heated blanket is a very handy gift.
– Audible Membership
Audiobooks can make truck drivers day go by faster.
Audible provides library of audiobooks, professionally narrated.
– Cell Phone Mount
Truck drivers need to keep their eyes on the road so they can do their job safely.
Phones distract truck drivers.
Phone mount is a safer option for phone use on the road.
– Trucker Shirt
– EpicVue Direct TV
Truck drivers can enjoy quality satellite TV anywhere they stop for rest.
EpicVue Direct TV has subscription packages to keep up drivers with their favorite shows, news, sports, and weather.
– Exercise Equipment
It is essential to add physical activity in your lifestyle especially if you’re truck driver.
Conclusion
Christmas can be a busy holiday for truck drivers.
It is more than clear that the truck cannot replace the home atmosphere on this day, but Christmas is not just a date.
Christmas is a feeling and it can be celebrated whenever you want with your loved ones.
