Top 5 for Carollers

The Christmas season is a time for list-making... the wish list, the gift list, the grocery list, Santa's naughty and nice list, and now, the flag list. This holiday list is for all those people out there who love Christmas so much that they just have to sing about it.

Merry Christmas everyone!

1. Flag of North Pole, Alaska, USA

"Where the spirit of Christmas lives year 'round" is this small city's motto, and they're not kidding. No matter the season, in North Pole you'll find candy cane light poles, Christmas themed street names, the Santa Claus House, and real live reindeer (and the flag is undoubtedly the most festive government flag in the world)! I want to go!

2. Flag of Norfolk Island, Australia

Number 2 on my list is the Flag of Norfolk Island (also found in the "Top 5 for Tree Huggers" list). A potted Norfolk Island Pine is an ideal choice for a living Christmas tree. Unlike most Christmas trees, this tree thrives indoors, making it an easily maintained houseplant that can be decorated year after year during the holiday season.

3. Flag of Palestine  

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)

The white, red and green of Palestine's flag are just an added Christmas bonus. This flag made the list because Bethlehem is found within the country's borders, which is, of course, the birthplace of Jesus (aka "The Reason for the Season"). For more information, please consult The Holy Bible.

4. Flag of Christmas Island, Australia

Christmas Island could be mistaken for a fairy tale land where snow and toys and candy abound, but in actuality this territory of Australia is tropical, boasting lush rainforest and Golden Bosuns, a bird unique to Christmas Island and illustrated on the flag. The territory was named in 1643 by William Mynors, a captain who was sailing past the island on Christmas Day.  

In the Republic of Kiribati, one will find another Christmas Island (or Kiritimati), this one discovered by Captain James Cook on Christmas Eve in 1777.

5. Flag of Turkey

This flag didn't make the Top 5 because it sounds like the main course of a Christmas meal (although the poultry is in fact named after the country). Modern day Turkey is where the ancient region of Lycia is located (once a region of Greece), the birthplace and home of another notable Christmas figure... Saint Nicholas. Every year, thousands of people make a pilgrimage to Turkey's southern coast to discover the origins of the true Santa Claus, a Christian bishop who was known to perform several miracles, later becoming the Patron Saint of Greece, as well as children, students, sailors and merchants, among other places and professions. The story of Saint Nick has obviously evolved, but he was always known for being a generous gift giver, especially to those who needed it most.