The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown, will host a slide-lecture and discussion titled “Christmas Among the Pennsylvania Dutch” at 1 p.m. Dec. 9.

The slide-lecture will discuss old-time Pennsylvania Dutch holiday customs. In the 1700s and early 1800s, many Pennsylvanians did not celebrate Christmas. Some churches at that time did not celebrate or observe this holiday because many holiday traditions have pagan origins. For the Pennsylvania Germans who settled the Lehigh Valley, however, Christmas was a religious holiday with other folk traditions attached to it. Folk traditions included the tradition of decorating Christmas trees and the idea of a magical Christmas gift-giver, important contributions to American popular culture. Other holiday traditions also share Pennsylvania German origins, including the custom of eating poultry for Christmas dinner, thought by the Pennsylvania Dutch to bring good luck.

Admission is free to members. There is a fee for nonmembers.