via bbc.co.uk
"Santa's crimson and fur-lined coat? Shiny holly leaves and berries? Colourful poisonous, hallucinogenic mushrooms? Or medieval paintings in East Anglian churches? Just how did red, green and white become the conventional colours of Christmas? Dr Spike Bucklow from Cambridge University's Hamilton Kerr Institute is questioning the common belief that the traditional festive shades are a legacy of the Victorians. For the past three years, he has researched the art history of medieval wooden rood screens in churches across Norfolk and Suffolk. Here - from the bright rainbow palette of the 21st Century Christmas - he travels back in time to present a theory on who might have colour-coded Christmas." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16189761#
Christmas by Colour Project
Another interesting colour project is the 'Christmas by Colour' project's exploration into the colours that shape Christmas - by Mancherster based design agency Raw http://www.weareraw.co.uk/
Frustrated at the plethora of Christmas reds, whites and greens Raw decided to explore the colours people really associate with their Christmas. Thousands of people from around the world embraced the project and relished the opportunity to suggest their own colour and its personal meaning. Raw then handpicked the best to go on their nice list and be featured on the popular Pantone-inspired A1 poster." http://www.christmasbycolour.co.uk