In Sweden, a common Christmas decoration is the Julbukk, a small figurine of a goat. It is usually made of straw. Scandinavian Christmas festivities feature a variety of straw decorations in the form of stars, angels, hearts and other shapes, as well as t
2
The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
82
Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
33
The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
18
The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273
Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
251
Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
196
Christmas trees become popular in the UK from 1841 when Prince Albert erected a tree in Windsor Castle following a German tradition. Fir trees have been decorated at Christmas time in Germany since the 8th century.
20