Many theologians estimate that Jesus wasn't born on December 25 but sometime in September between 6BC and 30AD.
42
The tradition of putting tangerines in stockings comes from 12th-century French nuns who left socks full of fruit, nuts and tangerines at the houses of the poor.
42
The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
The sun sets on 24 December at 3.55pm in the UK, and rises the following morning at 8.05am.
81
Frumenty was a spiced porridge, enjoyed by both rich and poor. It was a forerunner of modern Christmas puddings. It is linked in legend to the Celtic god Dagda, who stirred a porridge made up of all the good things of the earth.
5
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
Black Friday in the UK is the Friday before Christmas. Instead of shopping, many people get very drunk!
10
The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
82