The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273
The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
One town in Indiana is called Santa Claus. There is also a Santa, Idaho.
122
Santa Claus has many different names around the world including Father Christmas in the UK, Pere Noel in France, Kriss Kringle in Germany, La Befana in Italy, Julinesse in Denmark, Dedushka Moroz (meaning Grandfather Frost) in Russia and the Three Kings i
22
US scientists calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world's presents on Christmas Eve, travelling at 650 miles a second.
415
Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
62
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
Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14