The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273
The sun sets on 24 December at 3.55pm in the UK, and rises the following morning at 8.05am.
81
At Christmas, it is traditional to exchange kisses beneath the mistletoe tree. In ancient Scandinavia, mistletoe was associated with peace and friendship. That may account for the custom of "kissing beneath the mistletoe".
27
Nearly 60 million Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe.
74
Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
33
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
In 1999, residents of the state of Maine in America built the world's biggest ever snowman. He stood at 113ft tall.
103
The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
18