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.
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Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
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The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
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Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
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The twelve days of Christmas are the days between Christmas Day and Epiphany (6th of January) and represent the length of time it took for the wise men from the East to visit the manger of Jesus after his birth.
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Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
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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".
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