Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
20
Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
196
English Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas between 1647 and 1660 because he believed such celebrations were immoral for the holiest day of the year.
26
7.6 million Christmas trees are sold each year.
100
The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
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
The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273