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
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
113
The definition of a white Christmas in the UK is for a single snow flake (perhaps amongst a shower of mixed rain and snow) to be observed falling in the 24 hours of December 25th.
32
Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
20
The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273
Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
196
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.
36
In Greek legend, malicious creatures called Kallikantzaroi sometimes play troublesome pranks at Christmas time. In order to get rid of them, salt or an old shoe is burnt. The pungent burning stench drives off, or at least helps discourage, the Kallikantza
6