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
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Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
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The "Urn of Fate" is part of the Christmas celebrations in many Italian households. The Urn of Fate is brought out on Christmas Eve. It holds a wrapped present for everyone. The mother tries her luck first, then the others in turn. If you get a present wi
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The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
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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.
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7.6 million Christmas trees are sold each year.
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Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
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Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
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