Popular belief holds that 3 wise men visited Bethlehem from the east bearing gifts. However there is no mention in the bible about the number of wise men who visited. Three gifts were brought - gold, frankincense and myrrh, but names commonly attributed t
101
The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273
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
Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14
One town in Indiana is called Santa Claus. There is also a Santa, Idaho.
122
Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
20
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.
5
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