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
The sun sets on 24 December at 3.55pm in the UK, and rises the following morning at 8.05am.
81
The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
82
The Christmas tree displayed in Trafalgar square in London is an annual gift to the UK from Norway since 1947. The Norwegian spruce given is a token of appreciation of British friendship during World War II from the Norwegian people.
35
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
Nearly 60 million Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe.
74
The first Christmas card was designed in 1843 by J.C. Horsley.
38

