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.
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The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
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Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
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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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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
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Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
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Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
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Black Friday in the UK is the Friday before Christmas. Instead of shopping, many people get very drunk!
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