There are 13 Santas in Iceland, each leaving a gift for children. They come down from the mountain one by one, starting on December 12 and have names like Spoon Licker, Door Sniffer and Meat Hook.
191
The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
18
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
Nearly 60 million Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe.
74
One town in Indiana is called Santa Claus. There is also a Santa, Idaho.
122
The first Christmas card was designed in 1843 by J.C. Horsley.
38
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
7.6 million Christmas trees are sold each year.
100