Louis Prang, a Bavarian-born lithographer who came to the USA from Germany in the 19th century, popularized the sending of printed Christmas cards. He invented a way of reproducing color oil paintings
, the "chromolithograph technique", and created a car
, the "chromolithograph technique", and created a car
1
Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
196
Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
20
In Sweden, a common Christmas decoration is the Julbukk, a small figurine of a goat. It is usually made of straw. Scandinavian Christmas festivities feature a variety of straw decorations in the form of stars, angels, hearts and other shapes, as well as t
2
Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
33
The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
18
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
113
Black Friday in the UK is the Friday before Christmas. Instead of shopping, many people get very drunk!
10