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
Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
196
The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273
The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
Nearly 60 million Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe.
74
The twelve days of Christmas are the days between Christmas Day and Epiphany (6th of January) and represent the length of time it took for the wise men from the East to visit the manger of Jesus after his birth.
36
English Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas between 1647 and 1660 because he believed such celebrations were immoral for the holiest day of the year.
26
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