The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
15
The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
113
Santa Claus has many different names around the world including Father Christmas in the UK, Pere Noel in France, Kriss Kringle in Germany, La Befana in Italy, Julinesse in Denmark, Dedushka Moroz (meaning Grandfather Frost) in Russia and the Three Kings i
22
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
The first Christmas card was designed in 1843 by J.C. Horsley.
38
Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
33