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
Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14
Nearly 60 million Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe.
74
The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
82
Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
251
At Christmas, it is traditional to exchange kisses beneath the mistletoe tree. In ancient Scandinavia, mistletoe was associated with peace and friendship. That may account for the custom of "kissing beneath the mistletoe".
27
The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
18
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