The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
15
US scientists calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world's presents on Christmas Eve, travelling at 650 miles a second.
415
7.6 million Christmas trees are sold each year.
100
Nearly 60 million Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe.
74
Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
20
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
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
113
Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
62