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 26th of December is traditionally known as St Stephen's Day, but is more commonly known as Boxing Day. The reason it was called this is either alms boxes in church were opened and the money distributed to the poor, or alternatively it was named from t
-1
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
Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
251
The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
Black Friday in the UK is the Friday before Christmas. Instead of shopping, many people get very drunk!
10
7.6 million Christmas trees are sold each year.
100
The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
82