Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
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Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14
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 first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
Nearly 60 million Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe.
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Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
20
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
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