Many theologians estimate that Jesus wasn't born on December 25 but sometime in September between 6BC and 30AD.
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The tradition of putting tangerines in stockings comes from 12th-century French nuns who left socks full of fruit, nuts and tangerines at the houses of the poor.
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The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
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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.
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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.
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Nearly 60 million Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe.
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Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
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