The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
82
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.
42
Nearly 60 million Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe.
74
Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
62
Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14
The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
15
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