Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14
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
Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
62
Many theologians estimate that Jesus wasn't born on December 25 but sometime in September between 6BC and 30AD.
42
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 abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
113