Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
33
Popular belief holds that 3 wise men visited Bethlehem from the east bearing gifts. However there is no mention in the bible about the number of wise men who visited. Three gifts were brought - gold, frankincense and myrrh, but names commonly attributed t
101
Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
196
Many theologians estimate that Jesus wasn't born on December 25 but sometime in September between 6BC and 30AD.
42
The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
15
The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273
The first Christmas card was designed in 1843 by J.C. Horsley.
38