Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
196
7.6 million Christmas trees are sold each year.
100
Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14
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
Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
20
'Klaxon' is a name that does not belong to one of Santa's reindeer. A klaxon is actually a powerful electric horn. Its name comes from a German word meaning "shriek".
3
The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
62