The Christmas tree displayed in Trafalgar square in London is an annual gift to the UK from Norway since 1947. The Norwegian spruce given is a token of appreciation of British friendship during World War II from the Norwegian people.
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The first Christmas card was designed in 1843 by J.C. Horsley.
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The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
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Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
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Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
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Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
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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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