The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
18
There are 13 Santas in Iceland, each leaving a gift for children. They come down from the mountain one by one, starting on December 12 and have names like Spoon Licker, Door Sniffer and Meat Hook.
191
The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273
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
7.6 million Christmas trees are sold each year.
100
One town in Indiana is called Santa Claus. There is also a Santa, Idaho.
122
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
