Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
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US scientists calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world's presents on Christmas Eve, travelling at 650 miles a second.
415
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
The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
15
Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
62
7.6 million Christmas trees are sold each year.
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