Frumenty was a spiced porridge, enjoyed by both rich and poor. It was a forerunner of modern Christmas puddings. It is linked in legend to the Celtic god Dagda, who stirred a porridge made up of all the good things of the earth.
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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 abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
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The first Christmas card was designed in 1843 by J.C. Horsley.
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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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The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
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The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
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Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
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