The definition of a white Christmas in the UK is for a single snow flake (perhaps amongst a shower of mixed rain and snow) to be observed falling in the 24 hours of December 25th.
32
Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14
The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
82
Nearly 60 million Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe.
74
Santa Claus has many different names around the world including Father Christmas in the UK, Pere Noel in France, Kriss Kringle in Germany, La Befana in Italy, Julinesse in Denmark, Dedushka Moroz (meaning Grandfather Frost) in Russia and the Three Kings i
22
Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
20
Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
196
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.
5