Christmas trees become popular in the UK from 1841 when Prince Albert erected a tree in Windsor Castle following a German tradition. Fir trees have been decorated at Christmas time in Germany since the 8th century.
20
The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
In many households, part of the fun of eating Christmas pudding is finding a trinket that predicts your fortune for the coming year. For instance, finding a coin means you will become wealthy. A ring means you will get married; while a button predicts bac
26
The sun sets on 24 December at 3.55pm in the UK, and rises the following morning at 8.05am.
81
The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
15
Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
33
Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
196
In 1999, residents of the state of Maine in America built the world's biggest ever snowman. He stood at 113ft tall.
103