The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
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Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
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Popular belief holds that 3 wise men visited Bethlehem from the east bearing gifts. However there is no mention in the bible about the number of wise men who visited. Three gifts were brought - gold, frankincense and myrrh, but names commonly attributed t
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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.
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Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
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The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
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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".
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Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
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