The "Urn of Fate" is part of the Christmas celebrations in many Italian households. The Urn of Fate is brought out on Christmas Eve. It holds a wrapped present for everyone. The mother tries her luck first, then the others in turn. If you get a present wi
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Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
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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.
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Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
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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 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 typical image we have of Santa Claus dressed in red clothes with white fur trim, is an amalgamation of cultural input over many years. Some people claim the image of Santa we know today is from Coca-cola advertising, but this simply isn't true. The st
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Black Friday in the UK is the Friday before Christmas. Instead of shopping, many people get very drunk!
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