Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
33
One town in Indiana is called Santa Claus. There is also a Santa, Idaho.
122
In Greek legend, malicious creatures called Kallikantzaroi sometimes play troublesome pranks at Christmas time. In order to get rid of them, salt or an old shoe is burnt. The pungent burning stench drives off, or at least helps discourage, the Kallikantza
6
7.6 million Christmas trees are sold each year.
100
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 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.
42
Many theologians estimate that Jesus wasn't born on December 25 but sometime in September between 6BC and 30AD.
42
Black Friday in the UK is the Friday before Christmas. Instead of shopping, many people get very drunk!
10