The 26th of December is traditionally known as St Stephen's Day, but is more commonly known as Boxing Day. The reason it was called this is either alms boxes in church were opened and the money distributed to the poor, or alternatively it was named from t
-1
US scientists calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world's presents on Christmas Eve, travelling at 650 miles a second.
415
The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
15
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
Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14
The first Christmas card was designed in 1843 by J.C. Horsley.
38
7.6 million Christmas trees are sold each year.
100
The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273