7.6 million Christmas trees are sold each year.
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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
Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
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The sun sets on 24 December at 3.55pm in the UK, and rises the following morning at 8.05am.
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'Klaxon' is a name that does not belong to one of Santa's reindeer. A klaxon is actually a powerful electric horn. Its name comes from a German word meaning "shriek".
3
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
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Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
251
The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
18