Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
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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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The first Christmas card was designed in 1843 by J.C. Horsley.
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Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
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Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
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Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
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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.
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English Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas between 1647 and 1660 because he believed such celebrations were immoral for the holiest day of the year.
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