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
The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14
The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
18
Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
251
The definition of a white Christmas in the UK is for a single snow flake (perhaps amongst a shower of mixed rain and snow) to be observed falling in the 24 hours of December 25th.
32
The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
15