The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
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Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
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The twelve days of Christmas are the days between Christmas Day and Epiphany (6th of January) and represent the length of time it took for the wise men from the East to visit the manger of Jesus after his birth.
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Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
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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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Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
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Christmas trees become popular in the UK from 1841 when Prince Albert erected a tree in Windsor Castle following a German tradition. Fir trees have been decorated at Christmas time in Germany since the 8th century.
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One town in Indiana is called Santa Claus. There is also a Santa, Idaho.
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