Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
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The first Christmas card was designed in 1843 by J.C. Horsley.
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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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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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The Christmas tree displayed in Trafalgar square in London is an annual gift to the UK from Norway since 1947. The Norwegian spruce given is a token of appreciation of British friendship during World War II from the Norwegian people.
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Popular belief holds that 3 wise men visited Bethlehem from the east bearing gifts. However there is no mention in the bible about the number of wise men who visited. Three gifts were brought - gold, frankincense and myrrh, but names commonly attributed t
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Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
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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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