The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
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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
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There are 13 Santas in Iceland, each leaving a gift for children. They come down from the mountain one by one, starting on December 12 and have names like Spoon Licker, Door Sniffer and Meat Hook.
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Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
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The first Christmas card was designed in 1843 by J.C. Horsley.
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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 first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
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