The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
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.
191
Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
20
The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
82
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
Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
62
The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
18
