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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One town in Indiana is called Santa Claus. There is also a Santa, Idaho.
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Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
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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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The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
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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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Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
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'Klaxon' is a name that does not belong to one of Santa's reindeer. A klaxon is actually a powerful electric horn. Its name comes from a German word meaning "shriek".
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