The tradition of putting tangerines in stockings comes from 12th-century French nuns who left socks full of fruit, nuts and tangerines at the houses of the poor.
42
'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".
3
Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14
Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
20
One town in Indiana is called Santa Claus. There is also a Santa, Idaho.
122
Black Friday in the UK is the Friday before Christmas. Instead of shopping, many people get very drunk!
10
The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
82
At Christmas, it is traditional to exchange kisses beneath the mistletoe tree. In ancient Scandinavia, mistletoe was associated with peace and friendship. That may account for the custom of "kissing beneath the mistletoe".
27