Santa Claus has many different names around the world including Father Christmas in the UK, Pere Noel in France, Kriss Kringle in Germany, La Befana in Italy, Julinesse in Denmark, Dedushka Moroz (meaning Grandfather Frost) in Russia and the Three Kings i
22
The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273
Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
62
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
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
113
7.6 million Christmas trees are sold each year.
100
Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14
Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
196
