US scientists calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world's presents on Christmas Eve, travelling at 650 miles a second.
415
In 1999, residents of the state of Maine in America built the world's biggest ever snowman. He stood at 113ft tall.
103
The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
18
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
Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
251
Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
196
Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
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