The three traditional colors used for most Christmas decorations have religious significance. Ukrainians decorate their Christmas trees with spider webs. Electric Christmas tree lights were first used in 1895. For many years, this was the common theme for the jolly old man at the North Pole. They were originally baked at the end of harvest and some of the cake was saved to be eaten at the beginning to the harvest the following year as people thought that would bring a good crop. During World War II, the Bicycle playing card company made decks of cards and gave them to the prisoners of war in Germany with hidden escape routes revealed when the cards were soaked in water as Christmas presents. Christmas is not a Biblical holy day as it is not mentioned in the Bible. Every year, Europeans decorate about 50 million live Christmas trees and the United States about 35 million. Each year, approximately ten million Christmas turkeys are eaten in the U.K. and 22 million in the United States. Many of the origins of Christmas and its “factual” past can be contradictory, so you may find some surprises in our list of interesting facts about Christmas. Christmas trees were banned by President Teddy Roosevelt in the White House in 1901 because the President was concerned about the environmental effects, but his sons decorated a small tree cut on the White House grounds and hid it in a closet until Christmas morning. First recorded in 1038, old English provided the word Christmas from Cristes mæsse, which means “Christ Mass.”. Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, was German and is credited with establishing the popularity of the Christmas tree in England in the mid-nineteenth century. Red if for the blood of Jesus Christ, green symbolizes His resurrection, and gold His status as the King of kings. It is estimated that the single “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin is the best selling single of all time, with over 100 million sales worldwide. The Latin word natalis, which means “day of birth,” is the origin the word Noel. Have fun! Getty Images. Tell us in the comments below! In fact, many of the symbols and customs we associate with Christmas began with winter solstice rituals and pagan festivals. It is a tradition in Japan to eat KFC for Christmas. Fun, Interesting Christmas Facts for Kids Some people say the Christmas season officially begins when Santa arrives at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Newspaper publishers hate publishing phone numbers as the potential for a mistake is high. The word “Merry” in Merry Christmas was not always accepted because being merry used to signify slight intoxication. The Christmas tree was 221 feet tall! Treasure Island writer, Robert Louis Stevenson willed his November 13th birthday to the daughter of a friend who hated her Christmas birthday. #1 . Toys for Tots was founded in L.A. 5,000 toys were collected during the first drive in 1947. The exact dates of the summer school holidays differs from state to state in Australia, but generally school students have about six weeks of holidays, starting about a week before Christmas. 45 Amazing Facts Everyone Should Know. Orders must be placed two months in advance. 45 Fun and Festive Christmas Appetizers That Serve 2 People The best part about Christmas dinner is the snacks beforehand, and if that statement is wrong, we don't want to be right. January 4, 2013. It weighs 225 tons and thus you could consider it as the biggest Christmas gift in the world . Historically, St. Nicholas lived in the province of Lycia in the 4th century A.D. The most popular theory of why we leave cookies and milk out for Santa is because Dutch children would leave food and drink out for St. Nicholas on his feast day. Unsurprisingly, the Church doesn't have much to say about them at all. To end your curiosity i have compiled 45 Fun Facts About Christmas, Easter & Valentines Day. The original location for the 1947 Miracle on 34th Street movie was the N.Y. Macy’s in Herald Square. The Statue of Liberty was gifted to the US by the French on Christmas day in 1886. Ever wonder about the string on a box of animal crackers? Denny’s restaurants in the United States originally stayed open all day and night, so their buildings were built without locks. Many people abbreviate Christmas “Xmas,” which is actually based upon X being the first letter of Jesus Christ’s name in Greek. Rudolph the Reindeer was created by the U.S. department store Montgomery Ward to get children to buy Christmas coloring books, however, his nose was not red as they did not want him to appear as a chronic alcoholic. Best Christmas crackers for 2017 including everything from the unusual to … This happy holiday is celebrated differently. Neighbors would visit on Christmas Eve and drink to each other’s health (ves heill meant “in good health” in Old Norse). Christmas used to be illegal. SHARES. Children who write letters to Santa Clause in the United States have their letters delivered to Santa Clause, Indiana. Early pictures of St. Nicolas show him with a stern expression. The tallest Christmas tree ever displayed was in Seattle Washington in 1950. The characters in The Nightmare Before Christmas are a result of Tim Burton hallucinating from a fever. The two days right before Christmas are. From the meaning of mistletoe to the original date and St. Nick's backstory, these surprising Christmas facts will help you strike up holiday conversation. What kind of music do elves listen to? Looking for hard to believe facts, look no more. It sells gluhwein (spiced, mulled wine), sweets, sausages, and Christmas decorations and ornaments. And don’t forget to treat your friends and family to a few personalized stocking stuffers or personalized ornaments. Clement Moore’s poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas” introduced Santa’s eight reindeer named Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, and Cupid, plus Duner and Blixem (German words for thunder and lightning which later evolved into Donner and Blitzen). Although it’s observed around the world, many of us celebrate without knowing how our traditions got started or what they signify. Thus, “Santa Tracker” began. Christmas trees usually grow for close to 15 years before they can be sold. BY Jason English. The tallest christmas tree ever displayed was in Seattle, Washington. 1 in 3 men wait until Christmas Eve to do their shopping. With all of the holiday parties, you’re bound to need at least a couple of fun Christmas games to play! Dear Santa, please just leave s under the tree, It’s Time to Celebrate, let the light shine brig, Chocolate Strawberries in Red Velvet Heart Box wil, Don’t be elfish, oops we mean selfish! Fun Christmas Facts For Kids They Will Love: Here are some fun facts about Christmas for kids that you can share: The Christmas trees are also known as Yule trees. 45 SCOTUS Congress Facts First 2020 Election Business Markets ... Christmas Fast Facts. Mistletoe was an ancient symbol of virility, so someone stood under it if they were available to the opposite sex. A Christmas wreath with holly represents the blood Jesus shed (the red berries) and the crown of thorns. Christmas celebrations occur all over the world, although the day on which it is celebrated varies, as well as the decorations, food, and customs. Nearly six million dollars are spent during the holiday season on ugly Christmas sweaters. Letters to Santa Clause from the millions of kids all over the world go to a Canadian Post Office if the zip code is HOH OHO (“Ho, Ho, Ho”). In 1980, the highest selling Christmas toy was a Rubik’s cube for $1.99. 36. If you are really in to recycling, you can eat your Christmas tree. In the 1800s, artificial Christmas trees were made from dyed goose feathers or the stuff hula skirts were made from – green raffia. Franklin Pierce was the first President who put up an official White House Christmas tree. The Internet lists nearly fifty funny Christmas songs, including “Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire,” “Christmas Don’t Be Late” (the Chipmunk Song), and “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.”. On Christmas Eve in 2001, the Bethlehem Hotel had 208 of its 210 rooms free. The idea of Christmas elves came from Scandinavian folklore in the 19th Century. Additionally, tinsel, which was once made of actual silver, is traced to 1610 in Germany. We wish you a day full of sp, Rocking around the Christmas , with snack that, Winter is for staying in and seeing the frost spar, Christmas is so close we can almost taste it. It actually stands for “Chi”, meaning Christ in Greek. “Jingle Bells,” originally called “One Horse Open Sleigh,” was composed in Massachusetts by James Pierpont as a Thanksgiving song and was the first song sung on December 15, 1965 by astronauts Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra while they were in space. There were no trees or presents, just a religious mass. Christmas tree facts; Nearly 60 million Christmas … Other names for this holiday figure include Le Befana in Italy, Dueshka Moroz (“Father Frost”) in Russia, Kriss Kringle in Germany, and Pere Noel in French. Subjects included English, U.S. and world history and geography, math, earth and physical science, Bible, information technologies, and creative writing. Brenda Lee was only thirteen years old when she recorded “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” in 1958. “We won’t go until we get some, so bring some out here.”. [8] There are approximately 21,000 Christmas tree farms in the United States. Visa cards are used about 6,000 times every minute during the Christmas season. A “sugar plum” featured in Christmas poems and songs was a type of candy with dried fruit, usually a plum, and spices rolled into a ball and coated with chocolate or hard sugar candy. Festival is a medium of delight that unleash the jovial within you and you will find it as a source of bliss, cheer and a change from routine. 45 of the Best Christmas Party Games. #ShareThe, December babies can be either a Sagittarius or a C, Today is #GivingTuesday which is a global movement, Let’s hear some cheers for our local chocolatier, Happy Thanksgiving! Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has the largest floating Christmas tree in the world; it is 278 feet tall. One can eat more than 7,000 calories at Christmas when you add up the turkey, dressing, mashed and sweet potatoes, other sides, pie, rolls, and drinks. The song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” originally was sung by servants to demand alcoholic drinks from their masters. The biggest display of lights ever made is in Australia. It is believed that Sir Henry Cole of London, England sold the first Christmas cards in 1843. In Asia, White Elephants were considered holy but pricey to keep. Santa Claus originally appeared in a newspaper ad. Although most of the names sound male, they were probably female, as male reindeer shed antlers in winter. 33 Christmas Movie Facts That May Actually Surprise You. Here are a bunch of the best jokes to keep you merry this christmas! This is one of the scariest Central European Christmas traditions. Over half of American pet owners will buy gifts for their furry friends this Christmas, spending an overage of $46. Ezra Corness adapted that term to gifts at Christmas gatherings – no value to the owner but may have value to others. Used for artificial trees, they could hold heavy decorations and were not flammable. David Richards has used his home to raise $20,000 for SIDS and Kids ACT since 2011. 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