Fascinating Facts about Christmas
Did you know that the tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace originated from the story of Saint Nicholas?
In Japan, it is common to celebrate Christmas by eating KFC, as a result of a clever marketing campaign in the 1970s.
The largest ever Christmas cracker was nearly 63 meters long. That’s the length of 9 school buses!
Jingle Bells was originally composed as a Thanksgiving song and later became associated with Christmas.
The tradition of decorating Christmas trees dates back to ancient Egyptians who used to decorate their homes with palm branches during winter solstice.
The world’s largest snowman ever made was over 113 feet tall, which is taller than a 10-story building.
The iconic red suit worn by Santa Claus was first introduced by Coca-Cola in their advertising campaign in 19
8. The song White Christmas by Irving Berlin is the best-selling Christmas single of all time.
The first artificial Christmas tree was made out of goose feathers and was developed in Germany in the 19th century.
The tradition of sending and receiving Christmas cards started in England in the 19th century.
Santa Claus has different names in different countries, such as Father Christmas in England and Pere Noel in France.
The Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of Santa Claus impersonators is 18,112 participants.
In Sweden, it is common to celebrate Christmas by watching Donald Duck cartoons on TV every year.
Fascinating Facts about Christmas part 2
The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe dates back to ancient Norse mythology, where it was believed to bring good luck and fertility.
Alaska has the largest percentage of Christmas tree sales in the United States, due to its vast forests.
The average household in the United States spends around $1,000 on Christmas presents each year.
Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska.
The most expensive Christmas tree ever was worth over $11 million and was decorated with diamonds, sapphires, and rubies.
The first recorded Christmas celebration took place in Rome in AD 3
In Norway, people hide their brooms on Christmas Eve to prevent evil spirits and witches from stealing them.
The town of North Pole in Alaska receives thousands of letters addressed to Santa Claus every year.
The world’s most extensive Christmas store is Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, covering an area of 2.2 acres in Michigan, USA.
The idea of hanging ornaments on Christmas trees originated from the tradition of hanging apples on pine trees during winter solstice.
In Ukraine, it is customary to hang spiderwebs on Christmas trees, as it is believed to bring good luck and good fortune.
The tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa Claus is said to have started during the Great Depression as a way of teaching children the importance of sharing.
In Greece, Christmas presents are traditionally exchanged on January 1st, instead of December 25th.
The world’s tallest living Christmas tree is a coast redwood tree named Hyperion, measuring a staggering 379.7 feet.
The world’s oldest Christmas carol is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, which dates back to the 8th century.
The largest gathering of people wearing Santa hats was achieved by 18,112 participants in Northern Ireland.
The Poinsettia plant, which is commonly associated with Christmas, is named after the first US ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett, who brought the plant to America.
In Brazil, it is common to place upside-down Christmas trees, as it is believed to represent the Holy Trinity.
The largest gingerbread house ever made was over 21 feet tall and weighed over 35,000 pounds.
The world’s largest Christmas stocking measured 106 feet and 9 inches long.
The tradition of hanging mistletoe during Christmas dates back to the Druids, who believed it had healing powers.
In Mexico, the holiday season starts on December 16th with a nine-day celebration called Las Posadas.
The first electrically illuminated Christmas tree was created in 1882 by Edward H. Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison.
In Iceland, the Yule Lads are a group of mischievous creatures who visit children during the 13 nights leading up to Christmas.
The original date of December 25th for Christmas was chosen to coincide with the pagan celebrations of the winter solstice.
The tradition of exchanging gifts during Christmas is believed to have originated from the three wise men who presented gifts to baby Jesus.
In Italy, La Befana, a friendly witch, delivers gifts to children on Epiphany, which is celebrated on January 6th.
The world’s largest Santa Claus statue is located in Indiana, USA, and stands 38 feet tall.
The tradition of hanging stockings comes from the story of Saint Nicholas saving three poor girls by leaving gold in their stockings.
The first Christmas stamp was issued in Canada in 1898.
The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is said to have originated from Scandinavian mythology, where it represented peace and love.
The largest inedible gingerbread house was built in Texas, measuring over 39,000 cubic feet.