Christmas is one of my favorite holidays for many reasons. I love the traditions, the food, the gifts, and the story of Christmas. Here are some interesting Christmas facts that you may or may not know.
1. Santa Claus flying his sleigh
http://alexasteroidastrology.com/astrology-of-santa-asteroid/
The image didn't begin until 1819. Washington Irving is the one that created the image. I can't imagine a Santa without a sleigh.
2. The original Rudolph didn't have his famous red nose
https://gazette.com/opinion/editorial-rudolph-the-racist-reindeer-show/article_861c0852-f82f-11e8-91e1-f346c0160351.html
Back in the day, a red nose was an indicator of chronic alcoholism. Montgomery Ward didn't want Rudolph to seem like he had that.
3. Rudolph was almost named Reginald or Rollo
https://www.bostonherald.com/2018/12/01/rudolph-problematic-oh-deer/
So, instead, it could have been Reginald or Rollo who saved the day instead of Rudolph.
4. Dutch children left food and drink for St. Nicholas
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/short-interesting-history-milk-cookies-tradition
We continue that tradition today with cookies and milk.
And now, I want cookie and milk! It sounds so good.
5. Norse children left food for Santa's reindeer
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/216524694558811196/
Dutch children also adopted this tradition. They left food in their wooden shoes for St. Nicholas' horse.
6. America's first batch of eggnog
https://www.liquor.com/recipes/eggnog/
The first batch of eggnog was made in the year of 1607 in the town of Jamestown.
The eggnog in the picture looks every daygood. Not going to lie.
7. Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/norway-clearly-hates-london-trafalgar-square-christmas-tree-comes-under-fire-after-unveiling-a3410271.html
The Christmas Tree is donated to the people of London every year by the people from Oslo, Norway. It's their way of giving thanks for their assistance during the second world war.
8. The Christmas Truce
https://fee.org/articles/the-christmas-truce-of-world-war-i/
The Christmas Truce happen in 1914 during the first world war between the British and the Germans in the trenches. They exchanged gifts in no man's land, played football, and decorated their shelters.
9. The Christmas Wreath
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcEdPv_Mm50
It was hung as a symbol of Jesus originally. A tradition that we have in our household is that we always put a
10. The three traditional colors of Christmas
https://picclick.com/Colored-Ball-Garland-105-Christmas-Tree-Decoration-Red-292060451316.html
They are red, green and gold. The red symbolizes the blood that Jesus, the green symbolized life and rebirth, and gold represent royalty and wealth.
11. Spiders are symbols of prosperity and goodness at Christmas time in Poland
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legend_of_the_Christmas_Spider
Spider webs are often used as tree decorations.
I really want to do this to my tree now.
12. Tinsel was invented in 1610 in Germany
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thick-Luxury-Metallic-Christmas-Tree-Tinsel-Decoration-Various-Colours-/272389884971
And tinsel was once made of real silver! Mind is blown. I wonder where they are now.
13. We don't know the exact date and month of Jesus' birth
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Christmas-Nativity-Scene-Jesus-Birthday-Edible-Cake-Topper-1-4-FROSTING-sheet-/252371282086
Even though we celebrate his birth of Jesus on December 25th, but no matter, it's still the fact that we still celebrate his birth. That's truly what is important
14. Jingle Bells was written for Thanksgiving not Christmas
https://www.indigofragrance.com/item_221/Jingle-Bells-Fragrance-Oil.htm
James Pierpont was the writer behind the song, and my mind is now blown. I didn't even know.
15. Coca-Cola was the first company to use Santa Claus during winter for their promotion
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/170292429634054468/
16. A Law In Britian
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_England
The law forbids you from not visiting church on Christmas, and you can not visit the church on a vehicle. But in real life, this law is not actually followed.
17. The Statue of Liberty
https://www.bhg.com/shop/stonehouse-collection-santa-and-the-statue-of-liberty-funny-christmas-holiday-cards-18-cards-and-19-envelopes-pae86efae3368ceabedf888c0a705e68a.html
On Christmas Day, the French gave the statue as a gift to the United States in 1886.
Thank you France for this amazing gift!
18. The first Christmas was celebrated
https://citywonders.com/blog/Italy/Rome/christmas-in-rome
The first Christmas was celebrated on December 25, 336 AD in Rome.
19. Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states In the US
https://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/americas-tallest-christmas-trees
Just can't get enough.
California, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina are the top Christmas tree producing states in the United States.
Go Wisconsin! Sorryevery day not sorry.
20. In 1915, Hallmark introduced their Christmas Cards
https://www.amazon.com/Hallmark-Christmas-Holiday-Matching-Envelopes/dp/B01LYQ1VBH
Christmas Cards are great, and you better believe that I'm sending people some.
21. Christmas tree decoration
https://www.balsamhill.com/p/silver-and-gold-picks
This is believed to have originated from Germany in the 16th century.
22. Christmas trees were first decorated with fruits
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/513058582528934110/
Later, people started using candles, and then in 1895, people started to use electric lights.
If I used food, I would just eat it. So, that wouldn't be good. I would love to use candles since I have a love for candles. That would be kind of cool.
23. The largest floating Christmas tree in the world
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2014/12/01/worlds-largest-floating-christmas-tree-is-lit-in-rio/
The largest floating Christmas tree is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and it is is 278 freet tall. That's a really big tree. I want to go to Rio to check out this tree.
24. The tallest living Christmas tree
https://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/americas-tallest-christmas-trees
It's the Douglas fir in the town of Woodinville, Washington. It's 122 feet tall, and 81 years old.
25. In Italy, Christmas dinner can last for more than 4 hours
Most Italian families have more than 7 courses for dinner.
This sounds like a lot of fun.
I learned a lot from this. There were a few things I didn't know while there were other things I did know. You learn something new every day, and I hope you did too.
