Bring on the festive cheer and get us in the holiday spirit with a collection of incredible Christmas facts! Whether you’re wanting to astound your family and friends at the dinner table or pass the time before the big day arrives, here are 25 of the most fascinating facts about Christmas.

History of Christmas

  1. The tradition of Christmas started in Rome as the birthday of the pagan god Mithra, and was celebrated on the 25th of December.

  2. The most popular Christmas carol is “Silent Night”. It was written in 1818 by an Austrian priest.

  3. Christmas became an annual public holiday in the United Kingdom during the 19th century.

Christmas Trivia

  1. The chances of a white Christmas in the United States is only 10 percent.

  2. It is estimated that around 350 million Christmas trees are sold each year across the globe.

  3. The poinsettia has become the official flower of Christmas.

  4. It is believed that more candles are lit on Christmas Day than any other single day of the year.

Christmas Shopping

  1. In 2018, around 141 million people in the US went Christmas shopping.

  2. The Christmas shopping season can officially begin the day after Thanksgiving.

  3. Over the Thanksgiving period and the ‘Cyber Monday’ sales, around 8.8 billion dollars was spent in the US alone.

  4. In 2019, the biggest toy trends were “Fortnite” and “Paw Patrol” related items.

Christmas Decorations

  1. The oldest Christmas tree ever lit was in Estonia, in 1441.

  2. The invention of electric Christmas lights began in 1880.

  3. UK spending on holiday decorations increases by 6-9% each year.

  4. Holly and ivy have been used in Christmas decorations since the 16th century.

Christmas Around the World

  1. In Spain, there is a unique tradition during the Christmas season, where a big-bellied, straw-filled creature is paraded around the streets filled with fireworks.

  2. In Iceland, the Yule Cat, or Jólakötturinn, is a giant cat creature said to roam around the snowy country-side eating anyone who doesn’t receive new clothes for Christmas.

  3. A Norwegian tradition is to include hidden wheat grains and small presents in the Christmas porridge.

  4. Australians often invite their loved ones over for a Christmas barbecue.

Christmas Foods

  1. The first Christmas cake was prepared in Europe in the 16th century.

  2. The most popular desserts in the UK during the festive season include Christmas pudding, mince pies, and Christmas cake.

  3. It is estimated that over 25 million mince pies are consumed during Christmas in the UK.

  4. Gingerbread has been baked in Europe since the 15th century.

Christmas Movies

  1. The 1939 “Wizard of Oz” is the most watched festive movie of all time.

  2. The Polar Express is the highest grossing animated Christmas movie, with a worldwide gross of over $300 million.

So that’s it – these are 25 fun Christmas facts that are sure to get you in the spirit of the holiday season. Whether you’re surprising your friends with a bit of Christmas trivia, indulging in some of your favorite seasonal foods, or cozying up for a festive movie night, we hope you’ve enjoyed this selection of fun holiday facts. Now, let the festivities begin!

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