10 Interesting Christmas Facts and Trivia

By Team TMC

‘Tis the season to be jolly and while you get together with family and friends, run through these bits of trivia, deck up in colours of Christmas, hum a couple of carols and be merry!

1) Ho Ho Ho!

Don’t be stumped when someone goes Ho Ho Ho! close to your ears. Santa’s character is visualized as a joyous, portly man with a round belly and deep throated laughter, which sounds like Ho Ho Ho!

Source: cardsdirect.com

2) Santa’s many names

Saint Nicholas with his long white beard and Bishop’s red coat inspired the creation of Santa, who is also called ‘Father Christmas’ in the UK and ‘Pere Noel’ in France.

3) Santa’s snacks

Kids have a special attraction for Christmas and as folklore goes, kids would leave out snacks of cookies and milk for Santa to have a quick bite, while he went about his business of distributing presents.

4) Santa’s Travels

In children’s stories, Santa is believed to live in the North Pole and go around the world distributing gifts to children in a flying sleigh pulled by 8 reindeers. These reindeers are called Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dasher, Prancer, Vixen, Dancer and Donner.

Source: imagebasket.net

5) The most significant Christmas tree

According to tradition, every year, Norway gifts the UK a big Christmas tree that is placed at Trafalgar Square in the middle of London. This tree is a way of Norway saying ‘thank you’ to the English people for their support to Norway during World War II.

Source: express.co.uk

6) Christmas and the US

Christmas originated in Europe and it wasn’t until the 19th century that Americans embraced the festival. Alabama was the first state to recognize Christmas as an official holiday and Oklahoma was the last state that declared Christmas a legal holiday.

7) Snowflakes

Many parts of the world are snowed out during Christmas, so this is something you must know! Snowflakes are clear ice crystals that appear white in light. Snowflakes come in many shapes and sizes but the trivia you ought to remember is that the average snowflake has six points.

Source: demilked.com

8) Food and games

‘Julekake’ is a special bread with raisins, candied peel and cardamom, eaten around Christmas. Rice porridge is a delicacy for Christmas eve and if you are lucky enough to find an almond in your portion, you are given a pink or white marzipan pig.

9) Staying warm

For adults, Christmas beverage can’t be complete without the traditional eggnog that originated in England. Made with milk, sugar, whipped eggs with a generous dash of brandy, rum or bourbon, eggnog is refrigerated and ladled out of a large punch bowl.

Source: farmersalmanac.com

10) Christmas colours

While everyone plans to deck up in red and green for the office Christmas do, you can be the surprise factor. Two other colours traditionally associated with this festival are Gold and Silver. Try a combination of Green and Silver or Red and Gold to stand out.