The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
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The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
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The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
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Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
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The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
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Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
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At Christmas, it is traditional to exchange kisses beneath the mistletoe tree. In ancient Scandinavia, mistletoe was associated with peace and friendship. That may account for the custom of "kissing beneath the mistletoe".
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In Greek legend, malicious creatures called Kallikantzaroi sometimes play troublesome pranks at Christmas time. In order to get rid of them, salt or an old shoe is burnt. The pungent burning stench drives off, or at least helps discourage, the Kallikantza
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