The definition of a white Christmas in the UK is for a single snow flake (perhaps amongst a shower of mixed rain and snow) to be observed falling in the 24 hours of December 25th.
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In 1999, residents of the state of Maine in America built the world's biggest ever snowman. He stood at 113ft tall.
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The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
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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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English Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas between 1647 and 1660 because he believed such celebrations were immoral for the holiest day of the year.
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Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
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The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
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Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
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