The "Urn of Fate" is part of the Christmas celebrations in many Italian households. The Urn of Fate is brought out on Christmas Eve. It holds a wrapped present for everyone. The mother tries her luck first, then the others in turn. If you get a present wi
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The twelve days of Christmas are the days between Christmas Day and Epiphany (6th of January) and represent the length of time it took for the wise men from the East to visit the manger of Jesus after his birth.
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Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
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The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
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Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
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Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
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The sun sets on 24 December at 3.55pm in the UK, and rises the following morning at 8.05am.
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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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