Christmas trees become popular in the UK from 1841 when Prince Albert erected a tree in Windsor Castle following a German tradition. Fir trees have been decorated at Christmas time in Germany since the 8th century.
20
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
-19
Santa Claus has many different names around the world including Father Christmas in the UK, Pere Noel in France, Kriss Kringle in Germany, La Befana in Italy, Julinesse in Denmark, Dedushka Moroz (meaning Grandfather Frost) in Russia and the Three Kings i
22
Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
196
The sun sets on 24 December at 3.55pm in the UK, and rises the following morning at 8.05am.
81
In 1999, residents of the state of Maine in America built the world's biggest ever snowman. He stood at 113ft tall.
103
Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
251
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
113