Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
113
The sun sets on 24 December at 3.55pm in the UK, and rises the following morning at 8.05am.
81
Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
33
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
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".
27
The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
18
The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
Many theologians estimate that Jesus wasn't born on December 25 but sometime in September between 6BC and 30AD.
42