Christmas
Trivia Facts
12 Things That You Never Knew About
Christmas
Many Christmas customs have been adopted over the centuries from different
cultures and their end of year annual festivals. History of Christmas is full of examples of
various traditions that evolved over time and became
customary parts of our Christmas celebrations today. Here are some trivia facts about Christmas and how they
originated.
1. Christmas
Candles
Christmas lights are an important part of Christmas
tree decoration. But before electricity was invented, Christmas trees were lighted with actual candles, which is
believed to have started in the 18th century. This presented a fire hazard, especially if one used evergreen pine
trees, which can be flamable. As a result containers filled with water had to be kept near the Christmas tree just
in case.
 |
| Lighted Christmas candles are one of the most enduring
and an essential part of decorating Christmas
trees. |
2. Christmas Tree
Display
The custom of erecting decorated Christmas trees
started in early modern Germany, around the 15th century. The typical triangular shape of Christmas tree is
symbolic of the Trinity and its top points to haven, all of which has roots in Christianity. One of the long
standing modern Christmas traditions in New York is Christmas tree on display at Rockefeller Center. It's the
construction industry workers that are responsible for the tradition of having a Christmas tree on display at
Rockefeller Center in New York City. They are credited with placing an undecorated tree at the site in the early
1930s.
 |
| The triangular shape of the Christmas tree is symbolic of the Trinity, with its top
seemingly reaching the
haven. |
3. White House Christmas
Tree
One of the recent American customs is that of
Christmas tree at the White House. Since the mid-1960s, The National Christmas Tree Association has maintained a
presence in the White House at Christmas by donating a Christmas tree to the First Family.
4. Christmas Tree
Ornaments Origin
Traditionally Christmas tree was decorated
with edibles like apples, wallnuts or dates. Later on different types of candies were added as decorations, while
nowadays we use many different types of decorations, mostly of unedible type. Widely available today, manufactured
Christmas tree ornaments were first sold by the former Woolworth department store in 1880.
 |
| In the early days, Christmas trees used to be decorated by edibles, such as apples,
wallnuts and dates. These are still used in the nativity
scenes. |
5.
Tinsels
Originally a metallic Christmas decoration, tinsels
are nowadays made from plastic. It became the primary material used to make tinsel after their use for decorative
purposes was at one time prohibited. This was due to lead being used in the manufacturing process of metallic
tinsels.
6. Christmas Greeting
Cards
Although becoming less popular owing to e-cards,
Christmas greeting cards have a long history. The idea of Christmas greeting cards started in Britain in the late
1830s when John Calcott Horsley started to produce small cards that had festive scenes and a holiday greeting
written inside. Similar cards were also being made in the United States at about the same time by R.H. Pease, in
Albany, New York, and Louis Prang, who was a German immigrant. The idea of sending the greeting cards during
Christmas gained popularity in both countries about 10 years later when new postal delivery services
started.
 |
| Although now largely replaced by modern electronics, Christmas postcards and
greeting cards have a long history, going back to Britain in the
1830s. |
7. Origin of
'Xmas'
The word 'Christmas' is derived from the Middle
English phrase Christemasse, meaning Christ's mass. This phrase originated from an earlier one, first time
mentioned in writing in the 11th century. The shortened form Xmas for Christmas has been popular in Europe since
the 1500s. It is believed to be derived from the Greek word 'Xristos' which means Christ. Although Xmas is used
sometime, it's generally discouraged by accepted norms.
8. Candy Canes
Origin
According to the National Confectioners Association, for 200 years candy canes
were only made in the colour of white, as a simple stick of sugar for children to enjoy. It wasn't until in the
1950s that a machine was invented that could automate the production of candy canes, which are now traditionally
white with red stripes.
 |
| Today's red and white striped candy canes used to be
made in white colour only until the
1950s. |
9. Boxing
Day
The day after Christmas is called Boxing Day in England and it is a national
holiday. Several stories exist for the origination of the name. It is believed to have originated from the practice
of boys who would be going about collecting money in clay boxes. Another thought is that the term is derived from a
custom in the Middle Ages, about 800 years ago, when churches would open their 'alms boxes' and distribute the
contents to poor people on the day after Christmas. Alms boxes are boxes in which donations of gifts and money
would be placed. Yet another belief is that it comes from a custom of masters giving their servants Christmas
presents in boxes on the day after Christmas.
10. Evergreen
Trees
Another of long standing Christmas traditions,
evergreen trees had special meaning in winter to people, particularly in Europe, before Christianity started.
Ancient peoples would hang evergreen branches over their doors and windows because evergreens were believed to ward
off witches, ghosts, evil spirits and illness. For worshipers of the sun god, evergreen plants were a reminder of
all the green plants that would grow with the return of summer and the sun god being strong again.
 |
| The evergreen trees used for decorating at Christmas have a special meaning in
warding off evil spirits and other
negativities. |
11. Winter
Solstice
In ancient times, many people worshiped the sun as
a god in December because they thought winter occurred yearly because the sun god had fallen into ill health. They
therefore celebrated the winter solstice because it was a sign that the son god would begin to regain strength and
return to good health.
12. Christmas
Ban
Legislators in Congress did business on Christmas Day
in 1789, which was the first one to be observed under the country's new constitution. The reason for the
Congressional session was because it had become unpopular then to observe and take part in English customs
following the American Revolution. And when Christmas celebrations were barred in Boston earlier in 1659 to 1681,
it became a costly thing to be seen participating in any event or activity related to Christmas. Anyone caught
doing so had to pay five shillings.
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