Christmas is chock-full of familiar traditions – it's observed on December 25, “Jingle Bells” is a song from Thanksgiving, and Santa hands out treats to the good kids but coal to the naughty ones. But beneath all these familiar traditions are lots of surprising stories and fascinating facts that some of us have yet to learn. Unusual ways of decorating for the holidays, firsts for the holidays, and international spin-offs on the ever-favourite Santa Claus – the history of Christmas is even more fascinating than it seems.
Here are presented 10 surprising Christmas facts that are meant to show the full extent of the richness of the Christmas history:
A tree made of feathers
The initial copy of an artificial Christmas tree did not resemble the one that would be created through the use of PVC. According to The Fact File, the initial artificial Christmas trees were seen in the early 1800s in Germany, where they used dyed goose feathers to make the trees by connecting them to wires. Feather trees are no longer used, but artificial trees still serve as an alternative to real trees.
Also Read | Want to make festive favourite? How to make perfect Yorkshire Puddings for Christmas
Billions of cards each year
The practice of sending Christmas cards has remained a popular tradition in the US. Over 3 billion Christmas cards are sent in the US on a yearly basis, both homemade and purchased.
A floating tree in Brazil
The biggest Christmas tree in the world that is made to float can be found in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro's Christmas tree stands at a height of 278 feet.
The best-selling Christmas song
"White Christmas" has a record that few songs can aspire to. Bing Crosby's classic is the most-selling Christmas song of all time, and it has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. The Fact File reveals this information.
Also Read | From Japan to Greece: Explore 5 fascinating Christmas traditions worldwide
Santa’s Hawaiian name
Santa Claus has a local variant in the state of Hawaii. He is known as Kanakaloka there. He wears gardenia-laden and very colourful Hawaiian clothing.
Christmas in the map
There are two places in the world that are called Christmas Island, one located in the Pacific Ocean, the other in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean version can be reached by a four-hour flight from Perth, Australia.
Origins of tinsel
Tinsel has been around since 1610 in Nuremberg, Germany. It was also made with silver at one point in history, although it was later replaced by other materials.
Trees in every state
Christmas-tree farming is practised in all 50 states, including Alaska, which shows that the tradition is coast-to-coast.
Also Read | Looking for office secret Santa ideas? Here are budget-friendly gifts that impress
Fruit as decoration
Before the advent of glass balls, the most common items hung from the Christmas tree were fruits like apples, pears, and oranges. Fruits were so universally preferred as Christmas tree decorations that the tree itself became known as the “sugar tree.”
A web of good luck
In Ukraine, spider webs on Christmas trees are believed to symbolise good luck. The tradition is based on an anecdote about how spiders wove shining webs on the Christmas tree of a poor woman.
