10 Christmas Facts That’ll Make Your Jaw Drop
Do you want to wow your loved ones with your expert festive knowledge this Christmas? You’ve landed on the perfect article.
Here you’ll find the most interesting and unusual Christmas trivia to impress your friends over your festive roast or impress your colleagues during the obligatory office Christmas party.
Prepare for your mind to be blown. Here are 10 Christmas facts that’ll make your jaw drop.
- It’s Illegal to Eat a Mince Pie on Christmas Day in England
You are technically breaking the law if you eat a mince pie on Christmas Day in England.
While indulging in the festive treat is unlikely to cause the boys (and girls) in blue to pay you a visit, it is a crime to do so on the 25th of December.
Oliver Cromwell banned consuming mince pies, Christmas pudding, and other treats on Christmas Day during the 17th century, and the law is yet to be rescinded.
2. Christmas Pudding Was Originally Made with Meat
Christmas pudding is a divisive food in homes across the UK, as many family members will likely love or loathe it.
However, it may surprise you to learn that early versions of Christmas pudding were originally made with meat, such as mutton or beef. Complementing the meat was wine, dried fruit, onions, and warm spices.
Nowadays, a traditional Christmas pudding recipe features fruits, suet, eggs, spices, and molasses.
3. Christmas Wreaths Symbolise God
During the 16th century, people across northern and eastern Europe, especially Germany, began cleaning up their Christmas trees, attempting to create a more uniform appearance.
They would then use the offcuts of the evergreen to create wreaths, and they chose a circular shape to represent the eternity of God and eternal life. For instance, a circular wreath symbolises there is no beginning or end.
4. Jingle Bells Was Created for Thanksgiving
“Jingle Bells” may have become synonymous with Christmas, but it was originally made for Thanksgiving.
James Lord Pierpont initially named it “One Horse Open Sleigh” and it was performed at a Thanksgiving concert during the mid-19th century.
However, the song was re-released under the title “Jingle Bells” in 1857, and it has been sang by children and adults every Christmas since.
5. Eggnog Originated in Great Britain
Eggnog is one of the most popular holiday beverages in the United States, alongside hot chocolate and apple cider.
Despite being synonymous with the US, many culinary historians believe eggnog originated from early medieval Britain.
It was inspired by the drink posset, which was hot milk curdled with ale or wine and flavoured with various spices.
It was as an upper-class luxury, as only wealthy people had ample access to milk, eggs, and sherry. For this reason, it was regularly served during big events and toasts.
As the US had more farming opportunities, Americans had greater access to chickens and cows compared to people across Great Britain, contributing to its popularity across the country.
6. An Act of Kindness Inspired Christmas Stockings
Most people don’t think twice about the origin of their Christmas stockings, but the tradition was born from an act of kindness.
It is believed to have started after St Nicholas helped a poor family. As a widower couldn’t pay the dowries for his three daughters, Nicholas dropped bags of gold down the chimney, and one of them landed in a stocking hanging to dry over the fireplace. As a result, the daughters had the money to marry their suitors.
7. A London Sweet Shop Owner Invented the Christmas Cracker
Christmas crackers are a staple on dining tables across the UK on Christmas day, and you have a man called Tom Smith to thank for them.
In 1847, the London sweet shop owner was inspired to make the much-loved cracker after viewing French bonbons wrapped in paper that had a twist at each end.
He then created similar sweets in her store, but they featured a love motto, a little trinket, and the signature bang.
The gifts often included miniature dolls or even jewellery, and the crackers became so popular that he was selling 13 million per year by 1900.
8. Father Christmas Visits 822 Homes Per Second
As you know, Christmas Eve is a busy night for good ol’ St Nick, as he needs to deliver gifts to boys and girls across the globe.
According to US scientists, Father Christmas must visit approximately 822 homes per second to deliver presents across the world on Christmas Eve. Also, he needs to travel to various countries at 650 miles a second.
9. The Three Wise Men Aren’t Mentioned in the Bible
The story of the birth of Jesus is embedded into many people’s minds from a young age, often depicting a visit from The Three Wise Men.
However, they aren’t mentioned in The Bible. Instead, it refers to a group of people, known as Magi, who travelled to Bethlehem to worship Jesus. The Bible doesn’t specify any names of the number of visitors.
10. Your Real Christmas Tree Could Be 15 Years Old
Have you ever wondered how long it takes to grow a natural Christmas tree? Well, wonder no more.
It typically takes 4 to 15 years to grow a real Christmas tree in the UK, and the growth time is often determined by the tree’s soil, species, and the weather.
Some species will grow at a quicker rate than others. For example, Douglas Fir and Norway Spruce will grow faster than Nordmann trees.
Have you got a Christmas fact you’d like to share? Write it in the comment section below.
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