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istmas is a holiday celebrated all around the world, but do you really know everything there is to know about it? Here are some interesting and lesser-known facts about this festive season. 1. Jesus wasn't born on December 25th While we celebrate Christmas on December 25th every year, it's believed that Jesus may have been born in the spring or fall. The date was chosen based on the winter solstice and the Roman holiday Saturnalia. 2. Christmas trees were originally decorated with real candles Today, we decorate our Christmas trees with electric lights for safety reasons, but in the past, real candles were used to light up the trees. This was a fire hazard that often resulted in house fires. 3. The first Christmas card was created in 1843 The Christmas card was invented by Sir Henry Cole, a civil servant who wanted a way to streamline the process of sending holiday greetings. He commissioned an artist to design a card that could be mailed to friends and family. 4. The tradition of hanging stockings comes from a legend The story goes that the original Saint Nicholas observed a poor family that couldn't afford to provide dowries for their three daughters. Saint Nicholas tossed bags of gold coins down their chimney, and the coins landed in stockings that were drying by the fire. 5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created by a department store The character was created by Robert L. May, a copywriter for Montgomery Ward, a department store in Chicago. May was asked to write a Christmas story that could be given away to customers, and he came up with the story of Rudolph. 6. Mistletoe was used in ancient times as a symbol of fertility The ancient Romans and Druids believed that mistletoe had magical properties that could increase fertility in humans and animals. Today, we use mistletoe as a decoration and a way to steal a kiss from someone special. 7. The largest Christmas present ever recorded was a paper mache Santa Claus The gift was presented to the children of Ballarat Orphanage in Australia in 1913. The Santa Claus was over 40 feet tall and filled with toys. 8. The world's tallest Christmas tree was almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty In 2016, a tree in Sri Lanka was named the tallest Christmas tree in the world. It was over 236 feet tall, which is only 30 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty. 9. Christmas colors have symbolic meanings The colors red and green are commonly associated with Christmas. Red represents the blood of Jesus and his sacrifice, while green represents eternal life. 10 Christmas pudding contains hidden surprises The traditional British dessert is made with a mixture of dried fruit, spices, and alcohol, and is often served with cream or brandy sauce. It's also common to hide small items inside, such as a silver coin or a ring, which are said to bring good luck to the person who finds them. So there you have it, ten fascinating facts about Christmas that you may not have known before. The holiday season is full of traditions, but learning the stories behind them can make them even more special. Merry Christmas!
