Christmas factoids - 2013

Father Christmas has 2 addresses, one in Edinburgh and one at the North Pole.  Letters to Toyland or Snowland go to Edinburgh, and letters to the North Pole are sent there, because it exists.  (oh yes it does)

 

There is no reference to angels singing anywhere in the Bible.

The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.

IN 1647, after the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell banned festivities. The law wasn't lifted until 1660. Old Scrooge!!

Many parts of the Christmas tree can actually be eaten, with the needles being a good source of Vitamin C.

Anyone willing to try it?  (thought not)

Christmas pudding was originally a soup made with raisins and wine. mmmm yummy :(

There are 13 Santa's in Iceland, each leaving a gift for children. They come down from the mountain one by one, starting on December 12 and have names like Spoon Licker, Door Sniffer and Meat Hook..  Sounds charming.

Many European countries believed that spirits, both good and evil, were active during the Twelve Days of Christmas. These spirits eventually evolved into Santa’s elves.

  In Poland, spiders or spider webs are common Christmas trees decorations because according to legend, a spider wove a blanket for Baby Jesus. In fact, Polish people consider spiders to be symbols of goodness and prosperity at Christmas.

    Mistletoe (Viscum album) is from the Anglo-Saxon word misteltan, which means “little dung twig” because the plant spreads though bird droppings. Just remember that when you kiss someone *

Images & facts from Google

 Rosa Lily L