20 Weird Christmas Facts You Didn’t Know You Wanted to Know
The festive season is a time of wonder, filled with twinkling lights, heartwarming moments, and timeless traditions. But beyond the familiar carols and cozy gatherings lie tales and tidbits that are as surprising as they are fascinating. In the spirit of the holiday, I’ve unearthed 20 weird and wonderful Christmas facts from my latest book, “The Huge Book of Amazing Facts & Interesting Stuff: Christmas Edition“.
Whether you’re a Christmas aficionado or just looking for some quirky conversation starters for your next holiday party, these facts are sure to pique your curiosity. Dive in and unravel the lesser-known stories of the most wonderful time of the year! 🎄🔍✨
1. The first known use of the word “eggnog” was in 1775. It’s unclear when the first eggnog hangover was recorded.
2. Irving Berlin, who penned “White Christmas”, was Jewish. He wrote a Christmas classic but never had to fuss with tinsel or mistletoe.
3. According to Statistics Canada, 3.5 million fruitcakes are sold annually in the country. Whether they are eaten or not remains a mystery.
4. Greenland’s Christmas cuisine includes “kiviak,” a dish made by fermenting birds in seal skin. It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted—or vegetarians.
5. Reindeer have specialized noses that warm the cold air before it gets to their lungs. So, under a thermal camera, Rudolph’s nose really is red!
6. The word “mistletoe” actually means “dung twig” in ancient languages. Let that sink in next time you’re going in for a kiss.
7. Reindeer eyes change color in the winter to adapt to lower light levels, going from gold to blue. It’s their own festive mood ring!
8. Tinsel was originally made from shredded silver. Thanks to oxidation, it often turned black and tarnished the holiday spirit—literally!
9. Some psychologists believe the reason we find Christmas lights so captivating is due to our primitive attraction to fire.
10. Wham’s “Last Christmas” has been covered over 500 times in various languages. It’s the song that keeps on giving—whether you like it or not.
11. “Silent Night” had its world premiere in 1818 in Austria. Now, it’s the soundtrack to awkward family dinners worldwide.
12. The year 336 AD saw the first “official” Christmas, thanks to Emperor Constantine. He made it cool to celebrate.
13. The U.S. was fashionably late to the Christmas party, only making it a federal holiday in 1870.
14. The first-ever Christmas card was created in 1843. It’s been downhill since, with e-cards and GIFs taking over.
15. Oliver Cromwell tried to hit the “mute” button on Christmas in 1647. Spoiler: England wasn’t having it. King Charles II hit “unmute” on Christmas in England in 1660.
16. In 1882, Edward Johnson, a colleague of Thomas Edison, was the first to string electric lights on a Christmas tree.
17. “O Holy Night” was the second piece of music ever broadcast on radio in 1906. Before Spotify, that was peak tech!
18. In 1912, New York City’s first public Christmas tree lit up Madison Square Park. At 60 feet tall, it was basically the skyscraper of trees!
19. Norway gifts London with a Christmas tree each year as a thank-you for British support during WWII. Nothing says “thank you” like a 20-meter spruce!
20. In Japan, eating KFC on Christmas Eve is a beloved tradition, thanks to a successful marketing campaign in the 1970s. Finger-lickin’ festive, wouldn’t you say?
Yule be surprised at the other facts you can unwrap…
There you have it, a sneak peek into the myriad of intriguing tales and tidbits that the Christmas season holds. But if those 20 facts whetted your appetite for more, imagine diving into over 700 fun and festive facts that will transform the way you see the holiday season!
For those who’ve been following the yearly editions of “The Huge Book of Amazing Facts & Interesting Stuff“, this Christmas edition marks a special milestone. It’s the newest member of a beloved series that has been enlightening readers for the past nine years. With each page, you’re not just reading facts, you’re embarking on a journey through the vibrant tapestry of Yuletide history, traditions, and curiosities.
Whether you’re looking to impress at holiday gatherings, gift a fellow trivia lover, or simply cozy up with a mug of hot cocoa and dive into the festive spirit, “The Huge Book of Amazing Facts & Interesting Stuff: Christmas Edition” is your perfect companion. Here’s to rediscovering the magic of Christmas, one amazing fact at a time!
Order your copy at your favorite book store by clicking here.
