Christmas Around The World
Date Posted: 24/12/2019
We're nearly there... The big man in the red suit will be sliding down your chimney and feasting on your mince pies in just a matter of hours!
Since Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year we wanted to celebrate by sharing some of the most interesting festive facts derived from across the world. Find out where the traditions of Christmas first started, how other countries celebrate the world-famous date, and how much the biggest and best Christmas tree is worth.
Come on then, let's talk all things Christmas...
Netherlands
Hanging stockings out comes from the Dutch custom of leaving shoes packed with food for St Nicholas’s donkeys. He would then leave small gifts for them in return.
France
The tradition of putting tangerines in stockings comes from 12th-century French nuns who left socks full of fruit, nuts, and tangerines at the houses of those who were poor.
England
It’s actually illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas Day in England. In the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas pudding, mince pies, and anything to do with gluttony. The law has never since been rescinded.
USA
Santa hasn’t always worn a red suit. The original red-suited Santa became popular in the US and Canada in the 19th century due to the influence of caricaturist and cartoonist Thomas Nast. Coca-Cola commissioned their depiction of Santa in 1931.
Dubai
The most expensively dressed Christmas tree was valued at just under £7,000,000 and was displayed by the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Japan
Japanese people traditionally eat at KFC for Christmas dinner, as the result of a successful marketing campaign 40 years ago.
Belgium
The most lights lit simultaneously on a Christmas tree is 194,672 and was achieved by Kiwanis Malmedy and Haute Fagnes in Malmedy, Belgium on 10 December 2010.
Latvia
The city of Riga, Latvia holds the claim as home to history’s first decorated Christmas tree, back in 1510.
Iceland
People in Iceland often exchange books on Christmas Eve, then spend the rest of the night reading them and eating chocolate.
Egypt
The fruitcake we eat at Christmas time originated in ancient Egypt, where it was considered essential for the afterlife.
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