Christmas

Did you know? -

The first mass-produced Christmas Greetings Cards were commissioned in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole, the first director of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.

That the word 'Christmas' actually means "Mass of Christ".

Santa Claus is based on Saint Nicholas who lived around 300AD and is the patron saint of children.

Father Christmas as we know him (big stomach, grey hair and beard and red suit) was 'invented' by Coca Cola for one of their adverts.

Although Coca Cola may have created the modern image of Santa Claus - the 'Red' Father Christmas may have originated from St. Nicholas's Greek Orthodox Bishop vestment, whilst the 'Green' Father Christmas was an English/Germanic derivation.

Prince Albert brought the first Christmas tree to appear in the UK to Windsor Castle for the Royal family in 1841.

The Christmas story of Scrooge (aka The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens) was written in 1834.

The hugely popular Silent Night Carol (sung in 180 languages) was written by Austrian assistant priest Joseph Mohr because the church organ was broken and could not be mended by Christmas Day. He wrote it for to be played with a guitar.

The first Christmas stamp was sent in 1898.

Mistletoe was held sacred in the olden days and you were not allowed to fight in its presence.

Boxing Day came about because money was collected in alms-boxes placed in churches during the festive season and was used for the poor and needy although it was traditionally known as St.Stephens Day.

"Xmas"- is derived from the Greek version of Christ's name: Xristos, therefore "X-Mass, although people don't usually ask for 'Xmas greeting cards' :-)

The first recorded tree referred to as a 'Christmas tree' was at Strasbourg in 1604.