Fun Facts About Christmas History

1. The first Christmas tree decorations were edible—people used apples, nuts, and sweets.

2. Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition in the 1500s.

3. Candy canes were invented to keep kids quiet during church services.

4. Candy canes’ red stripes were added later to represent Jesus’ sacrifice.

5. The first Christmas card was created in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole in England.

6. Christmas wasn’t always celebrated on December 25—the date was later chosen to align with winter festivals.

7. The song “Jingle Bells” was originally written for Thanksgiving, not Christmas.

8. The world’s first artificial Christmas trees were made in Germany using dyed goose feathers.

9. The famous poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (“’Twas the Night Before Christmas”) was published in 1823.

10. In early America, Christmas celebrations were once outlawed in some colonies for being “too rowdy.”

St. Nicholas fill childrens' shoes with little gifts in some countries in Europe. Photo from canva.com

Christmas Traditions Around the World

11. In the Netherlands, Germany, and other European countries, kids leave shoes out instead of stockings for St. Nicholas to fill.

12. In Italy, a kind witch named La Befana delivers gifts to children on January 6.

13. In Japan, many families celebrate Christmas with a meal from KFC.

14. Australians often have Christmas barbecues or beach picnics—it’s summer there in December.

15. In Mexico, families celebrate Las Posadas, a nine-day reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter.

16. In Iceland, 13 mischievous “Yule Lads” visit children in the nights leading up to Christmas.

17. In Sweden, families watch Donald Duck and His Friends on Christmas Eve—a TV tradition since 1959.

18. In Finland, people visit saunas on Christmas Eve to relax before festivities.

19. Germany’s oldest Christmas market, Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, began in 1434.

20. In the Philippines, some towns hold festivals with giant glowing parols (lanterns) that light up the sky.

21. People in Ukraine decorate their Christmas trees with spider webs! The custom comes from the legend of a widow who couldn't afford to decorate her family's tree. When her kids woke up on Christmas morning, they found the tree covered with beautiful webs spun by sympathetic spiders.

How much do you know about the man in the big red suit? Photo courtesy of Knott's Merry Farm

Santa Claus Facts for Kids

22. Santa Claus's real name is St. Nicholas. Before he became Santa, St. Nicholas was a kind bishop born around the year 270.

23. In addition to St. Nicholas, Santa is known by several other names, including Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, Papa Noel, and Sinterklaas.

24. Santa’s “naughty or nice” list was first mentioned in a 1934 Christmas song called “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”

25. Santa’s sleigh travels over 395 million miles on Christmas Eve to reach every child around the world. 

26. The US Postal Service receives hundreds of thousands of letters to Santa every year.

27. Santa's official mailing address is "Santa Claus, 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888." But even if you simply write "Santa Claus" on the envelope, your letter will still get to him thanks to the United States Postal Service!

Reindeer are fascinating animals! Photo courtesy of Hershey Park

Sleigh and Reindeer Fun Facts

28. The song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” became a hit in 1949, selling millions of copies.

29. Reindeer actually have red noses when it’s cold—their noses are filled with blood vessels that help regulate temperature.

30. Both male and female reindeer grow antlers (unlike most deer species, where only the males grow antlers).

31. Reindeer can run as fast as 50 miles per hour.

32. Reindeer can see ultraviolet light, which helps them spot predators and food in the snowy Arctic.

33. Reindeer migrate farther than almost any other land mammal—up to 3,000 miles each year.

34. Santa has nine reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph.

35. In Finland, reindeer are used to pull sleds through snowy forests.

Silly and Surprising Christmas Fun Facts

36. The world’s tallest Christmas tree was 221 feet tall in Seattle, Washington, in 1950.

37. The largest gingerbread house ever built covered over 2,500 square feet in Texas.

38. The record for most Christmas lights on a single home is more than 600,000.

39. The first White House Christmas tree with electric lights was lit in 1895.

40. The song “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time.

41. "Jingle Bells" was the first song to ever be broadcast from space! In 1965, two astronauts aboard Gemini 6 played the song using a harmonica and mini sleigh bells.

How Kids Can Share These Christmas Fun Facts

• Host a family Christmas trivia night and quiz your parents or siblings.
• Add a few festive facts to your school holiday report or classroom presentation.
• Write your favorite fun facts in a Christmas card or letter to Santa (his address is above!).
• Ask each other trivia questions during car rides to see Christmas lights.
• Turn these Christmas fun facts into a game, craft, or homemade holiday countdown calendar.
• Create a “Did You Know?” fact board for your classroom or family party.