Fun Facts About Christmas!

 

With Christmas just round the corner, it's time to be in a festive mood and think things the Christmas-way. It is that time of the year, again, when everything turns sweet and nostalgic, a time to remember loved ones, a time when wishes could come true, and yes, a time that holds something special for everyone.

 

I was pleasantly surprised to find these cool Christmas facts from author Margaret Brownley's December newsletter and I'd love to share it with you guys and hope you enjoy it.

Oh no!  Scientists think that Rudolph's red nose might be caused by a parasitic infection of the respiratory system.

Speaking of Rudolph:The story of Santa's 9th reindeer was created by Robert L. May in 1939 as a giveaway coloring booklet for Montgomery Ward.

Some historians say that the new trend of hanging Christmas trees upside-down is really more traditional.  In the 1500s trees were hung upside-down to represent the Holy Trinity.

 

During World War II, the Bicycle playing card company secretly made  special decks for the U.S. government.  The decks were sent to American POWs in German camps as Christmas gifts. When the cards were moistened, they peeled apart revealing a map of escape routes. 

 

For a "green" Christmas put up a real tree. A fake tree would have to be reused for 20 years to be "greener" than a real tree.   Even then, there's all that plastic or metal ending up in landfills.   Oh, my... 

 

When Denny's decided to close its restaurants for the first time ever during the Christmas of 1986 they ran across some unexpected problems.  Designed to stay open twenty-four hours a day, some restaurants were built without  locks.  Others couldn't find the keys. 

The tradition of writing to Santa started in 1871 when Harper's Weekly published a cartoon by Thomas Nest showing Santa sitting at his desk reading letters. 

The most requested gift last year was an Apple iPad.  One of the most requested items during the 1800s was an....apple.

Jingle Bells was the first song to be performed in outer space.

Blame it on the war: The long shopping spree before Christmas began when relatives of soldiers posted overseas during the Second World War were encouraged to mail gifts early.

The 3 stages of man

He believes in Santa Claus.  

He doesn't believe in Santa Claus.

He IS Santa Claus!