Smorgasbord Sundays: Christmas & Christmas-Related Facts

Today’s short post includes some Facts About Christmas collected from various sources since my childhood.

As December 25th continues to creep up on us, I thought it was very appropriate. 🙂

  • Christmas means “Christ’s Mass”
  • The “x” in Xmas is the Greek letter chi, which is the first letter of Christ’s name in Greek (Χριστός)
  • Santa Claus is based on Saint Nicholas, a Church Bishop who was born in Turkey
  • Saint Francis is said to have invented the nativity set in the 13th century
  • Tom Smith invented Christmas crackers in 1847
  • Pine needles are rich in Vitamin C
  • Originally, Christmas pudding consisted of soup made with raisins and wine
  • Almost 1.5 billion cards are sent every Christmas, according to Hallmark

Christmas 2012Did you know any of these? Can you share any other interesting Christmas facts you’ve heard?

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10 thoughts on “Smorgasbord Sundays: Christmas & Christmas-Related Facts

    1. Mary Post author

      Hey Erica!

      I’m actually glad that you didn’t know any of those facts. It’s more fun to learn new things than to just read tidbits you already know. 🙂

      Thank you! Hope you also have a Merry Christmas! 😀

      Reply
  1. Sarah

    I celebrate Christmas, too, but did you know most Christmas traditions were actually Pagan? When Christianity became popular and they were looking for ways to convert Pagans, they took the Pagan’s traditions (decorating a tree, hanging a wreath, the colors we use — even different scents and flavors) and claimed them as their own. So, the Pagan’s holiday at this time of year is Yule, or the Winter Solstice. This is why Christmas is around the same time. I think the history behind all of these traditions is so interesting… I hope you do, too!
    Sarah recently posted: the-shark-blog:

    Kulick-09-11-21-1077 by bdkulick 

    Reply
    1. Mary Post author

      Hey Sarah!

      Yeah, I thought it was interesting that Christmas has Pagan roots. There’s probably a book out there about the history of Christmas. I need to find it – would love to read all about how Christmas came to be, well, Christmas other than the usual facts. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Cindi

    I love Christmas! I love the gathering of family (or in my case here hundreds of miles away) friends and food. I love looking at Christmas lights and yard displays. I love singing the Christmas carols and hymns. The aroma of gingerbread, peppermint, cocoa, candles and wishing each other well. And wearing dark nail polish and lots of glitter! Merry Christmas to you! xxx’s and ooo’s

    Reply
    1. Mary Post author

      Hey Cindi!

      Thank you! MERRY CHRISTMAS! I’m sure that you’ll have a blast with your loved ones…hehe, and with plates full of yummmmmmy food! 😉

      Reply
  3. maddy

    I don’t really know much Christmas facts but I’m so excited for Christmas? Is that snowglobe from one of China Glaze’s Christmas Sets because I think I have one similar.

    Reply
  4. Julia

    Very interesting facts! I wonder how you could get the vitamin C out of the pine needles…that got me thinking of possible pine needle recipes, haha!
    By the way, your mention of the Jack Black lip balms got me to give them a try, and I’m enjoying it so far! I do wish it had SPF though. Also, all your fun nail art convined me to attempt nail art for the first time! Only on two nails though- baby steps. One is a Christmas tree, and the other is a sprig of holly. Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

    Reply
    1. Mary Post author

      Hey Julia!

      I’ve read online that supposedly pine trees are edible, but I’ve never eaten any, and it doesn’t look appetizing…haha! It seems like it’d be really dry. Also, for people who have eaten them, I hope they only ate ones that weren’t treated with chemicals!

      YAY! Glad that you’re enjoying the Jack Black balms. They used to have SPF 15, but recently, it looks like here in Canada, they’ve changed the packaging and there’s no more mention of sunscreen. On my new tube, I saw that there’s a diamond-shaped label on the front. When I peeled it off, underneath, the printing on the packaging still has SPF 15! I do wish they kept the old formula with the SPF. That was one of the big selling points of it for me.

      Good for you for trying nail art for the first time! I’m sure that you’ll be painting something fun again soon! 😉 Nail art’s like potato chips – you can’t stop at just one…hehe!

      Your designs sound really fun! Did you take any photos? I’d love to see your creativity!

      Merry Christmas to you, too! 🙂

      Reply

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