Christmas cards
The first commercial Christmas card was commissioned in London in 1843 by Henry Cole. Early cards were expensive, but cheaper printing and postage helped the custom spread.
Stories behind the season
Christmas Facts
Christmas is full of details that are so familiar we rarely stop to ask where they came from. Here is a growing collection of short, useful facts behind the decorations, songs, food and traditions that shape the season.
Christmas crackers
Victorian confectioner Tom Smith is credited with developing the Christmas cracker after being inspired by wrapped sweets. The snap, paper hat and joke evolved later.
Jingle Bells
Jingle Bells was published in 1857 under the title One Horse Open Sleigh. Its lyrics describe winter sleighing rather than Christmas itself.
Silent Night
Silent Night was first performed in Austria on Christmas Eve in 1818. The song travelled widely during the nineteenth century and became one of the world’s best-known carols.
Tinsel
Early tinsel was made from thin strips of real silver. Modern tinsel uses lightweight reflective materials that are cheaper, brighter and less prone to tarnishing.
Christmas tree lights
Electric Christmas tree lights appeared in the 1880s, but they were initially a luxury. Before electricity became common, candles were sometimes attached to trees — beautiful, but risky.
The Twelve Days
Traditionally, the Twelve Days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day. That means the famous song describes a period that starts on 25 December rather than the run-up to it.
Mince pies
Earlier mince pies could contain actual minced meat alongside dried fruit and spices. Over time, the sweet fruit filling became dominant in Britain.
Robins on cards
Robins became strongly associated with British Christmas cards during the Victorian era. One popular explanation links them with red-coated postal workers, who were sometimes nicknamed “robins”.
Xmas
The X in Xmas is not a modern attempt to remove “Christ”. It comes from chi, the first letter of the Greek word Christos, and has been used as an abbreviation for centuries.
Reindeer antlers
Both male and female reindeer can grow antlers. Timing varies, which is why the antlers on Santa’s reindeer have prompted more than a few seasonal biology discussions.
Trafalgar Square
Oslo traditionally sends a Christmas tree to London each year as a gift of thanks for British support to Norway during the Second World War.
Want one at a time? The homepage rotates a Christmas fact every day.