Christmas is one of the biggest holidays of the year, featuring Santa Claus, presents, ornaments, and lots of sweets. Along with the main festivities, there are also several well-known fun facts about Christmas, such as it’s celebrated on December 25th, Santa brings presents to those on the nice list, while coal goes to the naughty children. However, there are quite a few facts you may not know about Christmas. Keep reading to learn more about the December holiday below.
6. Christmas was not always December 25th
Starting our list of fun facts about Christmas is that Christmas Day wasn’t always celebrated on the 25th of December. While Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, it doesn’t mention the 25th of December anywhere in the bible. Some historians even think Jesus was born in the spring, not the winter months at all. Celebrating the holiday on December 25th didn’t occur until about 336 AD.
5. More than 3 billion cards are sent in the U.S. each year
Fifth on our list of fun facts about Christmas is the sheer number of cards that get sent every year in the United States. More than three billion Christmas cards are sent out in the mail each year in the United States alone. From homemade, Hallmark, and even cards sent to Santa Claus, Christmas cards fill up trees and mailboxes every December.
4. Candy canes are shaped like shepherd’s hooks
Next on our list of fun facts about Christmas is the connection between candy canes and shepherd’s hooks. It started in 1670, when a German choir master asked a local confectioner to shape the candy into its now-recognizable form, resembling a shepherd’s hook. While the shepherds traveled from far and wide in the Christmas story, using their hooks to make their way across the land, these confectionery hooks were used to keep choirboys content during long practices.
3. Hanging stockings started by accident
Rounding out the top three fun facts about Christmas is the surprising origin story of Christmas stockings and hanging them on the mantle. The story goes that historic St. Nicholas heard about a local man who didn’t have enough dowry money to marry off his three daughters. In a gesture of goodwill, St. Nick tossed some money down the chimney, which ended up landing in the ladies’ stockings that were drying by the fire. The rest is history.
2. Alabama was the first state to recognize Christmas
Second on our list of fun facts about Christmas is which state was the first to recognize the December date as a state holiday. In 1836, Alabama became the first. After Alabama made the announcement of Christmas as a state holiday, Arkansas and Louisiana quickly followed suit. However, it wasn’t until 1870 that President Grant declared Christmas a national holiday.
1. The first artificial Christmas tree was made from dyed goose feathers
Last but not least on our fun facts about Christmas list is the composition of the first artificial Christmas tree. While you may not believe it, dyed goose feathers really were the makeup of the tree. It dated back to the early 1800s in Germany, built from dyed goose feathers attached to wires to create the signature “pine tree” look. While these feather-filled trees have been phased out in today’s society, you can still grab an artificial tree, this one made from materials such as PVC.