I don't know where people get all this information, but I thought it was interesting and wanted to share!
Jolly Holiday Tidbits
Seven U.S. cities w/ Christmas stamped on their postmark year around:
Santa Claus, Ind.
Snowflake, Ariz.
Frost, Tex.
Christmas, Fla.
Chestnut, Ill.
Rudolph, Ohio
Mount Holly, N.C.
Animals crackers come in a jolly box w/ a string. This is because in the early 1900s the boxes were used as tree decorations. Food was the primary decorations then. 12 "expensive" Days of Christmas
From a partridge in a pear tree to 12 drummers drumming....if you paid for every gift mentioned in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas", the total cost would be $18,920.59 according to the lastest figures from PNC Financial Services Group Inc. When skeptics question how one person could possibly deliver gifts to more than 800 million homes in one night (10 hours, from 8pm to 6am)...snap back with this: St. Nick has the rotation of the earth on his side. If he travels from east to west from the International Date Line, the time zones afford him 24 extra hours. So he really has 34 hours to deliver presents! Santa's Reindeer - All male reindeer, right? WRONG!
At the start of winter, large male reindeer drop the antlers they grew during the summer, according to the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game. Female reindeer, however, keep their antlers until springtime, along with small males. But Santa's caribou are much too experienced to be considered kids...this means that Santa's hardworking sled-pullers are actually female! Did you know? 1.76 Billion candy canes are made each year! That's enough to stretch back and forth between Santa Claus, Ind. and North Pole, Alaska 32 times!!!! Christmas around the globe:
Sweden:
When single adults are dining together on Christmas Eve, an almond is added to the traditional rice pudding dish. Whoever discovers the nut in his or her serving is destined to walk down the aisle the following year!
Holland:
The Dutch refer to gifts as "surprises", since most are given to friends and families anonymously. Little items are often hidden inside unexpected objects...like potatoes, puddings, etc....to make unveiling more fun and interesting!
Venezuela:
On Dec. 16, families build an elaborate nativity scene in their home, complete with a detailed diorama of hte surrounding countryside. On Christmas Day in Caracas, the capital, many young people skate to church.
Peru:
Mask-wearing musicians stroll the streets on Christmas Eve with dancing, parites and religious parades contributing to the celebration. Gifts are usually not opened until the Feast of the Three Kings on Jan. 6.
South Korea:
From about midnight to 5am on Christmas morning, teenagers and young adults divide into groups and go caroling to the homes of older church members, who invite them inside for hot drinks and snacks