11 Things You May Not Know About Christmas

Christmas is a huge part of a lot of people’s lives, right? I know not everyone, or even the majority of people celebrate Christmas but most everyone knows what Christmas is and the general idea behind it. Well, as it turns out, there may be some things that you don’t know about Christmas!

Christmas wasn’t always on December 25

Say what?! Yup! The whole point of the day is to celebrate the birth of Christ but there is no mention of December 25 in the Bible! Ohhh, plot twist! Apparently, most historians think Christ was born in the spring!

Christmas trees date back to ancient Egyptians and Romans

Dang, that’s old! They used evergreens to mark the winter solstice and as a reminder that spring would in fact return! Look at us, throwing it way backkk!

Christmas trees went viral in 1848

Prince Albert of Germany first gave his wife, Queen Victoria of England, a beautiful tree which caused it to really become popular! A drawing of the tree was featured in Illustrated London News!

The act of hanging stocking happened on accident

According to legend, we hang stockings by the chimney with care thanks to a poor man who didn’t have enough money for his three daughters’ dowries. Generous old St. Nick dropped a bag of gold down their chimney one night, where the girls had hung their stockings to dry. That’s where the gold ended up, and how the tradition began.

“Jingle Bells” was actually a Thanksgiving song

This may shock you! James Lord Pierpont wrote “One Horse Open Sleigh” for his church’s Thanksgiving concert. It was then re-published in 1857 until it’s new title and eventually became one of the most popular Christmas songs.

things you may not know about christmas

Decorating for Christmas sends about 15,000 people to the ER every year

It probably doesn’t shock you too much but the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that around 15,000 people go to the ER each November and December. Just from decorating for the holidays. Be careful when you are decking your halls!

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree wasn’t always huge

The first tree at Rockefeller Center probably looked more like Charlie Brown’s than the breathtaking one today. Construction workers at the site first placed a small, undecorated tree while working there in 1931. Two years later, another tree appeared in its place, this time with lights. It grew and grew from there.

Santa hasn’t always worn a red suit

He used to wear blue and white and green but ever since a Coca-Cola ad in the 1930s, his red suit became the tradition.

Santa flying in his sleigh didn’t come about until 1819

This idea was thought up by the same author who created the Headless Horseman, Washington Irving.

Jamestown settlers are responsible for the first American eggnog

The first batch of eggnog made in American was made at Captain John Smith’s settlement in 1607.

Can you guess the most recorded Christmas song?

With over 733 different versions copyrighted since 1978, “Silent Night” takes the cake.


I personally love learning random useless facts about things! I didn’t know a lot of the things above about Christmas! Do you have any other random facts to share about Christmas? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking for ways to reduce your waste this holiday season? Try these wrapping ideas!

Sources: 1. Good Housekeeping 2. ET Online

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