A few fun facts that you might not know about the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
One. Pope Julius I chose December 25 as the day to celebrate Christmas (or Feast of the Nativity, as it were), explains Bill McKibbon in his book, Hundred Dollar Holiday. This date was very close to the day that the pagan holiday Saturnalia was celebrated. Historians speculate that the Romans chose a close date in order to hopefully overshadow the pagan ritual and spread Christianity instead.
Two. McKibbon’s also mentioned that celebrating Christmas was illegal in some of the early American colonies. In some parts of New England in the 1600s, those who were “keeping Christmas” could be charged a fine of five shillings. This was due to Puritan influence at the time.
Three. According to Good Housekeeping, Santa’s red suit can be traced back to a Coca Cola advertisement from the 1930s.
Four. Speaking of Santa, McKibbon states that the traditional Santa Claus with a team of reindeer and a propensity for arriving through a chimney arose from Clement C. Moore’s poem, “The Night Before Christmas.” His poem was meant to be a commentary on the New York social order of the 1800s.
Five. The abbreviation for Christmas, “Xmas,” isn’t a sacrilegious statement. According to H.D. Curet’s book, From Adam’s Apple to Xmas: An Essential Vocabulary Guide for the Politically Correct, “X” was the English syllable for “Christ” in the year 1100, and “Xmas” first appeared as a substitute for “Christmas” in 1551.
Six. In Israel, celebrants consume more than 18 million donuts, or sufganiyot, during Hanukah, according to CNN. This treat celebrates the miracle of oil during this Jewish holiday.
Seven. Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, but instead, it’s a celebration of the African culture, promoting unity, states PBS. All races and cultures are invited to participate in this celebration, which starts on December 26 and continues on for seven days.
Eight. Boxing Day, December 26, is currently a Canadian and Commonwealth holiday that has its roots in the 1600s, when upper class lords and ladies would provide boxed Christmas gifts and a day off to their servants, according to the Huffington Post. Now, the holiday is seen as a shopping day or as a “Second Christmas.”
Nine. December 21 (at 4:44 a.m. CST, no less) is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. This natural event type of a holiday celebrates the shortest daylight hours of the year, which is fewer than 12 hours long if you live north of the equator.
Ten. James Lord Pierpont, who composed “Jingle Bells,” (originally titled “One Hose Open Sleigh”), might have written the song for a Thanksgiving gathering. Either way, it is currently without copyright, so perform away at any time of the year!
Eleven. Today, December 15, is International Tea Day (but I highly recommend celebrating this event every day).
Twelve. Although traditionally known as New Years Eve, December 31 is also known as “Make Up Your Mind Day,” which isn’t that odd, considering New Year’s resolutions are right around the corner.
