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In 1843, the first Christmas card was created on the instructions of an Englishman, Sir Henry Cole. J.C. Horsley designed the card and sold 1000 copies in London.

The first American Christmas carol was written in 1649 by a minister named John de Brebeur and is called "Jesus is Born".

Santa relies on his nine reindeers to safely take him round the world delivering presents. His reindeers are called Rudolph - the leader who lights the way with his bright red nose - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Donder, Blitzen, Cupid and Comet.

At 3pm each year the Queen delivers her Christmas message to the nation. This custom was first suggested in 1923 by John Reith, the General Manager of the BBC. However, it wasn't until 1932, at Sandringham that King George V gave his first Christmas speech to his subjects around the world. The speech was first televised in 1957, and today the Queen's message is broadcast alternately by the BBC and ITV. It is heard by her subjects in Britain and what remains of the Empire.

St Nicholas Church in New York was the first place of religious worship built by the Dutch settlers. It was named in honour of the festive saint.

The Twelve Days of Christmas represent the length of time that the three wise men from the East took to reach the manger of Jesus Christ after his birth.

The first printed reference to Christmas trees appeared in Germany in 1531.

In 1834, Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert brought the first Christmas tree to Windsor Castle for the Royal family.

Bing Crosby's White Christmas is the biggest selling holiday single of all time.

Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since the 1850s - until recently they all came from forests.

The French call Christmas Noel.

Christmas Pudding originates from an old, Celtic dish known as 'frumenty'.

The Finnish word for Christmas is Joulu.

The word Christmas comes from the old English, Cristes maesse, meaning Christ's Mass.

The singing of carols was banned in England from 1649 till 1660 because Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell believed that Christmas should be a very solemn day. This party-pooper also forbade the holding of parties to mark the festive season. The only form of Christmas celebration permitted during this time was a sermon and prayer service.

Christmas hasn't always been celebrated on December 25. It wasn't until the 4th century that Pope Julius decided on this date, as it coincided with the pagan rituals of Winter Solstice, or Return of the Sun. He intended to replace the pagan celebration with a Christian one.

Over a billion Christmas cards are sent each year in the United Kingdom. Many are sold in aid of charities, making this a fun way to help the less fortunate.

Alabama became the first US State to declare Christmas a legal holiday in 1836.

The German word for Christmas is Weihnachten.

The Italian word for Christmas is Il Natale.

In 1937, the first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria.

The common abbreviation for Christmas to Xmas is derived from the Greek alphabet. X is letter Chi, which is the first letter of Christ's name in the Greek alphabet.

Christmas is not traditionally a one-day event, but a prolonged period of celebration, normally from 24th December to 6th January.

Artificial Christmas trees have consistently outsold real ones since 1991.

In 1856, President Franklin Pierce decorated the first White House Christmas tree.

The Canadian province of Nova Scotia leads the world in exporting Christmas trees.

Kissing a desired one under the mistletoe is a popular part of the Christmas celebrations. The ancient Romans, who believed mistletoe was a symbol of peace, initiated this custom.