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42 13 Surprising Trivia ‘X’ Mas Facts

13 Surprising Christmas

Trivia Facts You Never

Knew

by Damon Beres

Ever heard of a Christmas carp?
Wonder why stockings are hung by the
chimney with care? And ponder who
created the candy cane? Sit by the fire,
my child, and we will illuminate.

1 - Candy Canes: Originally white -
and for bored kids
The first known candy cane was made in
1670 by a German choirmaster to help children
endure lengthy nativity services. They were
white and modeled after shepherds’ canes. The
candy cane made its way to America in 1847,
when a German immigrant decorated the tree in
his Ohio home with the iconic candy.

2 - The Bible does not actually state Christmas There’s no shortage of fascinating
when Jesus was born The famous Christmas song was actually Christmas trivia about everyone’s favorite jolly
The Gospels leave specific dates and written for Thanksgiving. James Lord Pierpont old elf. Inspired at least in part by Sinterklaas
even seasonal references to Jesus’ birth out, but originally titled the song “One Horse Open and the history of St. Nicholas, author Clement
mention shepherds tending their flocks when Sleigh” and performed it at his church’s Clarke Moore wrote a poem titled “A Visit from
Jesus was born. This leads some to believe that Thanksgiving service in the mid-nineteenth St. Nicholas.” You may know it better as “The
he was more likely an Aries (spring) than a century. Then, in 1859 the song was republished Night Before Christmas.” From this work came
Capricorn (winter) baby, as spring is the season under the name “Jingle Bells”. much of what we now associate with Santa
when lambs tend to be born. Claus: The flying reindeer, his ample gut, and
7 - The origin of Christmas stockings jolly laughter.
3 - The Christmas Tree An old story dating back to the 3rd
Christmas trees first made an appearance century Byzantine Empire (today known 12 - Santa has his own postal code
with the ancient Egyptians and Romans. They asTurkey) suggests that St. Nicholas would Every year thousands of kids write
used them to mark the winter solstice. The throw coins down the chimneys of poor women letters to Santa to let him know their wish list.
evergreens served as a reminder of the green who couldn’t afford dowries. The legend Canadians set up a special zip code for Santa so
plants that would come in the spring. However, continues that the money would land in all of the letters have somewhere to go. To keep
it wasn’t until Prince Albert and his wife Queen stockings that were hung over the fire to dry. things festive, the zip code is H0H 0H0.
Victoria of England appeared in a drawing in the
Illustrated London News in 1848 that the 8 - Originally , Santa was Sinterklaas 13 - Coca-Cola did not invent Santa
tradition took off. Dutch children have long cheered the But his image has been used extensively
annual coming of Sinterklaas—known also as in wintertime marketing materials since 1931,
4 - A fishy tradition Saint Nicholas—who sports a crimson miter and associating both his image and persona with the
In parts of Eastern Europe, it’s rolls into town on a steamboat filled with soft drink in the public consciousness. Ready for
customary to keep a live fish in your bathtub in presents in mid-November. Then, he rides some more fun Christmas trivia? []
preparation for the Christmas Eve feast. Why? around on his mighty white steed Amerigo and
Some suggest it’s because the Carp is one of the distributes gifts. Over time, Sinterklaas’ image Christmas Ha-Ha’s!
oldest fish species and indispensable to the was transmuted into Santa’s, and Amerigo Continued from Page 42
fishing industry in this part of Europe. Though became a sled with flying reindeer. This is the
mentions of carp dishes can be found as far back surprising history behind your favorite What happens to elves when they behave
as the 17th century, it wasn’t until the 19th Christmas carols. naughty? Santa gives them the sack.
century that it became widespread, as fish was a
luxury, and most common folk ate 9 - A name popularized by Washington What kind of music do elves listen to? Wrap.
predominantly non-meat meals.
Irving
What is a snowmans favorite breakfast? Ice
While there had been mention of “Santa
5 - Why the bright lights? Crispies
Claus” in the American press dating back to
Historians have an explanation for this 1773, Washington Irving is generally considered
bit of Christmas trimmings. They note that the first man to significantly transform the Why didn't the skeleton go to the Christmas
celebrating Christmas with light is just a natural Dutch Sinterklaas into “Santa Claus.” In his party? He had no-body to go with.
response to the winter solstice. “If you happen to book History of New York, he spoofed the gift-
live in a region in which midwinter brings giving legend and portrayed Santa Claus as a Who hides in the bakery at Christmas? A
striking darkness and cold and hunger, then the pipe-smoking sailor in a green coat. Mince Spy!
urge to have a celebration at the very heart of it
to avoid going mad or falling into deep What says 'Oh Oh Oh'? Santa walking
10 - It used to be illegal
depression is very, very strong,” researcher backwards!
From 1659 to 1681 you could be fined
Philip Shaw of Leicester University told
for celebrating Christmas. It didn’t become a
Livescience. What do you call a greedy elf? Elfish.
federal holiday until 1870.
11 - The man behind the icon
6 - “Jingle Bells” wasn’t meant for (Continued on Page 60)