As you all know, there are only 17 days until Christmas, and it is quickly approaching. I thought I would research some fun facts about Christmas. Here are 16 fun facts I found:

• Jingle Bells was the first song to be played in space. It was first played on December 16th, 1965 on Gemini’s 6A space flight.
• Jingle Bells was also originally a song about Thanksgiving before it became a song about Christmas.
• Christmas trees normally have to grow for around 15 years before people can buy them.
• “White Christmas” sung by Bing Crosby is the highest selling single of all time.
• The reason that we give gifts is to symbolize the gifts that were given to Jesus by the 3 wisemen.
• The term “X-mas” refers to X meaning “Chi”, which is Christ in Greek.
• Haddon Sundbloom was hired by Coca-Cola back in 1931 to depict the jolly version of Santa.
• Christmas Wreaths are religious symbols, the wreath shape representing the crown of thorns Jesus wore when he was crucified, and the red representing the blood he shed.
• Christmas used to be illegal from 1659-1681. If you were caught celebrating, you would have to pay a fine.
• Almost 15,000 people each year get sent to the E.R. because they were decorating for Christmas.
• Almost 90% of Americans celebrate Christmas each year.
• Peter Billingsley, who is Ralphie in  “A Christmas Story”, is also in the Christmas classic “Elf”. He is Ming-Ming.
• Spiders are considered good luck at Christmas time in Ukraine.
• The biggest gingerbread house was in Texas back in 2013, and it was the size of a real house.
• There are almost 750 versions of “Silent Night”.
• “Santa” has more than 30 names.

Sources:

45 Amazing Christmas Facts You Need to Know

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g37330418/christmas-facts/

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/g2972/surprising-christmas-facts/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_ghk_ext_g2972&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_ghk_md_dsa_prog_org_us_g2972&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkMGcBhCSARIsAIW6d0CJkdAJ_lQ3RSweiPZ2Ml5xY_RPvAPBTTDHbecLOo6iv53Bxa0vSu0aAhy_EALw_wcB

https://bestlifeonline.com/christmas-facts/