Twelve Things You Never Knew About Christmas

1. Christmas trees were first lighted with real candles, a fire hazard presented. Because containers filled with water to be held near the Christmas tree.

2. Construction workers are responsible for the tradition of having a Christmas tree on display in the Rockefeller Center in New York City. They are credited with placing a decorated tree on the site in the early 1930s.
3. Since the mid 1960s, the National Christmas Tree Organization has maintained a presence in the White House at Christmas by donating a Christmas tree on the First Family.
4. The past Woolworth department store first sold artificial Christmas tree ornaments in 1880.
5. Plastic was the basic material used to make tinsel after use for decorative purposes has been banned at one time because lead was used in the production process.
6. The idea of Christmas cards started in Britain in the late 1830s when John Calcott Horsley started the production of small cards that had scenes and a festive holiday greeting written inside. Similar cards were also made in the United States at about the same time by RH Pease, in Albany, New York, and Louis Prang, who was a German immigrant. The idea of Sending greeting cards during the Christmas gained popularity in both about 10 years later when new post delivery services started.
7. The shortened form Xmas for Christmas is popular in Europe since 1500. It is probably be derived from the Xristos Greek word which means Christ.
8. The National Confectioners Association, for 200 years made bonbon sticks were made only in the color of white and it was not until the 1950s that a machine was invented that could automate the production of candy canes.
9. The day after Christmas is called Boxing Day in England and is a national holiday. Several stories exist for the emergence of the name. It is thought that the practice of the boys who would be collecting money clay boxes. Another idea is that the term derives from a custom in the Middle Ages, about 800 years ago, when churches would open their 'alms boxes and distribute the contents to poor people on the day after Christmas. Alms boxes which are donations of gifts and money would be placed. Another belief is that it comes from a habit of masters give their employees Christmas presents in boxes on the day after Christmas.
10. Evergreen trees had a special meaning to people in the winter, especially in Europe, before Christianity began. Ancient
people would hang evergreen branches over their doors and windows, because evergreens were supposed to ward off witches, ghosts, evil spirits and disease. For the worshipers of the sun god, evergreen plants are a reminder of the green plants that would grow with the return of summer and the sun is strong again.
11. In ancient times, many people worshiped the sun as a god in December because she thought the winter every year because the sun had fallen in ill health. They are therefore celebrated the winter solstice because it is a sign that the Son of God would begin to regain strength and return to good health.
12. Legislators in Congress do business on Christmas Day in 1789, which was the first to be observed in the country new constitution. The reason for the Congressional conference was because it had become unpopular than to observe and take part in the English customs subsequent the American Revolution. And when Christmas celebrations were barred in Boston earlier in 1659 to 1681, was an expensive thing to see participate in an event or activity related to Christmas. Anyone doing was paying five shillings.