We all know that Santa lives in the North Pole and Rudolph is the reindeer that guides him, but there’s a lot more to learn about Christmas and its history!
- Santa didn’t always wear red. For many years, he actually wore green, purple or blue! He started appearing in red after Coca Cola decided he should match their colors.
- Alabama was the first U.S. state to recognize Christmas as an official holiday. Seriously! In 1836, Alabama declared it a holiday. Oklahoma was the last state to recognize Christmas as a holiday (in 1907).
- President Grant declared Christmas a federal holiday in 1870.
- The first artificial Christmas tree was made in Germany out of goose feathers dyed green!
- Thomas Edison and his friend Edward Johnson invented Christmas lights.
- Before electric lights were invented, people decorated their Christmas trees with fruit, popcorn, and even candles!
- Santa receives more than 8 million letters every single year from children all around the world.
- There are approximately 2.1 million reindeer in the world.
- The classic Christmas song Jingle Bells was originally a Thanksgiving song.
- Eggnog has been around since the 13th century! Monks enjoyed this festive drink in medieval times.
- Every single U.S. state grows Christmas trees.
- Tinsel used to be made of real silver.
Were any of these fun facts new to you? Be sure to share them with your family this season!