7 Interesting Facts About Christmas

Christmastime is a time of laughter, joy and treasured memories around the dinner table. For many households, it is also a time of spending money, stressing out and fighting over where to go for the annual vacation with the in-laws.

Whatever you and your loved ones do during the holiday season, it can be more fun if you add in some interesting knowledge about the popular holiday that millions of people celebrate all over the world on December 25 every year. As you put up your tree, consider these seven facts.

1. Bright Lights Tradition Has Roots in Curbing Seasonal Depression

If you are someone who adores the simple joy of walking down the street and admiring the twinkling lights on all of your neighbors’ houses, have you ever wondered where the common light decorating traditional originates from?

As with many modern Christmas traditions, it has a lot to do with Winter Solstice traditions, too. Because many places that celebrate such traditions are located in regions with limited sunlight, the bright light festivities help people stay connected and uplifted through the long winter months. 

2. Christmas Sweaters Have Not Always Been Ugly

Are you one of the yearly winners of your office’s Ugliest Christmas Sweaters contest? Have you ever considered wearing a normal Christmas sweater… just because you liked it? Believe it or not, many people used to do that very thing long ago in the days before the twentieth century.

3. Santa Got His Modern Look From Coca Cola

Over the years, Mr. Santa Claus has significantly changed in appearance. While this is not necessarily a “bad” thing, it is nonetheless true. For example, he has gained significant weight since 1931. In addition, his former creepy look has changed to more a much more jolly and child-friendly appearance. He seems to have had a change of color preferences, too. Before, he sported a green suit, but now it is red. Sources attribute the changes to none other than the Coco Cola company. 

4. Rudolph Came From a Department Store

Speaking of the 1930s, another Christmas-themed icon that was born during that time was none other than the reindeer with the shiniest red nose. That is correct: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is originally from the 1939 Montgomery Ward department store promotion.

5. “Jingle Bells” Was Originally for Thanksgiving

If you are one of the countless lovers of holiday tunes, then you will especially appreciate this next fact. Did you know that “Jingle Bells” was not originally for Christmas? It is true! The original writer actually wrote the song for Thanksgiving, but it became a beloved melody for the following holiday. 

6. Christmas Decorating Leads To Almost 15,000 Annual Emergency Room Visits

Before you climb up on that ladder to climb your Christmas lights or put a topper on your tree, be extra careful and spend some time thinking about how many people end up in the emergency room every year when decorating. To be more precise, that number is nearly 15,000. Keep your Christmas cheery by watching where you step this season. 

7. Most Younger Generations See Christmas As Cultural, Not Religious

Did you grow up in a household where your family took Christmas very seriously? Was it a time with strong religious meaning and formalities? If you said “yes,” how about now? According to statistics, the beliefs of younger Americans are rapidly changing when it comes to traditionally religious holidays, especially Christmas. Unlike older generations who thought of Christmas as being more of a “Christian” celebration, younger Millenial and Generation Z adults lean toward more of a cultural view of the holiday. Over 90 percent of U.S. citizens celebrate Christmas, and that number includes people who have many other religious and non-religious beliefs as well.  The next time you are putting up lights, give these facts some thought for renewed appreciation in this intriguing wintertime celebration.