CHRISTMAS TRIVIA

 

• For every real Christmas tree harvested, 2 to 3 seedlings are planted in its place.
• Frankincense is a sweet smelling gum resin derived from certain Boswellia trees which, at the time of Christ, grew in Arabia, India, and Ethiopia. Tradition says that it was presented to the Christ Child by Balthasar, the black king from Ethiopia or Saba. The frankincense trade was at its height during the days of the Roman Empire. At that time this resin was considered as valuable as gems or precious metals. The Romans burned frankincense on their altars and at cremations.
• Franklin Pierce was the first United States' Pesident to decorate an official White House Christmas tree .
• Frosty The Snowman had a button for a nose and eyes made of coal
• Frosty's last words were "I'll be back again someday"
• Frumenty was a spiced porridge, enjoyed by both rich and poor. It is thought to be the forerunner of modern Christmas puddings. It has its origins in a Celtic legend of the harvest god Dagda, who stirred a porridge made up of all the good things of the Earth.
• Frustrated at the lack of interest in his new toy invention, Charles Pajeau hired several midgets, dressed them in elf costumes, and had them play with "Tinker Toys" in a display window at a Chicago department store during the Christmas season in 1914. This publicity stunt made the construction toy an instant hit. A year later, over a million sets of Tinker Toys had been sold.
• Gene Autry first recorded "Here Comes Santa Claus"
• George Washington spent Christmas night 1776 crossing the Delaware River in dreadful conditions. Christmas 1777 fared little better - at Valley Forge, Washington and his men had a miserable Christmas dinner of Fowl cooked in a broth of Turnips, cabbage and potatoes.
• Germany made the first artificial Christmas trees. They were made of goose feathers and dyed green.
• Glittery bits of metal called Tinsel are hung on a Christmas tree
• Good King Wenceslas was king of Bohemia who 'looked out 'on the Feast of Stephen' on December 26
• Greeks do not use Christmas trees or give presents at Christmas. A priest may throw a little cross into the village water to drive the kallikantzari (gremlin-like spirits) away. To keep them from hiding in dark, dusty corners, he goes from house to house sprinkling holy water.
• Hallmark introduced its first Christmas cards in 1915, five years after the founding of the company.
• Harry Potter received an "invisibility cloak." for Christmas in his first semester at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry