 Breadcrumbs

  



   ![15 Fun Christmas Facts You Didn’t Know](https://media.sheerluxe.com/gKRVx8SCfsPsub-UGTcsHyrj6Rw=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F12%2Fnew-xmas-facts-2.jpg?itok=0GggRLYo)

  

 

 



 

 

[Life](/life)

 /  23 December 2020  

#  15 Fun Christmas Facts You Didn’t Know  


Whatever your Christmas is looking like this year – be it intimate celebrations with loved ones or mince pies over Zoom – these Christmas facts are guaranteed to spark some conversation. From the items that have been flying off the shelves at John Lewis lately, to lesser-known traditions from across the globe (fried chicken instead of turkey, anyone?), put your festive knowledge to the test with some annual Christmas trivia...  


[ Save To My Favourites ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/24875)

 

 



 

 

 

 

01

 

 

### Jingle Bells Was The First Song Played In Space

The crew of NASA’s Gemini 6A space flight got into the Christmas spirit and made history when they played Jingle Bells on 16th December, 1965, banking the Guinness World Record for being the first song ever played in space.

 

 

 

02

 

 

### It’s The Year For Staying At Home

At John Lewis, searches for Christmas pyjamas have soared by 284% in recent weeks compared to last year. Hardly surprising given the year we’ve had.

 

 

 

03

 

 

### There Are Nearly 750 Versions Of Silent Night

Silent Night has long been a Christmas song staple – in fact, it’s the most recorded Christmas hymn in history. According to Time magazine, there have been over 733 different versions of the carol copyrighted since 1978.

 

 

 

04

 

 

### People in Japan Eat KFC On Christmas Day

An estimated 3.6 million Japanese families enjoy the famous fast-food chicken on Christmas Day. Daily sales at some KFC outlets in the country can be ten times their usual intake and getting your hands on a KFC Christmas dinner requires ordering it weeks in advance.

 

 

 

05

 

 

### 6 Million

That’s the number of rolls of Sellotape sold in the UK in the run-up to Christmas. This Sellotape is used to wrap millions of presents – in fact, did you know the average child in the UK receives 16 presents on Christmas day?

 

 

 

06

 

 

### It’s Illegal To Eat Mince Pies On Christmas Day

In the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas pudding, mince pies and anything to do with gluttony. The law has never been rescinded, meaning it’s technically illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas Day in the UK.

 

 

 

07

 

 

### In Ukraine, People Decorate Their Homes With Spider’s Webs

The tradition has its origins in an old tale of a poor woman who couldn’t afford to decorate her tree and woke up on Christmas morning to discover a spider had covered it in a sparkling web. Today, in addition to fairy lights and baubles, Ukrainians place artificial spiders and webs on their trees.

 

 

 

 

08

 

 

### 647 Miles

That’s the length of Christmas lights sold at John Lewis this year – enough to travel from Plymouth to just beyond Aberdeen – you know, if we were allowed.

 

 

 

09

 

 

### There are 13 Santas In Iceland

Icelandic children get to enjoy 13 Father Christmases. Called the Yule Lads, these figures take turns visiting children on the 13 nights leading up to Christmas, leaving gifts in shoes left on a family’s windowsill. Their names include Licker, Door Sniffer and Meat Hook.

 

 

 

10

 

 

### We’re A Nation Of Mince Pie Lovers

The most-purchased item on Waitrose.com during the festive period is Waitrose’s No.1 All Butter Mince Pies. The most forgotten item – most commonly added as an amendment after checkout – is Fairtrade bananas.

 

 

 

11

 

 

### Donald Duck Features In Sweden On Christmas Eve

A large part of Sweden’s population watches Donald Duck cartoons every Christmas Eve – a tradition that started in 1960. Swedes are so compelled by the cartoon that, last year during the programme, mobile phone usage fell nearly 30%.

 

 

 

12

 

 

### British Women Cook Their First Festive Feast at 34

On average, British women don’t attempt their first Christmas lunch until the age of 34. Plus, 28% of British men admit their partner’s dinner is better than their mother’s.

 

 

 

13

 

 

### The UK Brussels Sprouts Industry Is Worth £650 Million

Moreover, the area of the UK covered by Brussels sprouts fields is equivalent to 3,240 football pitches.

 

 

 

14

 

 

### Father Christmas Has His Own Postcode In Canada

Children in Canada send letters to Father Christmas at Santa Claus, North Pole, H0H 0H0.

 

 

 

15

 

 

### You Have Dickens To Thank For The Dream Of A White Christmas

The idea of a white Christmas comes from Charles Dickens. The author lived during a mini-ice age, which meant it snowed for eight consecutive Christmases. However, the chances of a white Christmas in the UK today is just one in ten.

 

 

 

 

  

## *more from*

### Life



 [View All Life](/life) 

  ![Your December Horoscope](https://media.sheerluxe.com/DItNYr8xLEkFwB0HLUn6llPyftY=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fsl-011025-site-assets-horoscopes-hero-thumb.jpg?itok=SbqV-ogK)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  01 December 2025  

 [##  Your December Horoscope  


 

 ](/life/your-december-horoscope-4) 

 

 

 

  ![An M&S Flower Launch You Need To Know About](https://media.sheerluxe.com/0x2UNKOqVeLaNnbsnYB4FGLopc4=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F12%2Fsl-site-assets-011225-thumb-com-ms-flowers.jpg?itok=0PDXFh1u)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  01 December 2025  

 [##  An M&amp;S Flower Launch You Need To Know About  


 

 ](/life/an-ms-flower-launch-you-need-to-know-about) 

 

 

 

  ![A Day In The Life Of A BAFTA-Award Winning Writer-Actress ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/0ErUTwRTgfqEFcN4Xjkals2nUz0=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F11%2Fsl-site-assets-191125-thumb-hero-interview-nicole-lecky.jpg?itok=f4DBwY6c)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  19 November 2025  

 [##  A Day In The Life Of A BAFTA-Award Winning Writer-Actress  


 

 ](/life/nicole-lecky) 

 

 

 

  ![Your November Horoscope](https://media.sheerluxe.com/uy2n-HAGa_bUbJRGeiDpHaRV9h4=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fhorocopes-hero-thumb.jpg?itok=sweR5Gin)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  03 November 2025  

 [##  Your November Horoscope  


 

 ](/life/your-november-horoscope-3) 

 

 

 

  ![How Adopting A Pet Can Change 2 Lives](https://media.sheerluxe.com/PAwYrWsfW8Pu6uAXfZwsg-EmIlI=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fpetare-portrait-hero-hr.jpg?itok=07Jvj0sj)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  22 October 2025  

 [##  How Adopting A Pet Can Change 2 Lives  


 

 ](/life/how-adopting-a-pet-can-change-2-lives) 

 

 

 

  ![Go Behind The Scenes At Our Sukkot Lunch](https://media.sheerluxe.com/M0hy53QXhuiSDVlmKgbdfpnPdak=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fsl-151025-sukkot-lunch-thumb.jpg?itok=AopiPR8H)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  15 October 2025  

 [##  Go Behind The Scenes At Our Sukkot Lunch  


 

 ](/life/go-behind-the-scenes-at-our-sukkot-lunch) 

 

 

 

  ![Your December Horoscope](https://media.sheerluxe.com/DItNYr8xLEkFwB0HLUn6llPyftY=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fsl-011025-site-assets-horoscopes-hero-thumb.jpg?itok=SbqV-ogK)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  01 October 2025  

 [##  Your October Horoscope  


 

 ](/life/your-october-horoscope-5) 

 

 

 

  ![8 Thoughtful Gift Ideas For Older Relatives & Friends](https://media.sheerluxe.com/0kmT517DBBlNYu5KGXGye8gtLnQ=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fsl-gold-150925-site-assets-gifting-thumb.jpg?itok=kRLMY4kZ)

  

 

 



 

 [Life](/gold/life)/

  15 September 2025  

 [##  8 Thoughtful Gift Ideas For Older Relatives &amp; Friends  


 

 ](/life/8-thoughtful-gift-ideas-for-older-relatives-friends) 

 

 

 

  ![The Name To Know For Sophisticated & Compassionate Care In Later Life ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/ExxwhSEbX-WY5sHl3sEbpuGnPhY=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fsl-gold-150925-site-assets-kyn-comm-thumb.jpg?itok=zfYPm91c)

  

 

 



 

 [Life](/gold/life)/

  15 September 2025  

 [##  The Name To Know For Sophisticated &amp; Compassionate Care In Later Life  


 

 ](/life/the-name-to-know-for-sophisticated-compassionate-care-in-later-life) 

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 



  

 Share This Story

 [Facebook

 ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?display=popup&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com&u=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Flife%2F15-fun-christmas-facts-you-didnt-know&t=15+Fun+Christmas+Facts+You+Didn%E2%80%99t+Know) [ Pinterest

 ](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Flife%2F15-fun-christmas-facts-you-didnt-know&description=15+Fun+Christmas+Facts+You+Didn%E2%80%99t+Know&media=) [ E-mail

 ](<mailto:?subject=15 Fun Christmas Facts You Didn’t Know&body=Hi%0A%0AI&#039;ve just read this article https://sheerluxe.com/life/15-fun-christmas-facts-you-didnt-know and thought you might like it, too.%0A%0ASheerLuxe is your in-the-know friend keeping you up to date with everything new in fashion, beauty, culture, lifestyle %26 home.%0A%0AYou can sign up for the FREE daily newsletter here. https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsignup%3Fseed%3Dsharing%26utm_source%3DWebsite%26utm_medium%3DSL%26utm_campaign%3DEmail%26utm_id%3DSharing>) 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at <info@sheerluxe.com>.

 

 

 

  ##  Fashion. Beauty. Culture. Life. Home 

###  Delivered to your inbox, daily 

 [Subscribe](/signup)