Fun and "Firry" Christmas Trivia!

A little Christmas trivia and fun Christmas facts for you!

FDR officially moved Thanksgiving a week earlier to have a longer holiday shopping season.

"Toy" comes from the Old English word for "Tool"

Americans send twice as many Christmas cards as birthday cards.

Only 9% of Americans say they roast chestnuts over the holidays.

Four out of five homes in the U.S. decorate for Christmas.

78 million Americans say they hang and stand under mistletoe.

In the "Muppets Christmas Carol" (1992) Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy are the Cratchits, Bob and Emily.

"Silent Night" was composed on Christmas Eve in 1818. 

Jim Carrey played the Grinch in the 2001 remake of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

In Czechoslovakia carp is traditionally served on Christmas Eve.

December 6th, St. Nicholas Day, became the start of exchanging holiday gifts in Europe.

Puritans tried to abolish Christmas because of it's connection to the Pagan Yule festival.

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was first performed by Judy Garland in the movie "Meet Me in St. Louis."  (1944)

In "Frosty the Snowman" Santa tells Karen that snow never goes away completely.

The story of  Frosty is narrated by Jimmy Durante.

Jackie Vernon is the voice of Frosty.

"Noche-buena" means Christmas Eve in Spanish.

The color white in a candy cane symbolizes purity.

"Babes in Toyland" (1934) is also known as "March of Wooden Soldiers."

Silas Barnaby is the villain in Babes in Toyland.

In Poland the gift bringer is "Star Man."

Stripes were first put on candy canes in the 1900's.

German kids get presents from "Christindl" the Christ Child.

Over one million acres of land are planted with Christmas trees in the U.S.

One acre of Christmas trees provides enough oxygen for 18 people.

"Erector Sets" were the most popular toy for Christmas in 1913.

"Lego" blocks are named for the Danish phrase "leg godt". (Play well)

Donner is Santa's lead reindeer and Rudolph's father in "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." (1964)

"White Christmas" starred Vera-Allen who was also a Rockette.

Tim Allen's "The Santa Clause" (2002) made 29 million dollars it's opening weekend. 

 Seven out of ten British dogs get Christmas presents from their owners.

Valentine Davies won an Oscar for Best Original Story for "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947)

Miracle on 34th was written and directed by George Seaton.

"Charlie Brown's Christmas" won an Emmy in 1965.

"The Fir Tree" was written by Hans Christian Anderson.

December 25 was chosen for the celebration of Christ's birth by Pope Julius I in the 4th century.

 The Teddy Bear was the toy of 1903 and was named for Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt.

December 26th is known as "Boxing Day" in Canada and the UK and commemorates the feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. 

Boxing Day got its name when Queen Victoria was on the throne in the 1800s, when the rich would box up gifts to give to the poor.

In 2000 69% of all malls in the U.S. offered gift wrap service for Christmas.

In 1999 the average number of gifts wrapped per mall during the holiday season was 4154.

Roughly 54% of American houses that display a Christmas tree have a fake one.

The city of Santa Claus is located in Indiana.

In "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", Rudolph is not allowed to play games for his "glowing" nose.

In "A Christmas Story" (1983), all Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Rider BB gun.

 C):-)