1. The exact date of Jesus' birth is unknown, but December 25th was chosen as Christmas Day by the Roman Catholic Church in the 4th century.
2. Christmas trees have pagan origins, dating back to ancient Rome and Egypt. They were originally decorated with symbols of the sun and moon.
3. The tradition of Santa Claus is based on Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop who was known for his generosity to children.
4. The first Christmas card was sent in England in 1843. Today, over 2.6 billion Christmas cards are sent each year in the United States alone.
5. Eggnog was originally a drink made with eggs, milk, sugar, and spices. It was not until the 19th century that eggnog became associated with Christmas.
6. The first Christmas gift exchange took place in 336 AD, when the Roman emperor Constantine gave gifts to his soldiers.
7. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. It was believed that mistletoe had magical powers, including the ability to bring fertility.
8. The first electric Christmas lights were invented in 1882 by Thomas Edison.
9. The song "Jingle Bells" was written in 1857. It was originally called "One Horse Open Sleigh."
10. The most popular Christmas carol in the world is "Silent Night." It has been translated into over 300 languages.