Hidden Gems of Christmas Trivia

At Gift All Season, we consider ourselves connoisseurs of everything Christmas-related. We create the most exquisite, glass-blown Christmas ornaments around, and while we adore wonderfully decorated Christmas trees, we firmly believe ornaments are fitting for celebrations throughout the year. Occasionally, we refresh our Christmas knowledge to ensure we’re on top of things, and here are 10 fascinating Christmas facts that may surprise you.

1. Tinsel’s Silver Origins.

The beloved or detested strands of tinsel that linger in your carpet till June were once far pricier. Created in 1610 and crafted from real spun silver, tinsel wasn’t an affordable decoration. Though it originated in Germany, it made its way to the US, where at one point, the American government prohibited tinsel due to its lead content. Nowadays, neither lead nor silver are used in the making of modern stringy tinsel, now made from plastic.

2. An Arborous Thank You.

Each year since 1947, Norway has gifted a tree to Trafalgar Square in London to show continued gratitude for Britain’s World War II support of Norway. This enduring custom continues to foster good feelings and camaraderie across the Atlantic.

3. Spending a Fortune.

Americans are known for their generosity during the holiday season. According to 2017 National Retail Federation statistics, they spend an average of $1,000 on presents. In 2018, total retail sales in November and December soared to a staggering $717.45 billion. Gift giving is a deep-rooted tradition in the US, and naturally, we believe an ornament, such as our Santa With Face Mask ornament, should be part of the festivities!

4. Xmas Myths Debunked.

It’s often assumed that “Xmas” was an effort to remove Christ from Christmas, but that’s not the case. As early as the first century, “Christianity” was abbreviated as “Xianity”. In the Greek alphabet, “X” or “Chi” is the initial letter of “Christ” and was used symbolically. By 1551, the holiday was known as “Xtemmas,” which eventually shortened to “Xmas.” So there’s no need to worry; “Xmas” is as Christian as the word Christmas.

5. USPS’s Holiday Rush.

Similar to Santa’s sleigh, the USPS is inundated with packages and mail between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Last year, the estimated deliveries were 910 million packages and nearly 15 billion pieces of mail. Sending love and good wishes has never weighed so much! Also included in that total were the dreaded post-Christmas credit card bills (delivered by the Grinch).

6. Safety Over Sparkle.

A concerning statistic to keep you diligent about watering your Christmas tree: dried-out trees ignite around a hundred fires yearly, leading to an average of 10 deaths and $15.7 million in property damage. A dry tree becomes perfect kindling, so ensure your lights are functional and keep open flames away from it.

7. Decorating Dangers.

Each year, an estimated 15,000 individuals end up in the ER due to Christmas decoration mishaps (think: hanging lights, roof decorations, and stepping on broken ornaments). So, perhaps requesting a neck brace and band-aids from Santa might be wise. 

8. The Puritan Ban on Christmas.

True story. Between 1659 and 1691, anyone caught celebrating or decorating for Christmas was fined. It wasn’t until nearly a century later that Christmas was recognized as a federal holiday. The Puritans channeled the Grinch quite effectively.

9. A Carol’s Thanksgiving Origins.

The classic “Jingle Bells” was initially composed for Thanksgiving. Bobtail’s sleigh was on its way to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, not Christmas goose. In 1850, James Lord Pierpont wrote “One Horse Open Sleigh” for his church’s Thanksgiving concert. It was later republished under the same name, but Christmas claimed it from Thanksgiving.

10. Coca-Cola Shaped Santa’s Image.

Coca-Cola’s genius marketing team transformed Santa’s plain, slightly eerie image into the cheery, endearing figure we cherish today. Haddon Sundblom’s illustrations solidified Santa’s modern look, and Gift All Season cherishes a part of this history. We adore our Ginger Cottages Coca-Cola collection—it’s a blend of nostalgia and charm.

You’re now well-versed in some of Christmas’ most intriguing facts. Christmas is indeed a year-round celebration. The holiday boasts a rich history with a few hiccups along the way, but it remains a delightful occasion with an enduring spirit. For year-round inspiration, don’t miss our range of summer ornaments, travel ornaments, and other holiday ornaments.