Unwrapping the Unusual: Five Strange Facts About Christmas

Christmas is a time of joy, tradition, and festive cheer. However, behind the twinkling lights and holiday carols, there are some strange and fascinating facts that you might not have known about this beloved holiday. Let’s unwrap the unusual and discover five intriguing facts about Christmas that will leave you amazed.

The holiday season is filled with tradition, but it’s also a treasure trove of strange and surprising facts about Christmas. From the origin of Christmas lights to the Christmas pickle and the global variations of Santa Claus, these unusual tidbits add an extra layer of wonder to the holiday season.

The Origin of Christmas Lights

We all love decorating our homes with colorful Christmas lights, but do you know where this tradition comes from? It dates back to the 17th century when candles were used to adorn Christmas trees. However, these early lights posed a significant fire hazard. In 1882, Edward H. Johnson, an inventor and close friend of Thomas Edison, created the first electric Christmas lights. They were initially hand-wired with 80 red, white, and blue bulbs and hung on his Christmas tree in New York City. From this bright idea, the tradition of electric Christmas lights was born.

The Christmas Pickle

In some parts of the United States, there’s a quirky tradition involving a Christmas pickle ornament. The tradition goes that parents hide a small pickle-shaped ornament deep within the Christmas tree, and the child who finds it first on Christmas morning gets an extra gift or is said to have good luck for the coming year. Despite its German origins, the Christmas pickle remains a curious and cherished holiday custom for many American families.

Santa Claus: Man of Many Names

Santa Claus is known by many names around the world, reflecting the diverse cultures that celebrate Christmas. In Germany, he’s Kris Kringle; in France, Père Noël; in Italy, Babbo Natale. However, his most peculiar name might be in Iceland, where he’s known as “Jólasveinarnir,” which translates to “Yuletide Lads.” These mischievous characters are said to visit children in the 13 days leading up to Christmas, leaving small gifts or potatoes for well-behaved kids and rotten potatoes for the naughty ones.

Christmas Cards: A Pioneering Tradition

Sending Christmas cards is a beloved tradition, but it’s also a bit strange when you consider its history. The first commercial Christmas card was designed in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole, a British civil servant. He commissioned John Horsley, an artist, to create a card with an image of a family celebrating the holiday, and it included the greeting, “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” Though it seems ordinary now, sending Christmas cards was once a groundbreaking way to spread holiday cheer.

The World’s Largest Gingerbread House

You’ve probably made gingerbread houses during the holiday season, but have you ever seen one that could double as a house? The Guinness World Record for the largest gingerbread house was achieved in Bryan, Texas, in 2013. This extraordinary edible creation stood 21 feet tall, 60 feet long, and 42 feet wide. It required 35,823,400 calories worth of ingredients and served as a fundraiser for a local hospital.

The holiday season is filled with tradition, but it’s also a treasure trove of strange and surprising facts about Christmas. From the origin of Christmas lights to the Christmas pickle and the global variations of Santa Claus, these unusual tidbits add an extra layer of wonder to the holiday season. So, as you celebrate this Christmas, remember that there’s always more to learn and discover about this festive time of year.