More of Did You Know?

Well, I turned on my television this morning and on one of the music channels...Sounds of the Seasons...they are now playing Christmas music until at least New Year's Day. Those big holidays are just around the corner. As I was watching the music channel, I wrote down some of the info they were displaying while playing the tunes. Here goes:

1. In Russia the gift giver is Grandfather Frost.
2. Americans chow down on 22 million turkeys at Christmas compared to 45 million at Thanksgiving!
3. The Charles Dickens 1843 story Christmas Carol, has been filmed over 200 times. I love the Scrooge story!
4. The world's largest gingerbread man was baked in Olso, Norway in 2009. It weighed 1,435 lb. Now that's a big man!!
5. Christmas tree angels were introduced in the 1850's.
6. Say it in writing! About 1.5 billion Christmas cards are sent a year in the United States.
7. During WW11, crowds gathered in Times Square to celebrate the holidays with a moment of silence followed by chimes.
8. Jingle Bells was published by James Pierpont in 1857.
9. New York city, Boston, Hartford put up the first community Christmas trees in 1912.
10. There are about 15,000 Christmas tree growers in the United States.

I thought this was interesting and wanted to share it with you.

Location of Santa's Workplace

In 1879, Thomas Nast, revealed to the world in a series of drawings that Santa's Workshop is at the North Pole. However, it is less clear which North Pole Thomas Nast was referring to. The two commonly referred to North Pole's for Santa's workshop are the Geographic North Pole and the Magnetic North Pole. However, one can deduce from film and pictures the aurora borealis centres on Santa's Workshop, indicating the workshop is at the Magnetic North Pole in Northern Canada. Once a year a train, the Polar Express travels to the Santa's Workshop. It is doubtful train tracks could be rebuilt on polar ice each winter. In 1994, United States Air Force pilots reported they have seen no signs of a workshop at the Geographic North Pole in the physical realm.  In the same year, Canada Post issued Santa's Workshop it's own postal code H0 H0 H0. In 2004 nuclear submarines surfaced at the North Pole, proving once and for all Santa Workshop is not at the Geographic North Pole.

From Wikipedia

Holly

Holly berries are somewhat toxic and will cause vomiting and/or diarrhea when ingested by people, partly due to the ilicin content. The fatal dose is estimated to be around twenty berries for adults. However they are extremely important food for numerous species of birds, and also are eaten by other wild animals. In the fall and early winter the berries are hard and apparently unpalatable. After being frozen or frosted several times, the berries soften, and become milder in taste. During winter storms, birds often take refuge in hollies, which provide shelter, protection from predators (by the spiny leaves), and food.

Other popular holiday plants are the poinsettia, misletoe, Christmas cactus, and amaryllis.

Christmas Facts

Glitter Graphics, Christmas Glitter Graphics


     Did you know that:

1. In Denmark, they leave a bowl of rice pudding for Santa Claus.

2. Norway sends a large tree to England on an annual basis.

3. A festive "Great Bullfight" is held every Christmas in Peru.

4. The evergreen tree is a symbol of eternal life offered to Christians through faith in Christ.

5. In Holland, the gift bringer is Sinter Klaas.

6. Charlie Brown-1965-Lucy says the best snowflakes are January snowflakes.

7. In Germany, Bavarians go into the mountains and fire pistols in honor of Christmas.

8. A stoneman, Charles Pajeau, invented Tinker Toys in 1913.

9. In 1997, 96% of children between the ages of 8-12 included a big screen TV on their holiday wish list.....WOW!

10. 1.76 billion candy canes were made during the holiday season.

11. The largest yo-yo weighs 896 pounds.

12. Santa Claus is Coming To Town was written in 1934.

13. The most complete "Christmas Story" was told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

14. Dutch children receive wooden shoes filled with candy and toys at Christmas.

15. Christmas Cards originated in England and were first sent during the 1840's.

16. Americans spent 13.8 billion during the "2001" holiday shopping season.

17. The first Christmas Trees were suspended from the ceiling.

18. On Christmas Eve in Spain, children fill their shoes with straw.

19. In Norway, the last Sunday before Christmas is called Dirty Sunday.

20. In Austria, gluhwein, or mulled wine is enjoyed at Christmas.

21. Erector sets were the most popular Christmas gift in 1913.

22. In Finland, Santa is called Joulupukki.

23. Holly is a symbol of rebirth and has come to stand for peace and joy.

24. The german word Christkindl, means Christ child who was the gift giver.