Corporate Events Blog

Christmas is right around the corner and I hope you have gotten all your shopping done, or most of it!  I’d like to share some of my Christmas spirit with everyone and give you some interesting facts about Christmas!

1. Christmas trees have been sold in the U.S. since 1850.
2. Each year there are approximately 20,000 “rent-a-Santas” across the United States. “Rent-a-Santas” usually undergo seasonal training on how to maintain a jolly attitude under pressure from the public. They also receive practical advice, such as not accepting money from parents while children are looking and avoiding garlic, onions, or beans for lunch.
3. Christmas wasn’t declared an official holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870.
4. Alabama was the first state in the United States to officially recognize Christmas in 1836.
5. A Yule log is an enormous log that is typically burned during the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25-January 6). Some scholars suggest that the word yule means “revolution” or “wheel,” which symbolizes the cyclical return of the sun. A burning log or its charred remains is said to offer health, fertility, and luck as well as the ability to ward off evil spirits.
6. The poinsettia is native to Mexico and was cultivated by the Aztecs, who called the plant Cuetlaxochitl (“flower which wilts”). For the Aztecs, the plant’s brilliant red color symbolized purity, and they often used it medicinally to reduce fever. Contrary to popular belief, the poinsettia is not poisonous, but holly berries are.
7. Christmas purchases account for 1/6 of all retail sales in the U.S.
8. during the 17^th century, craftsmen created white sticks of candy in the shape of shepard’s crooks at the suggestion of the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.  The candy treats were given to children to keep them quiet during ceremonies at the living crèche, or Nativity scene, and the custom of passing out the candy crooks at such ceremonies soon spread through Europe.
9. Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is probably the result of a parasitic infection of his respiratory system.
10. All the gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas would equal 364 gifts.

Merry Christmas!