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With the holiday season approaching, now is the ideal time to teach Christmas facts to kids. Every winter during the late end of December, Christmas marks the Nativity of Jesus Christ. Nothing makes you happier than seeing the youngsters’ small faces light up with joy and wonder. Fascinating Information can help evoke these feelings. So, if you want your kids to enjoy the Christmas season even more, share some amazing facts about Christmas. Read through this post to learn more.
Fun Christmas Facts For Kids They Will Love
Here are some fun facts about Christmas for kids that you can share:
- The Christmas trees are also known as Yule trees.
- The trees used as Christmas trees are usually a fir tree, a pine tree or a spruce tree and are evergreen trees.
- Those who believe in the tradition of Christmas believe that the official start to Christmas happens when Santa makes an appearance at the end of Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.
- Alabama became the first state in the US in the year 1836 that declared that Christmas would be celebrated as a legal holiday.
Image: Shutterstock
- Oklahoma became the last state in the US in the year 1907 that declared that Christmas would be celebrated as a legal holiday.
- Do you know why Christmas is sometimes also referred to as X-Mas? The X in the X Mas means the word ‘Christ’ in the Greek language. So, to use a shorter version of the word Christmas, it is also sometimes referred to as X Mas.
- A common belief about decorations for Christmas with candy canes and other items is that the trend of decorating trees for Christmas began sometime in the 16th century in Germany. It is believed that Christians began bringing decorated trees to their homes to celebrate Christmas, which soon became a tradition and continues today.
- In the year 1970 in the month of June, the US government declared Christmas as a federal holiday in the US.
- The Catholic Church had earlier placed a ban on giving any presents during the time of Christmas, as it believed the exchanging presents was related to paganism. The ban was however lifted later.
- The year 1895 saw the first ever electric tree lights being used for Christmas.
Image: Shutterstock
- In the very first times when the tradition of decorating trees for Christmas began, the popular items that were used to decorate the trees were food items such as cookies, nuts, dates, apples, and other fruits.
- Have you listened to the song ‘The 12 Days of Christmas?’ If you received all the presents that are mentioned there in the song, you would have a total of 364 presents!
- Have you ever wondered why it is called ‘The 12 Days of Christmas?’ According to popular tradition, it is believed that the three kings who began on their journey to find the baby Jesus took 12 days actually to do so.
- Sometime during the 18th century, candles were used for the first time to decorate the trees for Christmas.
Image: Shutterstock
- In the year 1857, a man named James Pierpont wrote the song that is known as ‘Jingle Bells.’ In the beginning, the song was originally known as ‘One Horse Open Sleigh.’ Also, the song was meant to be used for Thanksgiving and not as one of the Christmas carols, as it is popularly done now.
- There are two islands that are called Christmas. The first one is in the Pacific Ocean and was earlier known as Kiritimati while it is now known as the Christmas Island. The second one is in the Indian Ocean and is also known as the Christmas Island.
- In the year 1950, the tallest Christmas tree was displayed in Seattle. It is the tallest one ever displayed and stood at a height of 221 feet!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many gifts should a child get for Christmas?
Some parents base their decision to offer three gifts on religious reasons because the baby Jesus received three gifts. While some parents may use the “four present rule,” in which the gifts are given to children based on what they need, want, read, and wear.
2. Why is Christmas important for children?
Apart from the celebration and presents, Christmas teaches children some valuable lessons, so celebrating with them is crucial. Children learn about kindness, forgiveness, and understanding. Showing kindness by offering presents, cards, and meals to people. Forgiveness because Christmas is a season for joy, not for bitterness, and understanding of Christian beliefs.
3. What is the origin of the Christmas tree tradition?
The Christmas tree custom can be traced back to ancient pagan rituals that acknowledged the winter solstice. It was then entwined with Christian ideas and is now widely used as a Christmas symbol, symbolizing life, renewal, and the festive mood.
4. Why do people hang stockings by the fireplace for Christmas?
Christmas stockings are hung beside the fireplace as part of a tradition that stems from the narrative of Saint Nicholas. According to folklore, Saint Nicholas once secretly delivered gold coins to a family by slipping them down the chimney, and the coins dropped in the stockings that were hanging by the fireplace to dry. This gave rise to the custom of hanging stockings in the hope of receiving gifts over the Christmas season.
5. How did Santa Claus become a part of Christmas celebrations?
Saint Nicholas, a Christian saint noted for his generosity, and other legendary characters such as Father Christmas and Sinterklaas influenced the current symbol of Santa Claus. These legends and traditions blended throughout time, and the popular picture of Santa Claus as a joyful, gift-giving character in a red suit arose and came to be associated with Christmas (1).
6. What are some popular Christmas symbols and their meanings?
Christmas is a holiday adorned with numerous symbols. The Christmas tree, a prominent symbol, represents life, renewal, and a spirit of positivity. Lights symbolize inner light and bring a cozy ambiance to the holiday season. Another significant symbol is the act of giving gifts, which conveys the message of serving others and spreading joy (2).
7. What are some traditional Christmas foods enjoyed around the world?
Traditional Christmas food enjoyed around the world includes roasted turkey, Christmas pudding, tamales, and gingerbread cookies.
8. How do people celebrate Christmas in different countries?
Christmas is celebrated differently in various countries, with varying customs and traditions. This can involve attending religious services, distributing gifts, decorating Christmas trees, making special feasts, singing carols, and taking part in cultural festivals specific to each country.
9. Why do people decorate their homes with lights during Christmas?
During Christmas, people decorate their homes with lights to create a festive and joyous ambiance. During the bleak winter months, the lights represent a celebration of light and hope.
10. How did the tradition of hanging mistletoe come about?
The Christmas custom of hanging mistletoe extends back to ancient times and is thought to have originated in Celtic and Norse traditions. It was thought to represent love, fertility, and protection.
Sharing some cool and exciting Christmas facts for kids will definitely heighten the excitement and joy this festive season brings. So, while your entire family gets together to enjoy Christmas, you may use all of these fun facts listed above to divert your kids’ attention from their phones and toward you.They can learn about the origins of Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and a variety of other Christmas customs, such as the merry snowman spreading holiday cheer, the devoted reindeer hauling Santa’s sleigh, and the diligent elves at work in Santa’s workshop.And while you’re doing it, tell them about the true meaning of Christmas and some fascinating facts about Jesus.
Infographic: Exciting Facts About Christmas For Children
Christmas fosters a sense of joy, happiness, and sharing with friends and family. Children especially love this occasion because it brings joy, sweet delicacies, and many gifts. So this Christmas season, share some exciting and lesser-known Christmas facts with children from the infographic below to level up their excitement.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Teach children fun facts about the holiday season during Christmas.
- Facts cover Christmas tree origins, history of Christmas as legal holiday, and gift-giving traditions.
- Interesting facts include the name “X-Mas” origin and use of spiders as symbols of goodwill in Poland.
- Learn about Christmas tree decorations, first use of electric lights, and Seattle’s tallest tree display.
- Expand children’s knowledge on holiday topics, from historical to cultural significance.
Download
ShareChristmas is a special time of year! Learn all about it with this fun video for kids and discover Christmas history, traditions, and facts!
References
- The Legend of Santa Claus: Part 1. The Origin and History of a Christmas Legend; St. Tammany Parish Library
- Significance of Christmas & its symbols by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar; The Art of Living
