We’re spreading some holiday cheer with these 12 interesting holiday facts. Share with your family and friends at your holiday gatherings!
- Festivus for the Rest of Us! The Festivus tradition was popularized from an episode of Sienfeld, and invented from the show’s screenwriter David O’Keefe. The holiday is celebrated annually on December 23, which consists of a displaced aluminum pole & the following phases: Festivus Dinner, Airing of Grievances and Feats of Strength.
- There are 24 different time zones in the world, giving Santa 31 hours to deliver gifts, which equates to 823 homes per second.
- GO GREEN. The U.S. produces 25 percent more waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Do your part by choosing recycled materials, making your own decorations, giving gifts that require little to no packaging (i.e. gift cards, tickets, or homemade treats), sending an e-card, and turning off outdoor lighting at bedtime.
- 85% of all Christmas cards are purchased by woman.
- “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, was originally sung by poor English carolers at the doorsteps of the wealthy demanding figgy pudding. We won’t go until we get some!
- Poinsettias have been rumored to be deadly. The traditional Christmas flower, originally grown in Mexico, can be irritating to the skin, and may cause vomiting when ingested.
- Charles Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol”, between October – November of 1843. When the book
was a released it sold 6,000 copies by Christmas Day. - The largest gingerbread man in the world is weighed 466 pounds, six ounces. The Gingerbread House, in Rochester, Minnesota, baked the giant cookie on February 21, 2006.
- The emergency room treats an average of 15,000 holiday decorating injuries between November 1st – December 31st. Pro tip: Don’t drink and decorate.
- Facebook data reports that two weeks before Christmas is 1 of the 2 most popular times for couples to break up. Pro tip: Don’t wait until Christmas Day.
- The song, “Jingle Bells” was actually written for Thanksgiving, but the sleigh bells mentioned in the music made it a popular song at Christmas.
- Mistletoe has the ability to blossom in below freezing temperatures. Kissing under mistletoe that no longer has berries is considered bad luck.
Lisa Kallhoff is a Recruiter with the Physician division of Aureus Medical Group.
Interesting holiday facts! My most favorite is number 9. It is like a reminder to all of us of being extra careful on the activities that we are doing. It also helps us realize that there are hardworking physicians and nurses all over the world who chooses to serve at the hospitals and clinics and spend the holidays with patients that may have gotten an accident this holiday. Happy holidays to all of us!