Fun Facts for the Christmas Season
I came across an online article from Good Housekeeping entitled “32 Interesting Christmas Facts for a Fun Holiday Trivia Night.” Written by Asher Fogle and Lizz Schumer, this article will give you a new perspective on everything from Santa Claus to “Jingle Bells.” Here are a few of my favorites:
– Before Coca-Cola decided to use his image for advertising, Santa looked more spooky than jolly. In 1931, the beverage company hired an illustrator to depict the jolly old man for magazine ads. The image of Santa Claus we associate with today was born.
– The eight tiny reindeer have had lots of names! Rudolph was almost named Rollo or Reginald, and his crew was previously called Flossie, Glossie, Racer, Pacer, Scratcher, Feckless, Ready, Steady, and Fireball.
– “Jingle Bells” was originally a Thanksgiving song. James Lord Pierpont wrote “One Horse Open Sleigh” for his church’s Thanksgiving concert in the mid-19th century. Then, in 1857, the song was re-released under the title we all know and love.
– You better watch out! Here is one not-so-fun fact – it is estimated that 14,700 people visit hospital emergency rooms each November and December from holiday-related decorating accidents, totaling about 240 injuries per day. The most common accidents involve falling, lacerations, and back strains.
– Every year, letters to Santa Claus flood post offices across the world. Cementing their reputation as some of the nicest people ever, some big-hearted Canadian post office workers started writing back. As the program took off, they set up a special postal code for Santa: HOH OHO.
– The majority of Americans celebrate Christmas – roughly 85%. Not all of those who partake in Christmas celebrate the religious aspects of the holiday, but you can bet that come December 25th, most people are opening up presents under the tree.
Merry Christmas from Serenity Funeral Home. We wish you a peaceful and joyful holiday season. Contact us for all of your funeral and cremation needs at (435) 986-2085. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SerenityFuneralSTG.
Submitted by W. Russell Atkin, Licensed Funeral Director/Owner
