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10. The earliest known reference to Christ's birthday being on December 25 was in a Roman calendar compiled in AD354. Why the date of December 25 was chosen is a bit of a mystery. Some say it was simply nine months after the date given for Christ's conception on March 25.

9. THE tradition of putting tangerines in stockings comes from 12th-century French nuns who left socks full of fruit, nuts and tangerines at the houses of the poor.

8. BEFORE turkey, the traditional Christmas meal in England was a pig's head and mustard.

7. THE Beatles hold the record for most Xmas number 1 singles, topping the charts in 1963, 65 and 67.

6. The custom of sending Christmas cards was started in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole…… His first Christmas card was designed by the painter John Callcott Horsley.

5. Kissing under the mistletoe is thought to spring from Frigga, the Norse goddess of love, who was associated with the plant.

4. In the Czech Republic they enjoy dinners of fish soup, eggs and carp. The number of people at the table must be even, or the one without a partner will die next year. (cheerful).

3. The earliest reference to a Christmas tree was in 1835 and the Christmas pudding in 1858.

2. Love's Labour's Lost and The Taming Of The Shrew are the only Shakespeare plays that mention Christmas.

1. The first song broadcast from space was Jingle Bells on December 16, 1965. Jingle Bells was originally written in 1857 for Thanksgiving.