Fun Christmas Facts You Never Knew
(1) Christmas wasn’t always celebrated on December 25—the date was later chosen to align with winter festivals.
(2) Red & Green Didn’t Always Mean Christmas
While red and green are now inseparable from Christmas décor, their popularity really took off in the 19th century. Red symbolized warmth, love, and the heart—perfect for winter—while green represented life and hope during the darkest time of the year. Together, they created the ultimate cozy contrast… and a color combo artists still love painting today.
(3) Candy canes were invented to keep kids quiet during church services.
(4) Christmas Trees Were Once Considered “Weird”
When Christmas trees first appeared in homes, many people thought they were strange—even inappropriate. It wasn’t until Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were illustrated celebrating with one in the 1840s that trees became fashionable. Sometimes all it takes is one good picture to start a trend!
(5) The song “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time.
(6) The First Christmas Cards Were Kind of… Awkward
The very first commercial Christmas card (sent in 1843) showed a family drinking wine—along with images of helping the poor. Some people thought it promoted bad behavior! Today, cards are a little more wholesome… but still artistic keepsakes of the season.
(7) Reindeer actually have red noses when it’s cold—their noses are filled with blood vessels that help regulate temperature.
(8) Snowy Christmas Scenes Are More Fantasy Than Reality
Many of the classic snowy Christmas images we love were inspired by Europe—not the U.S. In fact, most parts of the country rarely get snow on Christmas Day. That dreamy white Christmas? It’s often more about mood than meteorology—something artists understand well.
(9) KFC for Christmas: In Japan, eating KFC is a popular Christmas tradition, with orders often needing to be placed months in advance due to high demand from a decades-old marketing campaign.
(10) Santa's official mailing address is "Santa Claus, 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888." But even if you simply write "Santa Claus" on the envelope, your letter will still get to him thanks to the United States Postal Service!
(11) Christmas Lights Started as Candles (Yes, Real Ones)
Before electric lights, families literally clipped candles onto their trees. Needless to say, it was a fire hazard. When electric Christmas lights debuted in the late 1800s, they were considered a luxury. Now? No holiday feels complete without that warm glow.
(12) Santa’s “naughty or nice” list was first mentioned in a 1934 Christmas song called “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”
(13) Santa Has Worn Many Colors
Before the modern red suit became iconic, Santa was often shown wearing green, blue, tan, or even brown. The red look became standardized in the 1930s—and artists have been painting him that way ever since.
(14) Xmas: The 'X' in Xmas comes from the Greek letter Chi (X), the first letter of "Christ" (Christos).
(15) Gold Is the “Secret” Christmas Color
Gold represents light, celebration, and a touch of magic—making it the perfect accent for holiday art. That’s why a little gold paint can instantly elevate a Christmas painting, ornament, or winter scene.
(16) The song “Jingle Bells” was originally written for Thanksgiving, not Christmas.
(17) Christmas Is One of the Most Painted Holidays in Art History
From Renaissance nativity scenes to modern whimsical winter artwork, Christmas has inspired artists for centuries. It’s a season full of emotion—joy, nostalgia, warmth—which makes it a natural muse for creativity.
(18) Banned Christmas: Christmas was once outlawed in some American colonies, including Boston (1659-1681), for being too rowdy.
(19) Handmade Gifts Are Proven to Feel More Meaningful
Studies show people feel more connected to gifts that are handmade or experience-based. A painting created together or given as a gift often carries more emotional weight than something store-bought.
(20) The world’s first artificial Christmas trees were made in Germany using dyed goose feathers.
** Bonus Fun Fact: Creativity Peaks During the Holidays
Between time off, social gatherings, and a break from routine, people tend to feel more creative in December.
Add a little paint (and maybe a glass of wine), and suddenly, big ideas begin to flow.
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