No doubt about it: the holiday season is on its way!
Stores are already sparkling with fairy lights, homes are showing off their best Christmas trees, and your list of Christmas gift ideas is starting to fill up!
At Wonderblog, we absolutely love this time of year, which is why we decided to dig a little deeper into the secrets behind this much-loved holiday!
After plenty of research, here are 10 fun and surprising Christmas facts you probably didnât know, perfect for impressing and entertaining your loved ones around the Christmas Eve dinner table!
A sparkling Christmas
Everyone knows it: Coca-Cola had a huge influence on Christmas and how we picture it today.
But how exactly? Wonderblog spills the tea!
Before Coca-Cola stepped in, Santa Claus wasnât the jolly old man with a sack full of Christmas gifts that we all know today.
In earlier depictions, he was shown in a much less friendly way: no fluffy white beard, no round belly, and a rather stern face instead.
It was only in 1931 that the warm, kind-looking Santa Claus we know today appeared in a Coca-Cola advertisement.
For the very first time, Santa was dressed in red, the brandâs signature color, with the cozy look of a sweet, grandfather-like figure.
This version of Santa was created by illustrator Haddon Sundblom, hired specifically for the campaign, who imagined a more approachable, joyful Santa Claus to make him more appealing to consumers.
Since then, Santa has been pictured as a smiling man with a big build, a long white beard and a bright red suit.
A great story to tell during Christmas dinner or while your loved ones are unwrapping their Christmas gifts!
A colorful holiday season
Even if Coca-Cola helped make red a modern Christmas symbol, things were very different before that!
In the past, the colors linked to Christmas were more varied, and each one had its own specific meaning.
One of the very first traditional Christmas colors was green.
Green symbolized life and rebirth, closely tied to the story of Christ.
Today, green is still associated with Christmas, but mainly through elements like the Christmas tree or holly branches!
The second color linked to Christmas was red. So no, Coca-Cola didnât invent everything!
Red originally represented the blood of Christ. A lot less cheerful than Santaâs suit or the Christmas stockings hanging by the fireplaceâŠ
Finally, the third color used to represent Christmas was gold.
Gold stood for light, royalty and wealth.
Just like green and red, gold is still used today to add a festive touch to Christmas decorations!
A very original Christmas gift idea
Every year itâs the same question: which Christmas gift idea will really make them happy? What Christmas gift should you get for a woman in your life? Whatâs the perfect Christmas gift idea for a couple?
Finding the perfect gift idea isnât always easy. And yet⊠France nailed it!
In 1886, France gave the United States an unforgettable Christmas present: the Statue of Liberty!
Still considered one of the biggest Christmas gifts ever given, this fun fact is sure to impress your guests on Christmas Eve!
The legend behind Christmas gifts
From childhood, weâre told that Santa Claus is a generous man flying across the sky on a sleigh pulled by magical reindeer.
But where does this legend come from? Wonderblog explains it all!
This famous Christmas story is actually inspired by the tale of Saint Nicholas.
He was known for bringing toys and sweets to good children, while the sinister PĂšre Fouettard was in charge of giving coal to those who misbehaved.
In that story, Saint Nicholas delivered gifts on a humble donkey⊠not exactly ideal when you have thousands of children to visit!
So in 1821, American author Clement Moore wrote a Christmas tale in which a bearded, kind man traveled around the world in a sleigh pulled by reindeer to deliver Christmas gifts.
A charming anecdote to share with your loved ones on Christmas Day!
A musical month of December
Christmas gifts are a huge part of the holidays, but so are Christmas carols!
Perfect for setting a warm, festive mood, these songs have shaped childhood memories for generations.
Did you know that one of these famous carols was written in just one evening?
The Austrian song âSilent Night, Holy Nightâ, composed in 1818, was created in only a few hours by a priest.
Why?
Because after a problem with the church organ, he had to find a quick solution to ensure the midnight mass could go ahead. In just one night, one of the worldâs most iconic Christmas carols was born!
A melodic story that proves you can still find great ideas at the very last minute!
So if youâre still looking for a last-minute Christmas gift idea, donât panic and check out our gift boxes with instant delivery!
Whether you choose a physical box or an e-voucher, you can be sure your Christmas gift will arrive in time for the big day!
Christmas: solo or in pairs?
December is usually associated with love, sharing and togetherness⊠but not always!
According to a Facebook study based on user messages, the two weeks before Christmas show a spike in breakups among couples.
On the other hand, Christmas Eve itself is the day with the fewest breakups.
So if your favorite couple breaks up before the big day and your coupleâs gift idea falls apart with them, donât stress!
With Wonderbox, you can enjoy free and unlimited exchanges and swap your present for another unforgettable Christmas gift idea!
A delicious Christmas tradition
The holiday season is all about twinkling trees, Christmas gifts and, of course, a festive feast shared with loved ones!
And what better way to end Christmas dinner than with the iconic Yule log for dessert?
But do you know where this sweet tradition comes from? We do!
Eating a Yule log cake is actually inspired by a pagan ritual in which families kept a real log burning in their fireplace from December 24 to January 1.
This ritual celebrated the longest night of the year, also known as the winter solstice.
Over time, the custom faded and was gradually replaced by the edible Yule log we know today as the classic Christmas dessert. Quite a transformation, right?
If youâre looking for a Christmas gift as tempting as this dessert, explore our tasty Christmas gift ideas for food lovers and gourmet families!
Unique Christmas decorations
Every year, you decorate your tree with your favorite Christmas ornaments: garlands, fairy lights, shiny baubles⊠the works!
But Christmas trees havenât always looked like this. Until around 1850, trees were mostly decorated with apples to represent the story of Adam and Eve.
In 1858, a severe drought hit the northern Vosges and Moselle regions, making it impossible to harvest apples to hang on Christmas trees.
As a backup plan, a glassblower came up with the idea of creating glass baubles to replace the apples. Without realizing it, heâd just invented one of the most famous Christmas decorations in the world!
Christmas among the stars
Christmas is celebrated all over the world, no matter the country or its traditions.
And believe it or not, it has even been celebrated in space! In 1965, the crew of the Gemini 6 spacecraft joined in the festive spirit and broadcast the famous song âJingle Bellsâ during their mission.
It became the first song ever played in space: a Christmas moment that was truly out of this world!
A Christmas gift idea for the impatient
Whether youâre a child or an adult, waiting for Christmas Day can feel painfully long!
Between the excitement of opening your Christmas gifts, the joy of watching loved ones unwrap theirs, and the thought of a delicious holiday feast, itâs hard to be patient.
Thankfully, we have Advent calendars to help the countdown feel a little more fun! But do you know where this tradition comes from? We do!
The idea was created in 1904 by a German bookseller named Gerhard Lang, inspired by his childhood memories.
His mother used to help him wait for Christmas by hanging up 24 small biscuits, each with a numbered card.
From this memory came the modern Advent calendar we all know today: the perfect gift idea for anyone who canât wait for Christmas morning!
If this article sparked your curiosity, our Christmas gift ideas will inspire you even more! From gourmet food and travel to adrenaline-packed activities and wellness escapes, youâre sure to find unforgettable Christmas gift ideas for everyone on your list.
