Christmas traditions

* Early Christmas trees were often decorated with apples, nuts and candles.

* In 1834, Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert brought the first Christmas tree to Windsor Castle for the Royal family.

* The tradition of a holiday tree has been around since ancient times and has played an important part in winter      celebrations for many centuries.

* That old Christmas favourite Jingle Bells, much loved by children at Christmas parties, wasn’t actually written for Christmas at all. Originally titled One Horse Open Sleigh, it was written in 1857 by James Pierpoint for the US celebration of Thanksgiving.

* The tradition of the UK monarch delivering a speech to the nation on Christmas Day began in 1932.

* Poinsettia, a flower with close associations to Christmas, originated in Mexico where it is known as Flower of the Holy Night.

* The fifth Sunday before Christmas is known as stir-up Sunday. It is considered lucky on this day for everyone in a household to help stir the Christmas pudding.