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- Gift giving as we know it today is derived from St. Nicholas, a bishop who was known for giving children presents.
- Since 1933, the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular has been a mainstay for the holidays in New York City.
- The White House will have 780 feet of garland, 27 Christmas trees, 232 wreaths and 412 poinsettias.
- The poinsettia plant was brought into the United States from Mexico by Joel Poinsett in the early 1800's.
- The inventor of the Christmas "cracker" or bon-bon was Tom Smith who owned a sweet shop in London.
- Hallmark introduced its first Christmas cards in 1915, five years after the founding of the company.
- In Roman times, holiday gift giving was popular during Saturnalia, a winter solstice celebration.
- More than 50,000 people are expected to attend 28 holiday parties at the White House in December 2009.
- The traditional flaming Christmas pudding dates back to 1670 in England.
- Christmas cookies for Santa began during the Great Depression to inspire children to share with others in hard times.
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