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- In 1843, "A Christmas Carol" was written by Charles Dickens in just six weeks.
- In 1948, the Marine Corps adopted the Toys for Tots program and extended it across the nation.
- 85% of people in the United States mail holiday cards each year.
- More than 50,000 people are expected to attend 28 holiday parties at the White House in December 2009.
- Gift giving as we know it today is derived from St. Nicholas, a bishop who was known for giving children presents.
- Christmas cards account for 60% of all card sales. A distant second is Valentine's Day at 25%.
- The poinsettia plant was brought into the United States from Mexico by Joel Poinsett in the early 1800's.
- "White Christmas" (1954), starring Bing Crosby, was the first movie to be made in Vista Vision, a deep-focus process.
- The Nutcracker (Ballet) was adapted from The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, by German writer E.T.A. Hoffman.
- Arthur Rankin, Jr., and Jules Bass achieved fame in 1964 with their animated version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
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