Christmas tree:
In New Zealand, the pohutukawa tree is considered by many to be the native Christmas tree. It blossoms round Christmas and it is considered to be a good sign if the tree blossoms early. The pohutukawa was often called the “Settler’s Christmas tree” or the ‘Antipodeans’ Holly” A pohutukawa tree can grow up to 60 metres tall.
Santa Parade:
The Christmas parade started in New Zealand around the early 1900’s. It was originally established by department stores to promote the Santa Claus in the shop and to get the children and their parents to come in and shop.
Christmas Dinner in New Zealand:
New Zealand’s first Christmas dinner was celebrated in 1642 by Abel Tasman’s crew. It was freshly killed pork from the ship’s menagerie followed by extra rations of wine.
In 1769 James Cook’s crew marked the occasion with goose pie made from the sea bird gannet.
Unusual Facts:
If you put Christmas wrapping paper end to end it would go around the world over 4 times each Christmas.
If you put the rolls of sticky tape used at Christmas end to end they would stretch to the moon.
Turkeys have been on earth 9 million years longer than humans have.
Joke!
Question: What do you call a secret agent in a Christmas pie factory?
Answer: A mince spy.
Did You Know?
Christmas crackers are more likely to be found in Commonwealth countries than America. They were invented in 1847 by Tom Smith a lolly maker. The most expensive crackers can be bought from Harrods for over $1.000 U.S. which is over $1,284.00 N.Z.
John Horsley was the artist who drew the first Christmas Card. The Victorian era was when Christmas cards were first made.
The world’s largest Christmas present is the Statue of Liberty given to the U.S.A. by France in 1886. It is 46.5 meters high and weighs 225 tonnes.
The most expensive Christmas tree was decorated in The United Arab Emirates in 2010. It had an estimated cost of 11 million dollars.
The German’s made the first artificial Christmas tree out of dyed goose feathers.
In England they used to traditionally eat goose for Christmas. King Henry 8th introduced eating turkey while he was king.
You might like to check out some of these books for lots of fun facts and information about Christmas.
