Jingle bells Jingle bells jingle all the way!! The carol puts you in a Christmas mood and brings with it memories of the years gone by and the many December moons. Christmas, the festival of giving, sharing and rejoicing is that time of the year when everything appears radiant. Carols are sung, houses decorated and the whole place is vibrant with the festive preparations.

Besides singing, dancing and merry making you will be pleasantly surprised to learn few facts regarding the festival. Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December every year. December is that time of the year when the world spruces up for the festivities. Be it Catholics or non Christians, the festival is renowned the world over, irrespective of cast and creed.

Christmas is a day to enjoy with gifts, cakes, wine and sweets. With all the hype and commercialization it is hard to believe that most of us have overlooked the importance of the day. So let us remind ourselves of a few facts that embrace the celebrations.

Happiness: It is the happiest time of the year. An estimated majority of people are in high spirits just by the thought of the fast approaching festival. Carols are sung and there is music all around.

Red: The color red is the Christmas color. Red candles, red berries, red flowers, red ornaments and what's more? Santa Claus dressed in a red garb is the icing on the cake for the festive season. The color red is also symbolic of Christ's blood and his sacrifice for us.

Intent: The time of Christmas brings in a feeling of good intentions in people for others. There is compassion, charity and a feeling of brotherhood during the festive season.

Smile: It is a known fact that people around the world smile the most during Christmas.

Togetherness: People spend more time with family during Christmas. Be it the spring cleaning or festive decorations, Christmas is a time of gaiety and togetherness.

Merry: It is not a mere decorum to wish one another Merry Christmas but the hearts are merrier too.

Abundance: There is plenty of love, cheer and good wishes for all during Christmas. There is thanksgiving and those who have more, give more to the needy. It is a time of abundant giving which makes one richer in deeds.

Sharing: This is the time to share not only material gifts but also love, happiness, and the spirit of oneness.

Besides these facts, there are a few 'did you know' particulars that may just have you asking for more. Well it is believed that bread baked on Christmas day never goes moldy. The Christmas pudding that you so relish were once made in the soup consistency with ingredients like raisins and wine. Did you know that Christmas was not celebrated on the 25 of December till AD 440?You will be amazed to know that Oliver Cromwell abolished Christmas and declared it to be a normal working day in the year 1649. People caught celebrating the festival were arrested.

Moving on to postcards and letters,

• The first British Christmas card was sent in 1840.
• The British Post Office used to deliver Christmas cards on Christmas morning until 1961.
• The Daily newspapers were published on Christmas Day until 1912.
• The first Christmas stamp was released in Canada in 1898.

Have you heard of Christmas crackers? Well they were invented by Thomas Smith. Initially the novelties which he got from France did not do very well as Christmas gifts so he wrapped them into a tube and added a snapper to make them appear more appealing.

Interesting isn’t it? Well it would be even more fascinating if some research was done regarding the culture and region specific celebration of Christmas across the world. Christmas celebrations in India are akin to that elsewhere. The only difference is perhaps in the Christmas goodies and other delicacies that are native to a particular region.

December with its chilly evenings is the perfect time to sing and make merry. Red being the color of the festival is set to spread vivacity like never before. As December is fast approaching gear up for the festival of singing, dining, sharing and merry making.