Christmas Countdown 2021

100 days until December 1st!

In the late Victorian period a tradition grew up that Christmas puddings should be made on or immediately after the Sunday "next before Advent", i.e. four to five weeks before Christmas.

There could be deer running across the Motorway!

Rudolph's the Red Nose Reindeer story was originally written in verse by Robert L May for the Montgomery Ward chain of department stores.

For most children in The Netherlands, the most important day during December is 5th December, when Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) brings them their presents! Nicholas' Day is on the 6th December, but in The Netherlands, the major celebrations are held on the 5th December, St. ... Nicholas' Eve.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is the largest parade in the World it started in 1924. The parade lasts three hours and is held in Manhattan.

Since 1961, snow has fallen on 17 Christmas Days in Ireland. (1961, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1970, 1980, 1984, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2009 and 2010), with nine of these having snow lying on the ground at 09:00 (1964, 1970, 1980, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2010). The maximum amount of lying snow ever recorded on Christmas Day was 27 cm (11 in) at Casement Aerodrome in 2010.

Not really a fact Today. The last time we had all the same number in the countdown was when it was 222 days to go back in early June.

Now however we'll have one nearly every eleven days between now and Christmas.(I hope that makes sense)

Happy Xmas(War is Over) was released in the US on the 1st of December 1971 and on the 24th November 1972.

KFC is often eaten on Christmas Day in Japan. In 1974 they ran a marketing campaign called Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii, or Kentucky for Christmas. They call it a Party Barrel. It's not just chicken, cake, and wine can be included also. It can account for a third of their yearly sales and often needs to be ordered in advance.

In the Philippines a Christmas Ham is sometimes served, It is called hamón from the Spanish word for Ham jamón. It can often be soaked in Kumquat and Lime juice.

Hamonado is also served, This is when meat is marinated in a sweet pineapple sauce.(Pineapple Juice, Brown Sugar and Soy Sauce). The meat mainly fatty cuts of pork but Chicken or Beef may also be used. The meat is then browned and left to simmer in stock, marinade and Pineapple chunks until it falls apart.

Some of the most popular gifts from the year 2000 included!

Tekska Robotic Dog, Micro Scooter, Amazing Ally, Pokemon Pokedex and Nokia 3310.

• In France is a meal that is had on Christmas Eve. Starters may include Lobsters, Oysters, Escargots. Turkey with Chestnuts is also consumed. For dessert they may have Yule Log. In Provence there is a tradition of having thirteen desserts. This represents Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles. The thirteen desserts include dried fruit and nuts, fresh fruit, Biscotins, Calissons d'Aix(Marzipan and dried candied melon, cumin and fennel seed biscuits, Fruit tourtes, fried bugnes(Fried pasty with sugar),r fougasse à l'huile d'olive, (Cake made with olive oil), Black Nougat(Hard candy made with Almonds and Honey), Soft Nougat(Soft candy made with sugar, eggs, pistachio, almonds), Quince Cheese, Yule Log, Pain d'epices, Oreillettes,(Light thin waffles).

A group of 448 couples kissed under mistletoe in Kissimmee, Florida and a World Record made!

 Christmas Pudding is a traditional in Ireland, It is sometimes served with brandy being poured over it and then set alight. It was considered unlucky to cut the pudding before Christmas Day, and if the pudding broke during cooking the baker would be dead before next Christmas

In China it's tradition to eat an Peace Apple on Christmas Eve. They are sometimes shared as gifts amongst young people with a special message.