| OCR Text |
Show tnrisfmas Facts And Fancies Around The World The Christmas Seal originated orig-inated in Denmark in 1903 when a Danish postal clerk decided to ask people to buy a special Christmas stamp to help raise money for sick and needy children. The world's largest Christmas wrapping, 42 feet long and seven feet in diameter, diam-eter, was constructed as a showroom display at a garage ga-rage in Essex, England, according ac-cording to the Guinness Book of Records. It took two weeks to build and concealed a Ford Escort car. Flowers are among the most popular Christmas gifts throughout the world, ranging from the traditional evergreen wreath in northern north-ern Europe to the gay floral tributes used to decorate for South America's Christmas Fiestas. With Interflora, the international affiliate of FTD, it is possible to send a floral holiday greeting to almost any country in the world in less time than it takes to send a Christmas card! . Jolly old Santa Claus is not the only one delivering gifts at Christmastime. In Scandinavia, they are brought by little gnomelike creatures called "Yule Men," who are said to live hidden in the attic all year long. In Italy, they are left on Epiphany Eve (January 6th ) by a wrinkled old woman called Befana, whose arrival is announced by a bell. The Magi, the three wise men, bring gifts to Mexican children who, instead of hanging stockings, stock-ings, place their shoes on the windows.!!. One of the longest Christmas celebrations in the world takes place in Sweden, where the holiday lasts an entire month. It begins on December 13th with Saint Lucia's feast day, and ends on January 13th Saint Knut's Day, when children "plunder" the Christmas tree, eating all its candies and cookies before removing its ornaments and carrying it outdoors with a song. |
