Fun Facts about Xmas

Yes, we celebrate Christmas here at The Literary Brothel, but a big shout out goes to Chanukah AND Hanukkah (as well as Hanukah) for being the hardest holiday to spell. -KV

Some FUN Facts about Christmas
Brought to you by the boys and girls at The Literary Brothel

-Christmas is primarily a 19th century creation coinciding with the Second Great Awakening, the rise of the middle class and a desire for more family-friendly holidays.

-Christmas was originally a pagan holiday banned by the Puritans because of its reputation for violence and public drunkenness.

-The Santa Claus figure we know today was created by Thomas Nast and popularized by the Coca-Cola company (who around that time enhanced their beverage with a substance we know today as cocaine).

-Jesus Christ was not born on December 25th (or even in the year 0, for that matter).

-Christmas survived mainly due to the advent of mass media and rise in consumerism of the 20th century.

-Due to the facts above, we at The Brothel are unsure why people so ardently defend Christmas as a "traditional" holiday.

-Facts about Christmas, no matter how "fun," aren't nearly as fun as getting presents and relaxing with your family.

Yes, even The Literary Brothel gets a little sentimental at Christmastime. Feel the love.

-TLB

(Sources: The Battle for Christmas by Stephen Nissembaum and Christmas in America by Penne L. Restad. Yes, we read those books...mostly.)