Top 10 Interesting Things You Didn't Know About Christmas

I don't think there is probably other annual event that influences our lives as much as the Christmas does. No doubt, Christmas is the most celebrated annual festival. But, tell me how much do you know about it really? You think you know some of the most bizarre sides of Christmas? This list is prepared to describe briefly about top 10 most interesting Christmas facts quite possibly you didn't know about. If not all, we bet you that you will find at least a couple of things you definitely didn't know about the Eve of Christmas. Now, here goes the list of some of the weirdest facts HOTLIST10 brought to you, the most interesting Christmas facts to ponder.

10. About Incest, Baby Jesus, and Embalmed Corpses

According to Bible, the Magi brought myrrh as a gift to the infant Jesus. The magi were brought along with gold and frankincense. But only few people know that fact according to Ovid's Metamorphoses that the reason behind the origin of myrrh trees is because of lust Myrrha had for Cinyras, the father or her own. Myrrha repeatedly had sexual intercourse with her father Cinyras with the involvement of her nursemaid. Later on, as Cinyras realized that he had been bonking his own daughter and he even tried to kill her but Myrrha was able to escape. And it is believed that the God turned her into a myrrh tree to release her from the shame. And this way, myrrh tree became the first unwanted Christmas present ever.

9. Mistletoe

Mistletoe literally means the 'dung twig' and it is so named because it tends to spring out of bird droppings on trees once the seeds have passed through the digestive track of birds. Besides, Mistletoe can be very parasitic that often require a host tree to sustain itself. Therefore, when you kiss someone beneath the mistletoe, make sure if you are standing just beneath a parasitic poop twig. In fact, the kissing power of mistletoe is believed to come from the Greek Mythology.

8. Three Dead Kids

You must be familiar with "Rub-a-hub-dub, Three Dead Kids in a Tub!" yeah! According to the popular mythology, Saint Nicholas is regarded as the patron saint of kids. He brought back life to those three children after they were murdered and pickled in saltwater. As per the popular myth, Saint Nicholas happened along the house of a butcher where three children were killed. When he came to know about those kids, he miraculously reanimated them.

7. About the Date

Actually, the Holy Bible doesn't actually mention a specific date for the birth of Jesus. However, most historians believe that he was probably born in the Spring. But if we trace back to 4^th century, Pope Julius I of Catholic Church chose 25^th of December as the official birthday of Jesus. December 25^th is then decided as the date for Feast of the Nativity. There were controversies about this date and Christmas was banned in many countries for the same reason. 

6. Christmas Cat

Do you know about Christmas Cat? Well, according to the old Icelandic tradition, it is believed that everyone must get one new piece of clothing for the Christmas eve. Those who did not get the new one were in danger of being eaten by the Christmas Cat. According to the mythology, Christmas cat is a large vicious black feline that belongs to the trolls. But it's also been rumored that Wal-Mart is considering suggesting that Christmas Cat has kitties who emigrated around the world. And as per the rumor, it's just an attempt to increase the clothing sales for the next Christmas.

5. Breakup Season

Studies from Facebook show that, about two weeks prior to Christmas is found to be the most popular time of the year for the couples who break up. However, Christmas itself is one of the least likely days for a breakup. Make sure if you are in a problematic relationship and are looking for the right time to break up, maybe the study from Facebook could help you out. However, nobody is completely sure why but we guess, it's a lot easier to open gifts than to purchase them. Having said this, we are definitely not encouraging anyone to breakup during holiday season.

4. Traditional Christmas Colors do not include WHITE

Many people are totally unaware of the fact that, three traditional colors of Christmas are: Red, Green, and Gold. But many people believe that White is the Christmas color. The reason behind this misconception can be the whole snow things. But the reality is, White is not even one among three traditional colors of Christmas.

Notably, all three Christmas colors have special meaning. Red represents the blood of Jesus as well as the apples on the tree that Eve ate in Eden. Green strongly symbolizes the Christmas tree and it represents the life and rebirth. And the Gold represents the bright and spiritual light that Jesus brings upon his birth and resurrection.

3. Nativity

As ubiquitous as it is today, there was no such thing as a nativity scene before 1224. When St. Francis of Assisi returned from Israel, he was inspired to recreate the birth of Jesus with live animals and actors. The manger was also used as an altar for Christmas Mass when he was presenting his first display. Since then, the nativity caught on like wildfire. Now, it can be any person or Santa Claus so long as they are in the act of stooling.

2. Statue of Liberty

Maybe very few people are aware of the fact that the Statue of Liberty is the largest Christmas presents ever presented. In 1886, France presented the Statue of Liberty as the Christmas Gift to United States. Let me remind you that the Statue of Liberty weighs 225 tons with the height of 46.5 meters.   

1. Red Nose of Rudolph

Yes, we all do know Rudolph as the red-nosed Reindeer and is the most famous among all the helpers of Santa Claus. But only few would know the reason behind why Rudolph has red nose? Some have tried to give the scientific answer to this as well. According to The British Medical Journal, as they took the samples of mucus from the noses of five humans to two reindeer living in the cold places like Rudolph, the reason why the Rudolph-nose was red is due to the extremely low temperature and extreme fatigue during Christmas season. Interestingly, other eight reindeers had the black noses. Maybe they just have better immunity systems than Rudolph or chances are they were much lazier than Rudolph.

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Top 10 Christmas Light Decorations

Christmas is such a great festival. Every year when holiday season starts, people start decorating their houses and workplaces in varieties of dazzling displays. We can witness plenty of classy and some even plain tacky displays out there during Christmastime. But if you dig down into the history of Christmas Light Displays, you can find some really incredible decorations that can inspire anyone to visit them every year. As per the changing time, the trend of Christmas Light Decorations has changed a lot too. There are (almost) no more of those static twinkling lights. Now, Christmas Light Decoration things have gone high tech. Modern day Christmas decorations include the musical extravaganzas in sync with amazing lighting effects that doubtlessly produce awesome displays ever. There have been such a crazy Christmas animation enthusiasts who have installed the craziest Christmas Lights in their houses. I am going to pin down ten of the best ever Christmas Light Decorations from around the world. The list includes the favorite Christmas displays of mine. We can be same on most of them but if I happened to missed out yours favorites, please let me know via comments below. There can be many other incredible Christmas displays that deserve to be on the top of this list. 

10. Hyatt Extreme Christmas Display (Florida, USA)

Mark and Kathy Hyatt of Florida have been amazingly decorating their home ever since they are tied in the nuptial knots. Since 1990, the couple has been adorning their house with more than 150000 lights with hundreds of lighted Christmas figurines. Hyatt Extreme Christmas displays are getting bigger and bigger every year. Hyatt Extreme Christmas is a residential Christmas holiday display and is counted as one of the best Christmas Light Decorations in the world.

9. Lights by Bernhard and Michaela Nemerich Family (Kelkheim, Germany)

Bernhard and Michaela Nemerich Family of Kelkheim, Germany have also been decorating their house with thousands of lights. They are continuing this decoration ever since 2002. Bernard is also popular among the locals of Kelkheim as Mr. Christmas. Nemerich Family not only installs the lights but thousands of Mechanical Santa Clauses that are capable to move. Their Christmas displays too are known amongst the best Christmas displays of the world. 

8. Slayer Christmas Display

Slayer Christmas Displays are among the best Christmas displays in the world. They install thousands of extravagant lights including a snowman lip syncing the words with Slayer music lights. Since last couple of years, it has been a trend to perform the best synchronization with Slayer songs. Slayer Christmas Display makes a unique and inspiring heavy metal Christmas for all metal lovers! It's one of the most popular modern-day Christmas displays around the globe. 

7. Vic Moszczynski Christmas Lights (Berkshire, UK)

Vic Moszczynski Christmas Lights of Berkshire are known to be one of the most extravagant lights in United Kingdom. His lights even caused controversy during 2005 and Vic was even banned by Wokingham District Council in 2006. He was restricted to put up Christmas lights for consecutive three years. After the ban expired in 2009, Vic again decorated his house but he couldn't reach the height of 2005 decoration. In 2005, his installation was able to attract thousands of visitors and able to rise the fund of £55000 for the charity of bereaved children. 

6. Christmas Lights by Dalisay Family (Philippines)

Dalisay Family of Manila, Philippines is also known to be among the best Christmas installers in the world. They have wrapped their home in Christmas lights since 1996. They have been continuing this decoration every year. Dalisay Family Christmas Lights are known to be one of exemplary Christmas Displays in the world. 

5. Christmas Lights by Garabedian Family (New York, USA)

Every year, the Garabedian Family of Bronx, New York allures thousands of people every year with amazingly adorned striking Christmas Lights. They install massive Christmas display featuring more than 170 mannequins, fifty cherubs, and 10 hooved animals. They have even installed eight celebrities, four of popular fairytale characters and baby Jesus as well. The Garabedian family has been decorating their house since more than thirty years. 

4. Orchard Road Lights (Singapore)

Every year during Christmastime, The Orchard Road and Marina Bay in Singapore are amazingly lit up with striking lights. Orchard Road Lights are among the best and most popular Christmas Lights Decorations in Asia. Obviously, the famous shopping district celebrates Christmas with beautifully adorned street light displays. 

3. The Miracle on 34th Street (Maryland, Baltimore)

There's a street in Baltimore, Maryland, with every resident on the 700 block putting up exemplary Christmas Lights. They have been decorating their homes during Christmastime since 1989. People popularly know this decoration as The Miracle of 34th Street. There is a block in Hampden that puts on thousands of alluring Christmas light display which is rumored to be visible from even Space. People consider The Miracle on 34th Street as one of the most gorgeous Christmas Light Decorations in the world. 

2. Christmas Lights by Alex Goodhind (UK)

An ordinary electrician from Melksham, UK has taken months of work to string up his extravagant lights. He was Alex Goodhind. His striking Christmas displays are able to bedazzle anyone who comes to visit there once. Every year in the holiday season, Alex installs about 115000 bulbs on his home and adorns his home with unbelievable shine. He raises money from his displays for a local hospice care. Regardless of the heavy installation cost of Christmas lights, Alex doesn't seem to give it a break! His decoration is considered one the craziest Christmas Light Decorations in the world. 

1. Osborne Family the Spectacle of Dancing Lights (Florida, USA)

Talking about my favorite Christmas Décor, Osborne Family the Spectacle of Dancing Lights is the best of all. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is installed at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida, USA. It's probably the biggest and most striking Christmas Lights ever installed in this planet. Also, it's probably visible from the Space as well. Their lights became so intolerable to all neighbors that they even filed a writ against them and The State Supreme Court ordered Osborne Family to shut it down. Later on, when Disney got to know about their amazing displays, Disney purchased it from Osborne.

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Top 10 Greatest Christmas Songs of All Time

Christmas is the only holiday with such a large range of music. And the music has always been the integral part of Christmas festivities. Christmas offers the great joy not only for Christians but also for the followers of other religions as well. People around the world impatiently wait for this holiday season that comes alive in the month of December every year. Music is the heart of Christmastime and people enjoy this season with listening to or singing the several Christmas carols. There are several Christmas songs that have become popular are just simply great that you would love to listen to those songs anywhere and anytime. However it's very difficult to sort top 10 best Christmas songs, I have made this endeavor to enlist ten of the all-time favorites. You will definitely find ten of the most festive songs for holiday season. These are the songs that never get tired of listening to them. Let me know if I missed out your favorites okay!

10. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms

Released in 1957, Jingle Bell Rock the most popular artist version performed by Bobby Helms. This song is one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. Jingle Bell Rock is composed in the mainstream of music that reinvents the Christmas soundtrack of twenty-first century. Jingle Bell Rock was written by Joseph Carleton Bean and James Ross Booth and is the perfect song to listen to when you ever feel down.

9. Christmas Wrapping (The Waitresses)

Christmas Wrapping is the most popular song by the girl band called The Waitresses (The Spice Girls). This song is just rocking and its bouncy new wave gem reminds us to forget every inconvenience and simply chill the festivity. Christmas Wrapping carries amazingly festive spirit and is of course one of the best songs for your all time holiday playlist.

8. Do They Know It's Christmas (Band Aid)

Do They Know It's Christmas? is one of the best songs performed by Band Aid. This song is released in 1984. However it's been criticized for many things, people still want this song to make their Christmas playlist complete. Its perfect lyrics and such an exceptional melody are the reasons why this song is still regarded one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time.

7. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every day (Wizzard)

'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day' is one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. It is one of those songs that never get old. This song was released in 1973. Till the date, there is hardly any corporate Christmas party that does not have this song on their favorite playlist. People also know Wizzard as Roy Wood.

6. Wonderful Christmastime (Paul McCartney)

Paul McCartney released Wonderful Christmastime is 1979 and it's still one of the most popular Christmas songs all over the world. It still remains to get substantial publicity during the holiday seasons every year. McCartney entirely recorded this song as the part of his solo projected named McCartney II. Wonderful Christmastime is undoubtedly the great Christmas song of all time.

5. Christmas Baby Please Come Home (Darleen Love)

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) is one of the most popular Christmas holiday songs. The song was originally sung by Darlene Love in 1963. This song has such a great music that it will almost make you forget it's a pretty sad song. Christmas Baby Please Come Home is one of the top listed songs for holiday seasons.  

4. Last Christmas (Wham!)

Last Christmas is still one of the top Christmas songs but it was recorded before almost 30 years ago. It's because of an amazingly touching voice of George Michael and the spirit of the song itself. Last Christmas was first released in 1984 under the name of popular band of that time Wham! Last Christmas is one of such great songs that never get old.

3. All I Want For Christmas Is You (Mariah Carey)

All I Want For Christmas Is You is the best Christmas song recorded ever by Mariah Carey. This song is considered one of the greatest songs ever for celebrating the Christmastime festivity. Carey launched this song in 1994 but the song become such a big hit that its uplifting vibes make this song one of the most played songs in during Christmas seasons. This is the song for life; it is the all-time classic that nobody can get tired of listening to.

2. Fairytale of New York (The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl)

Many people say that Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl is the best song ever written for the Christmas celebration. This song has such a great lyrics that it narrates the hopes and despairs, uplifts and heartbreaks of life within just four minutes. The Fairytale of New York is the number one choice in many Christmas playlist.

1. Little Saint Nick (The Beach Boys)

Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, Little Saint Nick is one of the most festive songs for Christmas playlist. Little Saint Nick was originally performed by their band named The Beach Boys. This song remains at top 10 Christmas songs playlist worldwide. Little Saint Nick was even credited as an unofficial million seller song. The music and the lyrics both are great and make you forget the winter in the Christmas festivity. The song is just great and so dynamic.

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Top 10 Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was a man who accomplished extraordinary things, one of the greatest statesmen the world ever has ever seen, heavily loved and admired the world over, a man who was showered with awards and accolades. Yet in person, he was never really more than an ordinary man, just a shy fanboy meeting his favorite band. In this list, we have tried to pin down some of the least-known facts about Mandela buried in his biographies. Let's talk about ten of the surprising facts probably many of you didn't know about Nelson Mandela.

10. He Was A Communist

Well, very few people may know that Nelson was a communist. Let me clarify this. Firstly, The South African Communist Party of 50s and 60s stood in direct opposition to the system that was making life terrible for millions of black citizens. And there's a genuine reason why someone who was both black and poor might attracted to it. But, Mandela indeed was more interested in learning resistance techniques than turning South Africa into a Marxist ideal. But if we dig into evidences, Nelson once was an active member of The South African Communist Party. But to gain the support from America, he later hid this fact and he was even successful in that.  

9. He Hated His Public Image

Actually, Mandela really didn't like his Public Image and he just hated to practice false modesty in Politics too. Even when he was first elected as the President of South Africa, he quoted that he was not Messiah. In his own words, he was "just an ordinary man who had become leader because of extraordinary circumstances." Westerners picture him as a saint like figure though. The real hero of anti-apartheid struggle was not actually the saint as we want him to be. He was a human with mistakes, who wasn't angelic deity the world wanted him to be. But the reality is, yes he was a regular Joe but again, stood up for what he believed in and he changed the world.

8. Nelson Was On The US Terror Watch List Until 2008

Surprisingly though, Nelson Mandela wasn't removed from the US Terror Watch List until 2008, when he was 89. Because of their militant fight against apartheid, Mandela and other members of African National Congress were placed on that list. Former US president George W Bush had signed a bill removing Nelson Mandela and other South African Leaders from the US Terror Watch List. Before he was off this list, members of ANC were permitted travel to the United Nations headquarters in New York but were restricted to travel to the Washington DC or other parts of USA. He was removed off the list in the steps of US legislation towards removing the shame of dishonoring this great leader, a Nobel Prize Winner.

7. He Was A Womanizer

It's so hard to imagine that warm old man like our parents was ever a sexual being, a womanizer. But according to his biographers, Nelson was more than just a sexual being – he was the Casanova of 1940s South Africa. He was such an energetic, dashing and charismatic guy. It's been said that he managed to carry on dozens of affairs at any one time. However, Mandela always wanted the world to be aware of his failings.  

6. He Was A Poor Student

Very few people are aware of the fact that Mandela was a poor student. He was not a very good student and he left in 1948 without graduating. Nelson was even unable to complete a law degree at University of London. He was expelled from the University College of Fort Hare as he participated in a student protest. Notwithstanding, he later gained more than fifty honorary degrees from reputed international universities.  

5. A Master of Disguise

Another fact only few people know about Nelson Mandela is he was a master of disguise. He disguised himself as a chef, a garden boy, and a chauffeur in order to evade from the police. As he wrote in his autobiography The Long Walk to Freedom, he would wear the blue overalls of the fieldworker and often wore around. He had a car and he'd wear a cap of chauffeur with his overalls. He was then a creature of the night. He would keep to hid at the daytime and would emerge for his works during the nights.

4. His Inspiration Was a Poem

This may wonder anyone that what actually was the inspiration for such a great leader? But you will be astounded to know that his inspiration was nothing other than a poem. While locked up at Robben Island for decades, he would read 'Invictus' by Ernest Henley to his fellow prisoners. The favorite lines of Mandela from the poem "I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul" would ever resonate in his mind. It was the most inspiring thing for Mandela. The poem is actually about never giving up, come what may.

3. He Was Friends With Gaddafi

Muammar Gaddafi, obviously one of the most unpleasant tyrants in the world ever had. Gaddafi had a friend in the international community that everyone welcomes. And he was no other than Nelson Mandela. To relate the point, let's dig out some context. While African National Congress was outlawed, Muammar Gaddafi was among the few people belligerent enough to support Mandela with supplying arms and money they needed. Mandela even visited Gaddafi in 1994 while it was technically illegal and supported his regime right until the end. It looks like lunacy to us, but Mandela once claimed that apartheid couldn't have terminated without the support of Libya.  

2. He Was A Committed 'Spice Girls' Fan

To your wonder, Nelson was fantastically a committed fan of 'Spice Girls,' say several sources. The Spice Girls were a barnstorming pop band of 1990s that stood up for feminism by being loud and obnoxious. In 1997, The Spice Girls were successful enough to meet Nelson. By that time, Nelson referred them his heroes. He also quoted that meeting The Spice Girls was one of the most emotional moments of his life as well. BBC reported that, Mandela was more overwhelmed meeting The Spice Girls than meeting Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and the UN Secretary General combined.

1. Founded ANC But Always Opposed Violence Towards Civilians

Most of us are well-known that the world once saw Nelson Mandela as a terrorist. Actually there would not have been a military wing of ANC without Mandela. Being a military wing, ANC later targeted civilians with few deadlier bomb blasts.

But even being a man behind ANC, Mandela constantly opposed the Military wing of ANC (MK) ever targeting any human beings let alone the non-military targets. ANC only stepped up to target military personnel after Mandela was jailed. Mandela was uninvolved and he actively disapproved every cruel campaigns of MK. While Nelson may have been responsible for founding ANC, he never was the part of any violent actions of that wing.

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