Marketing Research Brings Fun Facts for the Holidays
Posted by Danica Kwon on Fri, Dec 23, 2011 @ 08:59 AM
Since we're approaching the last week of December and our offices will be closed next week, today's blog won't be a traditional marketing research blog. Here are some fun facts for the holidays brought to you by our December Newsletter. See you all next year in 2012!
Did you know that Washington, D.C., features two famous Christmas trees: the Capitol Christmas Tree and the National Christmas Tree? The Speaker of the House lights the Capitol Christmas Tree (which, obviously, stands outside the Capitol Building). The President and First Lady traditionally light the National Christmas Tree outside the White House. There are also 56 smaller Christmas trees surrounding the National Christmas Tree representing the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the 5 U.S. territories. In 1856, President Franklin Pierce decorated the first White House Christmas tree.
Did you know Christmas was banned in Boston from 1659 to 1681? The Puritans of New England shared radical Protestant disapproval of Christmas. The Christmas ban was revoked in 1681 by English governor Sir Edmund Andros, however it wasn't until the mid-1800s that celebrating Christmas became fashionable again in the Boston region.
Did you know that each side of a dreidel is imprinted with a Hebrew letter? These letters are an acronym for the Hebrew words Nes Gadol Haya Sham, translated “a great miracle happened there."
Did you know that “It’s a Wonderful Life” was considered a flop for its high production costs and low box office numbers? It is now on the list of the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Films Ever Made and also No. 1 on AFI's list of Most Inspiration American Movies. Another interesting fact about this movie is that a clerical error prevented its copyright from being renewed properly in 1974, allowing the film to enter the public domain, which may be why this move appears on television more than any other holiday movie.
Did you know that the North Pole has a zip code? Canada's Postal System assigned the zip code H0H 0H0 (referring to Santa's traditional exclamation "Ho, ho, ho!") to the North Pole.
Did you know that poinsettias are the most popular Christmas plant? They are also the number one flowering potted plant in the United States. Originally grown in Mexico, where it is also known as the 'Flower of the Holy Night', Joel Poinsett first brought it to America in 1829. And contrary to common belief, they are non-toxic. (Unlike holly berries, which are poisonous!).
Did you know that Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states? Christmas trees are even grown in Alaska and Hawaii, although California, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina are the top Christmas tree producing states. Oregon tops the list as the leading producer of Christmas trees. The best selling Christmas trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and white pine.
Did you know that Christmas trees are edible? Many parts of pines, spruces, and firs can be eaten. The needles are a good source of vitamin C and pine nuts, or pine cones, are also a good source of nutrition. (Thanks, but I’ll stick with the turkey and pumpkin pie!).
Did you know Candy Canes weren’t always red and white? Candy canes began as straight white sticks of sugar candy used to decorate the Christmas trees. A choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral decided have the ends bent to depict a shepherd's crook and he would pass them out to the children to keep them quiet during the services. It wasn't until about the 20th Century that candy canes acquired their red stripes.
Did you know Christmas wasn’t always a legal holiday? In 1836, Alabama was the first state in the U.S. to declare Christmas a legal holiday. Christmas was declared a national holiday in 1870. In 1907, Oklahoma became the last U.S. state to declare Christmas a legal holiday.
Did you know Santa’s suit was branded? The Santa Claus suit was developed in the 1930s, when The Coca-Cola Company hired American artist Haddon Sundblom to redesign Santa Claus. Sundblom chose the official colors of Coca-Cola, red and white, for Santa’s attire. And of course, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created as a holiday promotion by Montgomery Ward in the late 1930s.
And what about the Twelve Days of Christmas? For the past 27 years, PNC Financial Services Group calculates the cost of the 364 gifts you would receive if someone gave you the gifts from the song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” This year? It’s $24,263, $824 more than last year.
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