10 Surprising Canadian Christmas facts
It’s almost Christmas time! And to celebrate, we’ve decided to gather up some fun facts about Canada in Christmas. Some of them might surprise you, some of them will definitely make you feel proud to be Canadian. Find out more in our top 10 Canadian Christmas facts:
1) Canada exports Christmas trees to over 25 countries
Every year, between 3 and 6 million Christmas trees are produced in Canada and 1.9.million of those come from Quebec. A lot of these end up adorning Canadian homes, but they also travel all over the world, spreading their Christmas cheer!
2) Rudolph was Canadian
Although the Rankin-Bass company that produced children’s classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” were American, Rudolph was voiced by Billie Mae Richards, from Toronto. In fact, nearly all the actors were Canadian and the sound was recorded in Toronto, giving this American film a Canadian twist.
3) People in Quebec party on till January 6th
While many people wind down the celebrations on Boxing Day, the celebrations in Quebec aren’t over until Ephiphany. Then they celebrate the French tradition of La Fête des Rois, or “the Feast of the Kings”. They bake a cake with a bean inside and whoever finds the bean is destined to become King or Queen!
4) Michael Buble sold more records in a month than most people sell in a lifetime.
In 2011, Michael Bublé made it to number 2 on the US charts for the year with his Christmas album, having sold 2,452,000 copies. Why is that unusual? Well, it was only released in November, meaning he sold more in the run up to Christmas than anyone else, bar Adele, sold in the entire year. Impressive stuff!
5) Albertans spend the most on Christmas presents
According to a 2005 survey, the residents of Alberta are the most generous when it comes to Christmas spending with an average of $967 per person! That’s a lot of gifts under the tree.
6) But none of those presents can go to the PM
Sadly, PM Stephen Harper isn’t going to be receiving any of those presents from the voters. The Federal Accountability Act of 2006 decrees that the PM can’t receive money or gift cards, and the security protocols rule out edible gifts or anything breakable. So, the best thing you can send to our leader this Christmas seems to be good wishes.
7) A Christmas Story was filmed in Canada
Another American movie with a Canadian connection. It may have been set in Indiana, but the school was Victoria School, in St Catharines, Ontario. Cherry Street in Toronto also features, as does the Chop Suey Palace in the same city. The 2008 documentary “Road Trip for Ralphie” documents two Canadian fans as they try and visit all the locations in the film and even finding all the old costumes and props!
8) French Canadians feast at midnight
Most people have their big Christmas meal at lunchtime, but for people of French origin the feast comes after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Traditionally, everyone would share a giant pie but nowadays it’s more likely to be turkey.
9) This year, WestJet gave its passengers a Christmas treat
In the most heart-warming story of the season, the airline set up a massive treat for their passengers and filmed it all. You can see travellers talking to Santa on a video screen inside the terminal before boarding their flight, and telling him what they want. They arrive in Calgary and as if by magic, the gifts they’ve requested are all on the baggage carousel!
10) You’ll never be short of a festive place name in Canada
Choose from Christmas Island, Snowflake or Reindeer Island – Canada might just be the most festively named place in the world!
Merry Christmas!
Until next time,
Peace, love and vitamin C!
