HOLIDAY FACTS OF THE MONTH:

The white berries in mistletoe, a popular Christmas decoration, contain toxic amines capable of causing stomach pains, irritation and diarrhea.

Danny Kaye was the third choice to play opposite Bing Crosby in the film White Christmas (1954). First choice Fred Astaire felt that, at age 55, he was too old for the part. Second choice Donald O'Connor had recently injured his back and couldn't dance for months.

In Portugal, the traditional Christmas meal (consoada) is eaten in the early hours of Christmas Day. Burning in the hearth is the Yule log (fogueira da consoada). The ashes and charred remains of the Yule log are saved; later in the year, they are burned with pine cones during Portugal's thunderstorm season. It is believed that no thunderbolt will strike where the Yule log smoke has traveled.

More than three billion Christmas cards are sent annually in the United States.

Seventy-five percent of Americans do not believe that public references to the "birth of Christ and Christmas" should be avoided in businesses, schools, and other public venues in order to keep from offending non-Christian Americans.

In northern France, children are given their gifts on December 6th, Saint Nicholas Day, instead of Christmas Day.

In Brazil, Christmas is celebrated with fireworks.

In 1947, Toys for Tots started making the holidays a little happier for children by organizing its first Christmas toy drive for needy youngsters.

The first Christmas card was created in England on December 9, 1842.

Santa Claus, the Christmas gift-bearer is called Papa Noel in Brazil. In Italy this role is assumed by La Befana, an old witch.

The average American household wraps 30 Christmas gifts each year.

Yuletide-named towns in the United States include Santa Claus, located in Arizona and Indiana, Noel in Missouri, and Christmas in both Arizona and Florida.

Christmas caroling began as an old English custom called Wassailing - toasting neighbors to a long and healthy life.

The Puritans forbade the singing of Christmas carols.

During the Christmas buying season, Visa cards alone are used an average of 5,340 times every minute in the U.S.

The custom of using Christmas wreaths can be traced to the belief that the crown of thorns that Christ was forced to wear when he was crucified was made of holly.

Someone maliciously shouted "Fire" at a copper miner's Christmas party in Calumet, Michigan in 1913. Panic ensued and seventy-two lives - mostly children's - were lost.

On Christmas Day, 1989, Eastern Europe was permitted to celebrate Christmas freely and openly for the first time in decades. Church masses were broadcast live for the first time in history.

In 1996, Christmas caroling was banned at two major malls in Pensacola, Florida. Apparently, shoppers and merchants complained the carolers were too loud and took up too much space.

Twenty-nine percent of Americans find the Christmas holidays more stressful than enjoyable. Those with the lowest incomes are most likely to find the season stressful, perhaps reflecting their inability to participate fully in the commercial, gift-giving aspects of the holiday.

Greeks do not use Christmas trees or give presents at Christmas. A priest may throw a little cross into the village water to drive the kallikantzari (gremlin-like spirits) away. To keep them from hiding in dark, dusty corners, he goes from house to house sprinkling holy water.

Americans buy 37.1 million real Christmas trees each year.

Only 9 minutes are spent by the average parent playing with his/her children on Christmas morning.

In the Netherlands, Christmas centers on the arrival of Saint Nicholas, who is believed to come on horseback bearing gifts. Before going to bed, children leave out their shoes, hoping to find them filled with sweets when they awaken.

Philip van Doren wrote a story and sent it out as a Christmas card to friends. One of those friends took the story to RKO Pictures. The result: It's a Wonderful Life.

An average of 10 hours are spent the last week of December arguing and bickering with family members about holiday-related activities.

More diamonds are purchased at Christmastime (31 percent) than during any other holiday or occasion during the year.

Seven out of ten British dogs get Christmas gifts from their doting owners.

Christmas trees are edible. Many parts of pines, spruces, and firs can be eaten. The needles are a good source of Vitamin C. Pine nuts, or pine cones, are also a good source of nutrition.

Forty percent of American adults said they expect to gain weight during the winter holiday season. Out of those, about 60 percent said following Christmas and New Year's Day, they would return to their original weight.

New York City's Empire State Building's world famous tower lights are turned off every night at midnight with the exception of New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and St. Patrick's Day, when they are illuminated until 3 a.m.

For facts from the previous month, click here.