The Hy-Five, Christmas Edition

Merry Christmas, Hyattsville! Here are five things you might not know about the holiday:

1. What does Yuletide even mean? Thesaurus.com says the Yuletide is the Christmas season, traditionally Dec. 24 through Jan. 6.

2. The original Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, was from Turkey! (Maybe he should be the patron saint of Thanksgiving!) In Greece, he’s the patron saint of sailors; in France he was the patron of lawyers; and in Belgium the patron of children and travelers.

3. Did you know that Santa’s reindeer are all female? According to Snopes.com, only female reindeer keep their antlers past spring, but it is possible—though highly unlikely—for males to also retain theirs at Christmastime. Then again, they are magic reindeer that can fly, so….

4. Cranberry sauce is made from “marsh worts,” which is a medieval name for the pinkish red berries.

5. According to history.com, 95 percent of Americans say they celebrate Christmas; 93 percent exchange presents; 74 percent go to parties; 65 percent go to religious services; and 88 percent put up Christmas trees.