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Canadian Christmas Fun Facts

Christmas is the time of year when many Canadians get together to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends.

Like their American neighbors, Christmas in Canada is celebrated with a mish-mash of different tradtions brought about by different geographical regions and cultures.

For example, Canada was first introduced to the Christmas tree in 1781 in Sorel, Quebec, by a German immigrant, Baron Friederick von Riedesel.

And, while roast beef and goose are still on the menu in many households, today Canadians more often follow the American tradition of serving roast turkey on Christmas Day.

Of course, Christmas is also the time of year when Canada's stores are packed with shoppers looking for holliday eats, sporting goods, electronic games, toys, and other gifts that remain popular year after year

Shop ‘til you drop

$549 million — The value of consumer electronics, such as televisions and audio and video equipment purchased at large retailers in Canada in December, with a 127% spike compared to average monthly sales.

$435 million — The value of toys, games and hobby supplies, including video games, purchased at large retailers in Canada in December, up a whopping 184% from average monthly sales for this category.

Ontario has 'em beat for number of Christmas tree farms.

Canadian Christmas - It's time to party

6.7 million litres — The volume of commercial sales of eggnog in Canada in December. Virtually all eggnog sales are in November and December.

$449 million — The amount of monthly sales of candy, Christmas chocolate and snack foods sales at large retailers in December, the month with the highest sales.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree

2,381 — The number of farms that grow Christmas trees in Canada. The most Christmas tree farms are found in Ontario, with 647 farms.

55 acres — The average area of land per farm allocated to growing Christmas trees in Quebec. Christmas tree farms in Quebec are, on average, the largest in Canada, followed by Nova Scotia with an average size of 52 acres per farm.

Festively named places in Canada:

For the most festively named place in Canada, why not plan a trip to Christmas Island, Nova Scotia? Then again, there is Gift Lake in Alberta, and Reindeer Station in the Northwest Territories, At Christmas, also give a shout out to Chimney Lake, British Columbia, Sled Lake in Saskatchewan, and the decoratively named Holly, Ontario.

More about Christmas in Canada around the Web:

Christmas in Canada - WhyChristmas.com

13 things you didn't know about Christmas in Canada - Reader's Digest