National Geographic Traveller (UK)
FESTIVE FACTS
1847
The year the Christmas cracker was patented. It was created by London-based confectioner and baker Tom Smith
6
The date in January when the ‘good witch’ Befana distributes gifts from her broomstick in Italy
2003
The year Coptic Christmas Day (7 January) was made a public holiday in Egypt. Christians account for around 10% of the country’s population