If you’re single and want to know if you’re going to find love in the coming year, try doing what the unmarried Czechs do. On the day before Christmas grab a shoe, and standing with your back to your front door, toss the shoe over your shoulder. If the shoe lands with the heel facing the front door, you will remain single another year. However, if it lands with the toe pointing towards the door, you will be finding love and moving on. If the shoe lands side-on to the door, we are sorry there’s no explanation for what that means.

Maybe you shouldn’t be reading too much into your shoes.

We don’t recommend you throw your shoes at glass doors or at people who might be laughing at you whilst attempting this.

Shoes have also been important in establishing the Christmas stocking tradition. Dutch children used to place their wooden clogs by the fireplace on Christmas Eve, eagerly awaiting treats.

To get rid of wicked creatures known as Kallikantzaroi, who are said to play tricks at Christmas, old shoes or salt is burnt according to a Greek legend. The stench is believed to drive the Kallikantzaroi away.

To receive your 25 Christmas surprises - Connect to the Fusion Christmas daily blog via our RSS feed, or follow us everyday during Christmas on twitter.