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Random Christmas Fact Widget

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Random Christmas Fact Widget

by Monica Haught

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Description

The Random Christmas Fact Widget displays one of 40 Christmas facts whenever a page loads.

Add the widget to any registered widget area, optionally give it a title, and the plugin will display a randomly selected fact. The output has no custom CSS, so it naturally inherits the typography and styling of your active theme.

Features:

  • Displays one random fact from a collection of 40 Christmas facts.
  • Works in any registered WordPress widget area.
  • Includes an optional widget title.
  • Supports multiple widget instances on the same page.
  • Adds no custom CSS.
  • Uses lightweight modern JavaScript.
  • Preserves the original widget ID so existing placements and settings continue to work after updating.

For more Christmas resources, visit ChristmasWebmaster.com.

  1. Upload the plugin files to the /wp-content/plugins/random-christmas-fact-widget/ directory, or install the plugin through the WordPress Plugins screen.
  2. Activate the plugin through the Plugins screen in WordPress.
  3. Go to Appearance > Widgets.
  4. Add the Random Christmas Fact widget to the desired widget area.
  5. Optionally enter a widget title and save.
Can I customize the widget title?

Yes. Each widget instance includes an optional title field.

Does the plugin add any styling?

No. The fact inherits the typography and styling of your active theme.

Can I add the widget more than once?

Yes. Multiple instances can appear on the same page, and each instance selects its own random fact.

Will my existing widget placement be preserved when I update?

Yes. Version 2.0.0 keeps the original cw_randomtext widget ID so WordPress should retain existing widget placements and saved titles.

Love this fun little Christmas Plugin

By christinahills on December 5, 2023

What a fun plugin!

Displays a nice little Christmas fact on my sidebar and gets us in the holiday spirit!

Thanks for creating it and for keeping it updated

-Christina Hills

2.0.0 – 2026-07-22

  • Fixed a fatal error on PHP 8 by removing the obsolete create_function() callback.
  • Replaced the deprecated PHP 4-style widget constructor with __construct().
  • Replaced the obsolete $this->WP_Widget() call with parent::__construct().
  • Removed extract() from widget output handling.
  • Added proper sanitization for saved widget titles.
  • Added proper escaping for admin and frontend output.
  • Replaced document.write() with safe DOM-based JavaScript.
  • Added support for multiple widget instances on the same page.
  • Loads the JavaScript only when the widget is displayed.
  • Added automatic script cache busting.
  • Preserved the original widget ID for backward compatibility.
  • Updated plugin metadata, installation instructions, FAQ, and documentation.

1.3 – 2025-06-28

  • Maintenance release.

1.2 – 2022-09-08

  • Compatibility update.

1.1 – 2018-10-27

  • Minor improvements.

1.0 – 2015-02-23

  • Initial release.
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