Hard question to ask your teacher in the chapter merry Christmas
Answers
History of Christmas
1. What Christian group banned Christmas in Boston from 1659 to 1681?
The Puritans
2. Before becoming tied up with Christmas what was Yule?
A pagan midwinter festival
As a fun side note, jolly most likely has its origins in Yule.
3. The French word “Noel” is often used around Christmas, but what was its original meaning in Latin?
Birth
4. What Roman holiday held from December 17th to the 23rd had a large influence on how Christmas was celebrated?
Saturnalia
5. Among Christians who lived in the East, when was Christmas originally celebrated?
January 6th
6. In what century was the first written use of Xmas?
The 16th century
Merry Chi Rho Mass!
Santa Claus trivia
7. The modern Santa Claus is mainly a mix of what two figures?
Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas in dutch) and Father Christmas, also if you said Odin I’d accept that too
.
8. What political cartoonist is largely responsible for defining what the modern Santa Claus looks like?
Thomas Nast
Thomas Nast Santa Claus - Christmas Trivia
1863 Thomas Nast Santa Claus - Christmas Trivia
9. What was the poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas” originally titled?
A Visit from St. Nicholas
10. In what decade did Coca-Cola start using Santa Claus in advertisements?
1920’s
11. What entrepreneur was the first person to dress up as Santa in his department store and started the tradition of department store / mall Santas?
James Edgar
12. Who did the German Nazi Regime replace Santa Claus / St. Nick with?
Odin
13. In what decade did NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command, formerly CONAD) start tracking Santa on Christmas Eve?
The 1950’s (specifically 1955)
14. In the song Twelve Days of Christmas, what is given on the 7th day?
Swans a-swimming
15. In what country did Silent Night originate?
Austria
WWI Christmas Truce - Christmas Trivia
16. What was the original title for The Little Drummer Boy?
Carol of the Drum
17. How were the writer of the story Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the writer of the song Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer related?
They were brothers-in-law
18. What popular holiday song was written during the Cuban missile crisis and was a plea for peace?
Do You Hear What I Hear?
19. What jaunty Christmas carol written in 1739 was supposed to be accompanied by slow and somber music?
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
20. What was the original title for the popular Christmas song Silver Bells, written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans?
Tinkle Bells
Christmas decorations trivia
21. In what country did the custom of putting up a Christmas tree originate?
Germany
22. What animal parts were the first artificial Christmas trees made from?
Goose feathers painted green
23. What was the first year that the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was put up?
1933
24. What plant based Christmas tradition did servants in Victorian England popularize?
under the mistletoe
Hanging Mistletoe - Christmas Trivia
25. Who created the first electric light Christmas display?
Thomas Edison
26. What northeastern US state holds the Guinness record for largest snowman?
Maine
27. How tall, plus or minus 25 feet, was the tallest cut Christmas tree?
221 feet
28. What country is the Poinsettia, with its red and green foliage, native to?
Mexico
29. What old Christmas tradition signals to people passing by that the residents of a house are Christian?
Putting candles in the window
30. What day is a close second and sometimes surpasses Black Friday for busiest brick and mortar shopping day of the year?
The last Saturday before Christmas (a.k.a Super Saturday)
31. What large former retail outlet commissioned and published Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
Montgomery Ward
32. The man who voiced the Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! was most famous for playing what popular Hollywood monster?
Frankenstein’s Monster
33. How many wise men / Magi / kings does the bible say visited the baby Jesus?
It doesn’t mention a number.
Wise men - Christmas Trivia
Christmas trivia around the world
34. What is the most popular meal for Christmas in Japan?
KFC fried chicken
35. In what European country are children given gifts by St. Basil on January 1st instead of Santa on December 25th?
Greece
36. What Southeast Asian country boasts the longest holiday season starting with decorations and carols as early as September and celebrations that last sometimes until late January?
The Philippines
37. In what northern European country might you receive gifts from a different Yule Lad each night if you leave your shoes on the window sill the each of the 13 days before Christmas?
Iceland
38. In what European country might you find money under the table cloth when you sit down to eat the traditional Christmas Eve supper Wigilia?
Poland
39. In what Central American country might you find yourself kicking off the holiday season by burning the devil on December 7th while sweeping your house?
Guatemala
40. What cartoon character is a Christmas Eve staple in Sweden and is watched by millions of Swedes every year?
Donald Duck