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What are the 2 original names for Santa Claus?
Kris Kringle
Saint Nick
Name the 8 original reindeer, in order.
Dasher
Dancer
Prancer
Vixen
Comet
Cupid
Donner
Blitzen
In the song, "Frosty the Snowman", what made Frosty come to life?
An old silk hat
What Christmas decorations was originally made from strands of silver?
Tinsel
What Christmas beverage is known as "milk punch"?
Eggnog
What's the most successful Christmas movie ever?
Fun Fact: it grossed over $286 million at box office.
Who played the character George Bailey in the Christmas classic, "It's a Wonderful Life"?
Jimmy Stewart
This uprising holiday fad includes what "spy" that hides around the house, reporting back to Santa on who has been naughty and nice?
The Elf on the Shelf
What Christmas-themed ballet premiered in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 1892?
The Nutcracker
What beverage company has been using Santa Claus in its advertising since 1931?
What year was the first Christmas tree put up at the Rockefeller Center?
1931
Has Christmas ever been illegal to celebrate? Explain why or why not.
Yes. The Massachusetts-Bay Colony ordinance (1659) made it illegal to celebrate. Christmas didn't become a state holiday in Massachusetts until 1856.
What is the reasoning for stockings to be hung above the fireplace?
The popular legend tells of a poor man who was worried his 3 daughters did not have enough status to marry. St. Nicholas heard of his situation, and wanted to help. Instead of handing the poor man money, he put gold coins in the daughters' stockings that were drying by the fire and disappeared.
In the early 1800's, the first gingerbread houses were reportedly inspired by what famous fairytale?
Hansel and Gretel
In the "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" song, what three words describe the Grinch?
Stink
Stank
Stunk
How did red and green become the Christmas colors?
Holly and Coca-Cola are to thank for the rise of red and green as Christmas colors.
Fun Fact: Holly (bright red berries/dark green leaves) used by the Celts as a symbol for protection and good luck; Coca-Cola's advertisement of Santa Claus by Haddon Sundblom.
Was "Jingle Bells" originally written to be a Christmas song? Explain why or why not.
No. Historically, it was first performed at a Thanksgiving church service.
Fun Fact: the lyrics don't mention any specific holiday at all.
What is the traditional reasoning for kissing under a mistletoe?
It possesses healing properties, protecting loved ones from poisons to restoring fertility.
Fun Fact: Mistletoe was used to kill the god Baldur, and his mother Frigg used its berries to bring him back to life. She declared the plant as a symbol of love.
What figure from English folklore came to be associated with Santa Claus?
Father Christmas
How many ghosts show up in the Christmas classic, "A Christmas Carol"?
Four
Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, along with the ghost of his former business partner: Jacob Marley.
Name the animatronic cassette playing bear toy that every kid wanted for Christmas in the 80's.
Teddy Ruxpin
What well-known Christmas carol became the first song ever broadcast from space in 1965?
Jingle Bells
In which modern-day country was Saint Nicholas born in?
Turkey
Which country did eggnog originate from?
England
Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree?
Germany