Santa's Reindeer
"Three of Santa's reindeer have names that begin with the letter D . . . . "
Who are Dancer, Dasher and Donner?
This US state has a town called Santa Clause.
What is Indiana?
Originally named Santa Fe, the town decided to rename itself for Santa Clause in 1856 when the citizens were told Indiana already had a post office by the name Santa Fe in another part of the state.
"Candy canes originated in this country . . . . "
What is Germany.
Candy canes existed long before a German-Swedish immigrant decorated his tree with candy canes in 1847, making candy canes a popular Christmas candy. They were originally used to keep children quiet in houses of worship.
"This stringy, shiny, silvery Christmas tree decoration was created in Germany in the 17th Century . . . . "
What is tinsel?
The first tinsel was made of real silver pressed into strips. Trees were also covered with real, lit candles and the silver combined with the flickering firelight to create a twinkly effect that worked as a precursor to modern-day lights.
What is Maine?
Specifically, the town of Bethel, Maine in 2008. Their "snowman" was actually a snowwoman named Olympia, and she was 122 feet tall.
What is corn?
In the 1970 TV special "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" Santa's friends use Winter's last magical tool, Magic Feed Corn to make Santa's reindeer fly, allowing them to help him escape from prison.
"Santa's belly shakes like a . . . . "
What is a bowl full of jelly?
"This meat ranks as the most popular for Christmas dinner according to Google . . . . "
What is ham?
"Manufactured Christmas tree ornaments were first sold by this company in 1880 . . . "
What is Woolworths?
The man who voiced the Grinch in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" was . . . .
Who is Boris Karloff?
Boris Karloff was also known to have played Frankenstein in 1931 and was in the two sequels Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Son of Frankenstein (1939) as well as many other horror films.
The department store that created Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer . . . .
What is Montgomery Ward?
Rudohph was created in 1939 by Robert L. May as an advertising gimmick for Montgomery Ward. The store distributed millions of coloring books featuring Rudolph between 1939 and 1944.
"Santa Clause's visual image was very un-jolly and even spooky until this American product remade his image . . . ."
In 1931, the beverage company hired an illustrator named Haddon Sundblom for magazine ads. He created the jolly old elf we know today, and kids no longer get nightmares from his image.
This Christmas food is known to last for an entire year because it is preserved with booze and sugar.
What is fruitcake?
"This visionary invented Christmas lights . . . . "
Who is Thomas Edison?
Thomas Edison invented what we know as Christmas lights today. While Edison is given the credit for inventing the lights, the idea to decorate trees with a string of electric lights came from Edison's assistant, Edward Johnson in 1882. They were first mass-produced in 1890.
"The modern Santa Clause is mainly a mix of two historical figures . . . . "
Who are Saint Nicolas (Sinterklaas - Dutch) and Father Christmas (Odin - Swedish)?
St. Nicolas was a Greek Bishop who lived in the 4th Century and was known for his generosity and gift giving. Odin is believed to have started the tradition of Santa's long beard.
In the 1964 movie "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," Rudolph's elf friend was . . .
What is Hermey?
"This country's post office created Santa's own postal code . . . . "
What is Canada?
The Postal Code is HOH OHO. Canadian postal workers also write back to children who sends letters to Santa Clause.
"In the 1800's, the first gingerbread houses were reportedly inspired by this famous fairy tale . . . . "
What is Hanzel and Gretel?
"The average live Christmas tree contains this many bugs and insects . . . "
What is 30,000!
"The day after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday, and it is named for . . . . "
What is the first day of the year many business are in "black ink?"
The ORIGINAL names of Santa's eight reindeer are . . . .
What are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dunder and Biltzen (later known as Donner and Blitzen)?
The names Donder and Biltzen translate from German as "thunder" and "lightning."
"St. Nicholas is buried in this country . . . . "
What is Italy?
In 1087, the Italian city of Bari mounted an expedition to locate the tomb of the saint. When he was found, he was taken back to Southern Italy where his remains are kept to this day.
"The average Christmas meal contains this many calories . . . . "
What is 7,000!
Between multiple helpings of Christmas Day foods, mixed nuts, desserts, cheese and alcohol, the average person consumes more than 7,000 on Christmas Day alone!
"The Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center in NYC is illuminated with this many lights . . . . "
What is 30,000!
The first tree appeared in Rockefeller Center in 1933. Today, the lights on the Rockefeller Center tree is powered 100% by solar energy. And since 2004, the tree has been topped with a 550-pound Swarovski Crystal star.
"This Roman holiday held from December 17th to the 23rd is considered to have had a large impact on how Christmas is celebrated today . . . . "
What is Saturnalia?