<p>Time for fun with Twenty Questions about this upcoming holiday:</p>
<li><p>Who named the eight reindeer? (hint: in a poem called “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas”)</p></li>
<li><p>Who created the ninth reindeer (“the most famous reindeer of all”)? (hint: not Johnny Marks, who wrote the song)</p></li>
<li><p>For which department store did the person who created the ninth reindeer work? (hint: not Macy’s)</p></li>
<li><p>What was unique about the way the Pilgrims celebrated Christmas? (hint: trick question)</p></li>
<li><p>From what country was the name of Santa Clause derived? Who did Santa Clause represent? (hint: Sinter Klaus)</p></li>
<li><p>What was the origin of the name “Kris Kringle?” </p></li>
<li><p>(easy one) Who created the first pictorial image of the Santa we know today? (hint: political cartoonist)</p></li>
<li><p>For over 20 years in the late 1600’s, in what US city (also the entire state) was Christmas outlawed (anyone caught exhibiting the Christmas Spirit was fined 5 shillings)?</p></li>
<li><p>Which Roman deity was born on December 25th (the most sacred day of the year to the Romans)?</p></li>
<li><p>Which came first - the yule log tradition or Christmas?</p></li>
<li><p>Although the date of birth is not given in the Bible, it can be argued that there are Biblical hints that the birth of Jesus occurred during which season of the year?</p></li>
<li><p>Who decided that December 25th would be the day celebrating the birth of Jesus? (extra credit: Why was this day chosen?)</p></li>
<li><p>Although most Americans think they are celebrating Christmas traditions which have been around for centuries and centuries, in which century were these “traditions” invented?</p></li>
<li><p>Throughout most of the “Christian Era,” celebrants of Christmas would first go to church, but then do what after church?</p></li>
<li><p>Germans are credited with the tradition of Christmas trees, but evergreen boughs were brought into homes much earlier. Who started this? (hint: not the Egyptians, who brought palms into the home at this time of the year to celebrate the god Ra’s recovery from illness and the triumph of life over death)</p></li>
<li><p>Except for Germans, Christmas trees were frowned upon as pagan symbols until embraced by royalty. Which king and queen “legitimized” the Christmas tree?</p></li>
<li><p>Where was the first eggnog consumed? (Nog is derived from the word grog, which refers to any drink made with rum)</p></li>
<li><p>Poinsettias are traditional plant symbols of Christmas. From which country did they come and who brought them to the US?</p></li>
<li><p>Why are Christmas stockings hung by the fireplace? (or, in Sweden, shoes; both figure prominently in the same legend)</p></li>
<li><p>Where is Christmas celebrated in the middle of summer with traditional outdoor barbeques? (aside: anyone remember Crazy Eddie’s Christmas in July sale where “Prices are Insane”…?)</p></li>
<li><p>Who created the first living nativity scene in 1224 to help explain the birth of Jesus?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>1)?Clement Moore
2)??
3)??
4)They didn’t
5)Netherlands and I don’t know
6)?Norway
7)Nash
8)Probably Boston or Plymouth, Mass, see #4 above
9)Saturn
10)Yule log
11)Spring/vernal equinox
12)During early church - probably COnstantine or may St Augustine - to try to marry the pagan Roman and Christian traditions, it was a big Roman feast day
13)?get drunk
14)Celts, Druids?
15)Victoria and Albert
16)??Colonial America
17) Mexico and Mr/Dr Poinsett
18) St Nicholas legend?
19)Australia
20) St Francis of Assisi</p>
<ol>
<li>correct</li>
<li>correct</li>
<li>correct: Sint Nikolas (Dutch for Saint Nickolas) ==> shortened to Sinter Klaus ==> evolved to Santa Claus</li>
<li>correct</li>
<li>correct (Boston/Mass)</li>
<li>correct</li>
<li>correct</li>
<li>the “why” is correct</li>
<li>correct</li>
<li>correct</li>
<li>need to be more specific</li>
<li>correct</li>
<li>need to be more specific</li>
<li>correct</li>
<li>correct</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>From what country was the name of Santa Clause derived? Who did Santa Clause represent? (hint: Sinter Klaus)</p></li>
<li><p>correct: Sint Nikolas (Dutch for Saint Nickolas) ==> shortened to Sinter Klaus ==> evolved to Santa Claus</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Well, almost. The Dutch name is Sinterklaas. While the persona evolved into Santa Clause, Sinterklaas is celebrated on the 5th/6th of December. </p>
<p>I know because in our family we used to receive gifts for St. Nicolas/Sinterklaas from one set of grandparents on the 6th of December, Santa from the parents at Chrismas, and finally the Three Kings on the 6th of January from the other set of grandparents. :)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Which President first had a Christmas tree in the White House?</p></li>
<li><p>In 1923, Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree lighting. But in which year was the tree not lit until December 22 (and why)?</p></li>
<li><p>In which year was the national Christmas tree NOT lit at all, except for the top-most light (and why)?</p></li>
<li><p>Who first came up with the idea of using electric lights on Christmas trees?</p></li>
<li><p>Why was tinsel once banned by the Federal Government?</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li> Robert May (should have answered that with my earlier post). He worked for Montgomery Ward, and they used the Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer book as a Christmas time give-away.</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>First energy crisis? 1972?</li>
<li>1979 for the Iran hostages</li>
<li>It should have been Edison, but actually it was a sidekick of his.</li>
<li>When I was little tinsel was that nice stuff that stuck to itself and you had to unfold it carefully. I think it got banned because of the lead content. The new stuff is yucky.</li>
</ol>
<p>At least in Bavaria, where we lived, St. Nicholas comes on Dec 5/6, and the Christkind (depicted as a lady angel!) came on Christmas Eve while the family was at mass. The “guy” that accompanies St. Nicholas is an ugly character called Knecht Ruprecht - also called Krampus. He is the equivalent of coal in our stocking - carrying switches to hit the bad children. </p>
<p>St. Nicholas is always dressed as a Bishop - doesn’t resemble our American Santa Claus much. He brings mainly candy or small gifts. The Christkind brings a bigger gift or two. Nothing like what Santa does! The big holiday is Christmas Eve. Not much happens on Christmas Day.</p>
<p>16) Williamsburg maybe
18) Just can’t remember how the legend went, he gave things to the poor, ala Good King Wencelas, something about if the kids left stockings out he would surprise them - I refuse to cheat and use the Internet.</p>