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See if you can get a 10/10 on this Christmas quiz!

"Classic Christmas" Trivia

The first candy cane was made over 350 years ago. Originally candy canes were only white and they didn't have the red & white blend. Candy canes were first mentioned in association with Christmas in 1874. Red & White striped candy canes were first made around 1900. In 1921, Brasher O. Westerfield invented a machine that would automatically make candy canes. Before this invention each one was made by hand. Today over 1.7 billion candy canes are made world wide each year.

Over 350 years ago

Christmas wasn't widely celebrated in the United States until the 1800s. So, decorated trees did not become widely popular until people saw the ornaments brought to America by families emigrating from Germany and England in the 1840s. The Christmas ornaments that caught the public's eye were the glass-blown ornaments hand-crafted in Lauscha, Germany. Besides their visual appeal, their lightweight design may have been equally appealing. In the 1860s and 70s, the first commercial Christmas tree ornaments began to emerge. Some of these commercial Christmas ornaments were crafted out of embossed and painted cardboard. These were Dresden ornaments, named for the German city where they were produced.

1840s

When did the first Christmas ornaments arrive in the U.S.A?  


Snowflakes are NOT frozen raindrops. Frozen raindrops are known as sleet. Snow crystals are formed when water vapor freezes, which all happens in the clouds.

False

True or False: Snowflakes are frozen raindrops.

The first decorated Christmas tree was in Riga, Latvia in 1510. But, the use of evergreen trees to celebrate the winter season occurred before the birth of Christ.   
Live Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850. The first Christmas tree retail lot in the United States was started by Mark Carr in New York, in 1851.

Riga, Latvia

Where was the first decorated Christmas tree?  


Using small candles to light a Christmas tree dates back to the middle of the 17th century. Thomas Edison's assistant, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees in 1882. Christmas tree lights were first mass-produced in 1890, and were quite expensive.

1890

What year were Christmas tree lights first mass-produced?

The Romans mixed pine nuts, barley mash, pomegranate seeds, raisins and honeyed wine and shaped it into a cake they called “satura.” Fittingly, the word satire—a literary device the Romans invented—is derived from the cake: a mix of many ingredients both sour and sweet.

The Romans

Who is credited with inventing Fruitcake?

The tradition of hanging wreaths on Christmas started in Germany in the 1500s, by the Lutherans. However, the idea of branches bundled up into a ring was a concept that first emerged in Ancient Greek and Roman times.
 People who hung wreaths on their doors & windows were thought to achieve significant achievement and success.

Germany, 1500s

Where/when did the tradition of hanging wreaths on Christmas start?  


The gingerbread house became popular in Germany after the Brothers Grimm published their fariy tale collection which included “Hansel and Gretel” in the 19th century. Also, fun fact: Queen Elizabeth I of England is credited with creating the first gingerbread men.

Hansel and Gretel

Gingerbread houses became popular in Germany after the publication of which fairy tale?

From the 16th to 19th centuries, hot chocolate was valued as a medicine as well as a drink. The explorer Francisco Hernández wrote that chocolate beverages helped treat fever and liver disease. Another explorer, Santiago de Valverde Turices, believed that large amounts of hot chocolate was helpful in treating chest ailments, but in smaller amounts could help stomach disorders. Also; a study conducted by Cornell University has shown that hot chocolate contains more antioxidants than wine and tea, therefore reducing the risk of heart disease.

True

True or False: From the 16th to 19th centuries, hot chocolate was valued as a medicine as well as a drink.

The Christmas stocking tradition started in Europe. Christmas stockings were originally plain socks, but soon, stockings made especially for the purpose of holding gifts were designed. Christmas stockings were traditionally filled with food to eat, and sometimes small gifts.

Europe

Where did the Christmas stocking tradition start?

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"Classic Christmas" Trivia

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