Bah Humbug (Aka The Christmas Quiz)

The alternative name for Boxing Day is "The Feast of St. Stephen." Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26th, the day after Christmas, and is traditionally associated with giving gifts to the less fortunate. St. Stephen was the first Christian martyr, and his feast day falls on December 26th. The name "The Feast of St. Stephen" is used to refer to Boxing Day in many countries, particularly those with a Christian heritage.

The poinsettia was first associated with Christmas in Mexico and is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night." This is because the poinsettia plant is native to Mexico and was used in traditional Mexican Christmas celebrations. The bright red color of the poinsettia is also reminiscent of the holiday season, making it a popular decoration during Christmas time.

The first artificial Christmas tree was made from feathers. This was a common practice in the 19th century, where goose feathers were dyed green and attached to wire branches to resemble a real tree. Feathers were a popular choice because they were lightweight and easy to shape into branches. Over time, materials like glass, plastic, and silk became more commonly used for artificial trees, but feathers were the original material used.

In Holland, Santa Claus is known as St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas is a beloved figure who brings gifts to children on December 5th, the eve of St. Nicholas' Day. He is depicted as a kind and generous old man with a white beard, wearing a red bishop's robe and a Mitre. St. Nicholas is an important part of Dutch tradition and is celebrated with parades and festivities throughout the country.

St. Nicholas, also known as Nicholas of Myra, was a Christian bishop who lived during the 4th century in the region that is now modern-day Turkey. He was known for his generosity and gift-giving, which eventually evolved into the tradition of Santa Claus. Turkey is therefore the correct answer as it is the country where the real St. Nicholas lived.

Clement Moore is the correct answer because he is the author of the famous poem "The Night Before Christmas." This poem, also known as "A Visit from St. Nicholas," was first published anonymously in 1823 but later attributed to Moore. It has become a beloved Christmas tradition, depicting the story of Santa Claus and his reindeer on Christmas Eve. Moore's poem has had a significant impact on shaping the modern image of Santa Claus and has been widely popular for generations.

In the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas," the gifts are cumulative, meaning that each day you receive all the gifts from the previous days as well as the new gift for that day. The song starts with one gift on the first day and adds one more gift each day, resulting in a total of 364 gifts by the end of the twelve days. Therefore, the correct answer is 364.

The first Christmas card was created in England. This is because the tradition of sending Christmas cards began in England in the 1840s. Sir Henry Cole, a British civil servant, commissioned the first Christmas card in 1843. The card was designed by John Callcott Horsley and featured a festive scene with people celebrating. The popularity of Christmas cards quickly spread from England to other countries, making it the birthplace of this holiday tradition.

Situated in the Indian Ocean, 1500 km west of the Australian mainland and approximately 2600 km from Perth, Christmas Island is an Australian territory. Despite its affiliation with Australia, its closest neighbor is Indonesia, located about 350 km to the north. Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is approximately 500 km away from the island.

The question asks for the name that was not considered for Tiny Tim's character in "A Christmas Carol." The names "Little Larry," "Puny Pete," and "Small Sam" are all options that could have been considered for the character's name. However, "Wee Willie" is the name that was not considered for Tiny Tim's character.

T.S. Eliot wrote the poem "Journey of the Magi." This poem was published in 1927 and is considered one of Eliot's most famous works. It tells the story of the biblical Magi and their journey to see the birth of Jesus. Eliot's poem explores themes of disillusionment, spiritual transformation, and the difficulties of faith. The poem is known for its rich imagery, complex language, and profound exploration of religious and existential themes.

The tradition of exchanging gifts is believed to have originated in ancient Rome, which is located in Italy. The Romans celebrated a festival called Saturnalia, during which they would exchange small gifts as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. This tradition eventually spread to other parts of Europe and the world. The Netherlands, Greece, and Israel do not have historical evidence suggesting that they were the birthplace of the tradition of exchanging gifts.

Hot cockles is a Christmas game. It involves blindfolding one person and having them guess who is hitting them on the back. The other participants take turns gently slapping or tapping the blindfolded person, who then has to guess who did it. It is a traditional game played during the holiday season and is often enjoyed by families and friends as a form of entertainment.

"Silent Night" was first played on the guitar. This is because the song was originally composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber, a musician from Austria, to be performed with a guitar accompaniment. The guitar was commonly used in the region at the time, making it a suitable choice for the first performance of the song. Over the years, "Silent Night" has been adapted and performed on various instruments, but its origins lie in its beautiful simplicity on the guitar.

"The Nutcracker" is set in Germany because the story is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's book "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," which takes place in Germany. The ballet adaptation by Tchaikovsky also maintains the German setting, with the main characters, Clara and the Nutcracker, attending a Christmas party in a German household. The story revolves around the magical events that unfold after the party, all within a German context.