Now You Know

Thanks to all who played in this year's Christmas Quiz, and to those who commented or emailed their comments. Congratulations to Kimberly, who got the most right this year. Correct answers are below:

1. What year was How the Grinch Stole Christmas made into a television cartoon? 1966
2. What self-sacrificing gifts were exchanged in O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi? A comb and watch fob
3. In what country did the tradition of the Christmas tree begin? Germany
4. In A Charlie Brown Christmas, what does Linus do for the little Christmas tree? Wraps his blanket around the trunk
5. When was Christmas first celebrated as a holiday? Fourth Century AD
6. In what country did the poinsettia originate and for whom is it named? Mexico, named for US Ambassador John Poinsett, who brought the plant to the US from Mexico in 1830.
7. St. Nicholas was born in what country? Turkey
8. What are the names of the three wise men? Melchior, Caspar, and Beltshasar
9. In total, how many swans are a-swimming in the Twelve Days of Christmas? 42
10. Where do the bells ring in the song Jingle Bells? On Bobtail
11. When was the first US Christmas stamp issued? 1961
12. What were Frosty the Snowman's parting words? "I'll be back again someday!"
13. What does Alvin the Chipmunk want for Christmas? A Hula-Hoop
14. What are Scrooge and Marley's first names? Ebenezer, Jacob
15. In the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas, what reason does the Grinch give to Cindy Lou Who for taking her Christmas tree? Because "there was a light on this tree that won't light on one side."
16. In the song I'll Be Home for Christmas, in addition to snow and mistletoe, you should have what else? Presents under the tree
17. What Christmas tree decorations were banned by the US Government? Tinsel that contained lead
18. In It's a Wonderful Life, what did Clarence earn for a successful mission? His wings
19. Who wrote the song Rudolph the red-nosed Reindeer? Gene Autry
20. Who wrote the story A Christmas Carol? Charles Dickens
21. What colonial religious group forbade the singing of Christmas carols? The Puritans
22. How many years does it take to grow a six-foot Christmas tree? 18
23. Where did electric Christmas tree lights come from, and when? Thomas Edison's assistants at Menlo Park developed them in 1882. They were mass produced beginning in 1890.
24. Over what days are the Twelve Days of Christmas? December 25 - January 6
25. What are Frosty's eyes made of? Coal
26. When, and in what newspaper, was Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus published? 1897, The New York Sun
27. What Christmas carol has the same tune as Greensleeves? What Child is This?
28. In what country and year did Christmas card giving originate? The United Kingdom, 1843
29. In the song Away in a Manger, what are the cattle doing? Lowing
30. What is the literal English translation of the German word tannenbaum? fir tree
31. What does the word "advent" mean? Coming
32. What well-known holiday city can you find in Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania? (Hint: If you know me, you'll know my maternal grandfather's family hails from and still lives in the Georgia city by this name) Bethlehem
33. Loosely translated, what does "adeste fideles" mean? O Come All Ye Faithful
34. In the book The Polar Express, what was found behind the tree after all the gifts had been unwrapped? One last small box with a silver bell inside
35. In 1963, why was lighting the National Christmas Tree delayed until December 22? A 30-day period of mourning following President Kennedy's assasination
36. In The Night Before Christmas, what does Santa say as he pulls away in his sleigh? "Happy Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!"
37. In the Christmas Story in St. Luke's gospel, who was governor of Syria when Caesar Augustus called the census? Cirinius