Q 01/05

The first recorded Christmas trees were put up by Lutherans in which country in the 16th century?

A) England

B) Norway

C) France

D) Germany

Answer · why

D) Germany

A tree was placed in Strasbourg Cathedral in 1539, and the custom later spread from guild halls into family homes.

Q 02/05

Which country sends the giant Christmas tree that stands in London's Trafalgar Square every year?

A) Sweden

B) Canada

C) Norway

D) Finland

Answer · why

C) Norway

It thanks Britain for supporting the Norwegian resistance during World War II, and Oslo sends one to Washington, DC too.

Q 03/05

Who commissioned the first commercially produced Christmas card, in London in 1843?

A) Charles Dickens

B) Prince Albert

C) Sir Rowland Hill

D) Sir Henry Cole

Answer · why

D) Sir Henry Cole

It was designed by John Callcott Horsley and showed a family raising a toast, which scandalised temperance campaigners.

Q 04/05

Tradition says the Christmas cracker was invented in 1847 by a London confectioner named what?

A) Tom Smith

B) John Cadbury

C) Joseph Fry

D) William Terry

Answer · why

A) Tom Smith

His son Walter added the paper hats and little gifts to beat off copycat rivals.

Q 05/05

The Advent calendar, with a door to open each day, was first used by which group?

A) German Lutherans

B) Italian Catholics

C) Dutch Calvinists

D) English Anglicans

Answer · why

A) German Lutherans

Early ones hid pictures from Bible stories behind 24 little doors; the chocolate came much later.