The Christmas Picture Quiz

1. TRUE. Prince Albert did have a Christmas tree set up in Windsor Castle covered in candles and other ornaments with presents underneath. Many people thought it would be a good idea to copy this.

2. FALSE. This is picture of Befana who delivers presents to the children in Italy. Baboushka is the giftbringer in many parts of Russia.

3. TRUE. The Christmas pudding was traditionally stirred, on "Stir-up Sunday" (at the beginning of Advent) from east to west. Every member of the family had to give the pudding a stir and and make a wish.

4. TRUE. Pagans always lit fires to the sun at this time of year. Christians carried on the tradition by lighting candles to the Son of God at Christmas.

5. TRUE. In 1843, Sir Henry Cole realised that he would not have time to write letters to all his friends at Christmas. An artist called Horsley designed a card for him. It shows merrymakers in the centre and pictures of the poor being clothed and fed on either side. The card cost one shilling - a lot of money in those days.

6. TRUE. Carol singers and musicians, in Victorian times, visited houses at Christmas. They sang and collected money. They were called "the waits" and might have been lucky enough to given a warm drink of ale with apples and spices if the "waited" long enough.

7. FALSE. According to the old song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" there were "TEN lords a-leaping" (in some versions it's TWELVE). The origins of the song are not known, but similar versions are popular in many countries of the world.

8. TRUE. Tom Smith copied the idea from French bonbons. He added love notes and later had the idea of adding the bang. His "fire-cracker" sweets were so successful he later added hats and little toys.

9. FALSE. Dutch children believe Sinter Klaas (or St Nicholas) comes from Spain. He arrives on a boat before setting off to deliver his Christmas presents on a white horse. He is accompanied by Black Peter who beats the naughty children.

10. FALSE. Calendars are different in some countries. Some countries keep to the old calendar with regard to religious festivals. In Russia, for example, Christmas Day is on January 6th. 

11. TRUE. St Francis is thought to have made the first crib. Crowds of people came to see it. He tied a ox and an ass by a rocky cave and real people acted the parts of Mary and Joseph. A wax doll in a manger represented Jesus. Christmas cribs have been popular ever since.

12. TRUE. Farmers did indeed put holly in their cowsheds. It was to make sure the cows gave plenty of milk and had healthy calves during the year.

13. FALSE. "The Snowman" was written (and drawn) by Raymond Briggs. Charles Dickens wrote the famous novel called "A Christmas Carol" about Ebeneezer Scrooge.

14. TRUE. Dutch settlers living in North America told stories of "Sinter Klaas" (St Nicholas) and the American adopted the saint as "Santa Claus". Eventually the he became popular in Britiain and replaced Father Christmas to some extent. 

15. FALSE. Clement Moore lists EIGHT reindeer that pull Santa's (St Nicholas's) sleigh - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.

16. TRUE. The three Wise Men (or Three Kings) are the giftbringers in Spain. On "King's Day" (6th January) the children put their shoes on the window sill and hope the Kings will fill them with sweets and toys as they pass.

17. TRUE. The first mince pies really were filled with meat shredded into little strips. They were called "shrid pies". These first mince pies were very large. Cooks began to make them smaller and they were then given the name "wayfarer's pies" because they were offered to visitors who called during the Christmas season.

18. TRUE. A legend tells of a little girl who had no gift to give Jesus at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve except a bunch of weeds. People laughed at her when suddenly the weeds changed into a spray of beautiful scarlet flowers. Since then the poinsettia has been known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".

19. TRUE. Robins may have been so popular as a Christmas image in Victorian times because in the 1840s and 1850s postboys wore red uniforms. Also, there was a strange Boxing Day ritual whereby a dead wren was carried from door to door and money was collected. Over the years the wren may have become a robin.

20. FALSE. People kiss under the mistletoe because it is a symbol of peace, friendship and love. The tradition may have come from Scandinavia where, if enemies met beneath the mistletoe, they would declare a truce. It is holly that is associated with the pain and suffering of Jesus as he was put to death. The leaves represented the crown of thorns and the berries his blood.