[Mrs. Robinson]

December 25, 2017

Merry Christmas

We're sure you have presents under your tree that needs some opening,
but if you're looking for something else to do today,
try out these Christmas trivia questions . . .

Who Was the First Person to Play Santa in a Department Store?

Santa Claus is based on Saint Nicholas, who died in A.D. 342. Massachusetts store owner named James Edgar was the first documented department store Santa Claus. Edgar had arrived in the United States from Scotland in 1878, opening a store on Main Street in Brockton. In 1890, he got the idea to dress like Santa from illustrations he had seen by illustrator Thomas Nast.

His idea was so popular that children from as far away as Boston boarded a train to go see Santa. While Edgar played Santa in his store, a few years later he began walking around the town dressed in his Santa suit during the Christmas season. Edgar was known for helping the disadvantaged, paying for medical care for children, giving jobs to people who needed them and other acts of kindness. He obviously took the idea of Santa Claus to heart.

Who is largely responsible for defining what the modern Santa Claus looks like?

Thomas Nast drew a picture of Santa Claus for the January 1, 1881 issue of Harper’s Weekly and the rest of the media ran with it. It became the visual prototype of the Santa Claus we all know and love. He also drew an earlier version of Santa Claus in the January 3, 1863 issue of Harper’s Weekly but it doesn’t resemble the modern Santa as much as his 1881 drawing. Nast's depictions of iconic characters, such as Santa Claus and Uncle Sam, are widely credited as forming the basis of popular depictions used today.

What Were the Original Names of Santa’s Reindeer?

The names are contained in a poem written in 1823 entitled “A Visit From Saint Nicholas.” In modern times, the poem has come to be known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” However, changes have been made in the names of the reindeer since the poem was written. Originally, they were called Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dunder and Blixem.

The last two names were changed by Clement Moore in 1836 to the German Donner and Blitzen when the poem was published as a reprint with his own name as author. However, Dunder and Blixem are Dutch words that mean “thunder and lightning.” Moore only spoke German. The true author may have been Henry Livingston, a Dutch poet living in New York at the time. As a Dutch speaker, he probably would have named the last two reindeer Dunder and Blixem.

What Country Began the Tradition of Christmas Trees?

People in Germany began the tradition back in the 1500s. They would either bring trees into the home or construct them of piled wood that was decorated with candles and evergreens. Protestant reformer Martin Luther is widely credited with being the first person to place candles on a Christmas tree. The idea came to him as he enjoyed the view of the stars twinkling amid the trees outdoors while walking home one evening.

The first recorded use of a Christmas tree in the United States was in Pennsylvania in the 1830s by German settlers. However, Christmas trees were unacceptable to most Americans into the 1840s because they were deemed pagan. This opinion continued until later in the 19th century with the large influx of Irish and German immigrants who influenced earlier views.

When Was the First Christmas Tree Placed at Rockefeller Center
in New York?

In 1931, a small tree without any decorations placed at Rockefeller Center by construction workers in the area. The next year, the tree placed there was adorned with lights. The tallest tree ever placed at Rockefeller Center was in 1948. It was a Norway spruce with a height of 100 feet.

Who Was the First Person to Play Santa
in a Department Store?

Santa Claus is based on Saint Nicholas, who died in A.D. 342. Brockton, Massachusetts store owner named James Edgar was the first documented department store Santa Claus. Edgar had arrived in the United States from Scotland in 1878, opening a store on Main Street in Brockton. In 1890, he got the idea to dress like Santa from illustrations he had seen by illustrator Thomas Nast.

His idea was so popular that children from as far away as Boston boarded a train to go see Santa. While Edgar played Santa in his store, a few years later he began walking around the town dressed in his Santa suit during the Christmas season. Edgar was known for helping the disadvantaged, paying for medical care for children, giving jobs to people who needed them and other acts of kindness. He obviously took the idea of Santa Claus to heart.

[manaboutown]

Fun facts, thanks!