“Santa Claus” came from St. Nicholas’s name in what language?
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Dutch children wait for Sint-Nicolaas at Christmas, or “Sinterklaas” for short. Sinterklaas rides a white horse and travels with “Black Pete,” an assistant in blackface who brings the candy.
The writer who invented the idea of Santa Claus coming down the chimney is better known for creating what spooky character?
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Washington Irving, whose Headless Horseman starred in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” first wrote that Santa “rattles down the chimney” in his satirical 1812 “History of New York.”
St. Nicholas was the inspiration for the character we know as Santa Claus. The Roman town where he was born is located in what modern-day country?
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Saint Nicholas was a Christian bishop known for spending his inheritance to help the sick and the poor. He was born in A.D. 280 in what is part of Turkey today.
What do Swedish children leave out for Santa Claus when they go to bed on Christmas Eve?
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Swedish children help Santa stay awake during his long journey with a strong cup of coffee.
What soft drink company was the first to use Santa Claus in its ads?
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Coca-Cola is often credited with inventing the modern Santa image, but White Rock used him in mineral water ads in 1915, which is 15 years before Coca-Cola did.
What country issued passports in the name of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in 2013?
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Canada’s immigration minister announced the creation of the passports during a special ceremony in Toronto. The U.S. issued Santa a pilot’s license in 1927, however.
What nation’s postal service reports processing more letters to Santa Claus each year than any other country?
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The U.S. comes in a distant third place. Canada is second, and France is first. French children send about 1.7 million letters to “Père Noël” every year.
According to Christian tradition, when is St. Nicholas’s feast day (the day of the year when he died)?
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Dec. 6, the Feast of St. Nicholas, was the dominant gift-exchange date in Europe until German protestants began celebrating “Christkindl,” a feast day for the Christ child, on December 25.
Which of the following Christmas items is borrowed from a symbol associated with St. Nicholas?
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The candy cane’s shape emulates the staff carried by Catholic bishops (like St. Nicholas) as a symbol of their church office. A 17th century German choirmaster invented them.
Which U.S. state has a town called Santa Claus?
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Santa Claus, Indiana is home to the Santa Claus Museum, the Santa Claus Post Office, Lake Rudolph and the Santa Claus Land of Lights.
