Quiz: The Origins of the Modern-day Santa Claus and Christmas Cards

Santa Claus (Wave Break Media from Getty Images)

Discover the fascinating transformation from Father Christmas to the jolly Santa Claus we know today. Where does Santa Claus truly call home? Journey with us to uncover the legends surrounding his magical residence. 

When was the first commercial Christmas card designed? 
Can you guess who is regarded as 'the father of the American Christmas card'? 

Share your newfound knowledge and spread the holiday spirit! 



QUIZ TIME! 



Multiple-choice test 


​1. What was the first name used for Father Christmas in a carol from the early 15th century? 
  A. Sir Christmas 
  B. Old Christmas 
  C. Mr Christmas 
  D. Captain Christmas 

2. What did the Dutch settlers celebrate that contributed to the American Santa Claus tradition? 
  A. Christmas 
  B. Sinterklaas 
  C. New Year 
  D. Epiphany 

3. What was the name of the magazine that featured the first picture of Santa Claus driving a reindeer-pulled sleigh? 
  A. Harper's Magazine 
  B. The Children's Friend 
  C. New Amsterdam 
  D. A Christmas Carol 

4. Who is primarily credited with shaping the modern image of Santa Claus? 
  A. American writers and artists 
  B. European folklore 
  C. Traditional Christmas stories 
  D. Children's books 

5. Who was responsible for fixing the modern idea of what Santa Claus looks like? 
  A. Clement Clarke Moore 
  B. Thomas Nast 
  C. Charles Dickens 
  D. Mark Twain 

6. What was the significant change in the way Father Christmas was depicted after 1850? 
  A. He was depicted with a goat 
  B. He started wearing red robes 
  C. He became associated with reindeer 
  D. He was no longer associated with children 

7. What was the real home of Santa Claus claimed by the Finns in 1927? 
  A. New York 
  B. The North Pole 
  C. Lapland 
  D. Myra 

8. Who designed the first Christmas card commissioned by Sir Henry Cole in 1843? 
  A. Tom Smith 
  B. Linnie Watts 
  C. Henry Payne John 
  D. John Callcott Horsley 

9. What was the price of the Christmas cards that Sir Henry Cole decided to sell? 
  A. One shilling 
  B. Two shillings 
  C. Five pence 
  D. Ten pence 

10. Who is regarded as 'the father of the American Christmas card'? 
  A. Clement Clarke Moore 
  B. Louis Prang 
  C. Charles Wesley 
  D. Thomas Nast 



True-or-false test 


1. Santa Claus is originally based on Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian bishop. 
  True 
  False 

2. Clement Clarke Moore's poem, The Night Before Christmas, was the first to mention Santa Claus's reindeer. 
  True 
  False 

3. Clement Clarke Moore's poem included the idea of Santa Claus being small enough to fit down a chimney. 
  True 
  False 

4. The modern image of Santa Claus is primarily influenced by European writers and artists. 
  True 
  False 

5. Thomas Nast was an American cartoonist who influenced the modern image of Santa Claus. 
  True 
  False 

6. The transformation of Father Christmas into Santa Claus was complete by the early years of the 20th century. 
  True 
  False 

7. The Finns claimed that Santa's real home was in the North Pole. 
  True 
  False 

8. The first Christmas card was designed by John Callcott Horsley. 
  True 
  False 

9. The first commercial Christmas card was commissioned in London in 1843. 
  True 
  False 

10. Louis Prang was responsible for making Christmas cards more affordable in the United States. 
  True 
  False 
​



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Answers 


Multiple-choice test 

1. A. Sir Christmas 
2. B. Sinterklaas 
3. B. The Children's Friend 
4. A. American writers and artists 
5. B. Thomas Nast 
6. B. He started wearing red robes 
7. C. Lapland 
8. D. John Callcott Horsley 
9. A. One shilling 
10. B. Louis Prang 


True-or-false test 

1. True 
2. False 
3. True 
4. False 
5. True 
6. True 
7. False 
8. True 
9. True 
10. True 

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