Nice Effort. Even our cyber-secure Santa from the future is impressed.
Well done! That was a good try for your soft human brain. I’m feeling super generous. So, you don’t even have to get all the answers right. I’ll give you a ticket for the prize draw anyway. But don’t tell your friends. definitely don’t share this quiz with your friends and share the champagne with them if you win. Ho, ho ho! I’ll be in touch if you are a lucky winner.
In the meantime here are the answers …
Answer Sheet
(Also generated by AI)
Question 1. What is the most common architectural style of Santa’s workshop as depicted in popular culture?
Whilst Santa’s workshop is often thought to be a small home or grotto, history depicts Santa’s home as a castle at the North Pole throughout the years. Take a look at some of the imagery over the years, starting with a department store in 1879 and Disney’s 1932 short film, ‘Silly Symphony’.
Question 2. Which famous building traditionally hosts a large Christmas tree, gifted annually by Norway as a token of gratitude?
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is given by the city of Oslo as a token of Norwegian gratitude to the people of London for their assistance during the years 1940–1945. A tree has been given annually since 1947. The tree lighting ceremony takes place on the first Thursday in December each year. The tree stands until 6 January.
Question 3. In Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” what type of building does Scrooge live in?
Dickens writes as follows of Scrooge’s living arrangements: “He lived in chambers which had once belonged to his deceased partner. They were a gloomy suite of rooms in a lowering pile of building up a yard, where it had so little business to be, that one could scarcely help fancying it must have run there when it was a young house, playing at hide-and-seek with other houses, and forgotten the way out again.”
Question 4. Which city is known for its unique ‘Gingerbread Houses’ that are particularly popular during Christmas?
Bergen, Norway. We call them “pepperkaker” – literally pepper cookies – even though they rarely contain any pepper. Usually, they come in the form of women and men, angels and reindeer, hearts and bells – and even houses and castles. Every year since 1991, kindergarteners, schoolchildren, local businesses, and thousands of other volunteers have participated in the construction of Pepperkakebyen in Bergen.
Question 5. The world’s largest Christmas tree made of lights is often displayed on what kind of structure?
The medieval town Gubbio in Italy hosts an extraordinary 2,000ft light display decorated on pine trees on the side of Mount Ingino. The top of tree, which reaches up to the peak of Basilica of the Patron Sant’Ubaldo, is crowned with a bright white shooting star. The display is illuminated every year from 7 December at 6.30pm from Piazza Gramsci, with Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis previously having the honours of switching on the lights.
Question 6. In many European Christmas markets, what type of temporary structure is commonly used for stalls and shops?
Christmas markets date to the Late Middle Ages in the German-speaking part of Europe and in many parts of the former Holy Roman Empire including many eastern regions of France. Dresden’s Striezelmarkt was first held in 1434 and one of the first true Christmas markets. Early mentions of these “December markets” can be found in Vienna, Munich, Bautzen and Frankfurt.
Question 7. The iconic ‘Home Alone’ house, featured in the Christmas movie, is an example of which architectural style?
The property you see in the exterior shots is located at 671 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, Illinois. The town is a northern suburb of Chicago, and according to Zillow, the Colonial home was built in 1920. The gorgeous, warm interiors of the Home Alone house look authentic, but they’re not from the Winnetka mansion. The film’s indoor scenes were shot at New Trier Township High School.
Question 8. Which famous London landmark hosts a special Christmas concert every year?
During the Christmas season, the Royal Albert Hall hosts special events featuring traditional Christmas carols and festive music. These events often involve choirs, orchestras, and guest performers coming together to celebrate the holiday season through music.
Question 9. What is a unique feature of medieval European castles during Christmas?
Castles and large stone churches were draughty places that were hard to keep warm during the winter. In those days, insulation was unheard of, therefore tapestries were placed in buildings to keep them warm. The importance of tapestries was that they were easy to transport from one location to another for display.
Question 10. The tradition of Christmas markets originated in which type of historical setting?
In many towns in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the Christmas market or “Weihnachtsmarkt”. Traditionally held in the town square, the market offers food, drinks and seasonal items for sale from open-air stalls, accompanied by traditional singing and dancing.