FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about Christmas Trees Around The World
Quiz about Christmas Trees Around The World

Christmas Trees Around The World Quiz


The use of decorated Christmas trees to celebrate Christmas is almost universal in the Christian World. Let's have a look at the history and different approaches different cultures have embraced the Christmas tree.

A multiple-choice quiz by 1nn1. Estimated time: 4 mins.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. World Trivia
  6. »
  7. Christmas
  8. »
  9. Christmas Around the World

Author
1nn1
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
395,389
Updated
Dec 21 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
932
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Fiona112233 (7/10), Guest 192 (6/10), woodychandler (6/10).
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. The modern Christmas tree can trace its origins to the Livonia (Estonia / Latvia) area of northern Europe in medieval times. Protestant Germanic people would take evergreen trees into their homes and decorate them. Which type of tree would *NOT* be suitable? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The use of evergreen trees as symbols precedes Christian beliefs. Tree worship was a common Pagan ritual. In one place, Koliada, a Pagan winter festival (later incorporated into Christmas celebrations) included suspending an evergreen branch from the ceiling and decorating it with apples, nuts, paper stars and ribbons. This was called a "Podlazniczka" (Anglicised spelling).
Which country celebrated this custom?
Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The ritual of Christmas trees was introduced into Britain at a Christmas party for children by a German-born royal. Who was this person? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. True or False. The Christmas tree tradition was introduced into North America by Hessian soldiers stationed in Quebec in 1781 to guard the colony against American attack?


Question 5 of 10
5. In Russia, the Christmas tree was banned during the October Revolution in 1917 but in 1935 it was revitalised in a different form. On what holiday was it used as a commemoration? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Outdoors public Christmas trees have certainly raised the linking of such trees with Christmas. Where is the US National Christmas Tree located? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. True or False: There is an agreed world-wide time frame when a Christmas Tree should be set up and taken down?


Question 8 of 10
8. Christmas trees are so popular there are actually Christmas tree farms that grow the requisite conifer trees just for Christmas. How long does it take for a Christmas tree to reach seven feet or 2.1 metres? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Artificial trees are becoming more popular. Which of the following has *NOT* been made into Christmas trees? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. There is no doubt that it was the Protestant church that advocated for the inclusion of Christmas trees as part of the religious component of Christmas. Perhaps the acceptance by the Roman Catholic Church was when Pope John Paul II introduced the Christmas tree in the Vatican. What year was this? Hint



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Most Recent Scores
Oct 16 2024 : Fiona112233: 7/10
Sep 24 2024 : Guest 192: 6/10
Sep 01 2024 : woodychandler: 6/10

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The modern Christmas tree can trace its origins to the Livonia (Estonia / Latvia) area of northern Europe in medieval times. Protestant Germanic people would take evergreen trees into their homes and decorate them. Which type of tree would *NOT* be suitable?

Answer: Oak

Given Christmas occurs in the Northern Hemisphere in winter, an evergreen tree is needed. Pine, Spruce and Fir trees all retain their leaves in winter (Oaks are deciduous). There are reports that go back as far as the late 1400s where guildhalls would decorate trees at Christmas time with sweets (Livonia) or "apples, nuts, dates, pretzels and paper flowers" (Bremen Germany).

The sweets were given to children and apprentices and on the last night before Christmas the tree was taken to the town square and the townsfolk danced around it.
2. The use of evergreen trees as symbols precedes Christian beliefs. Tree worship was a common Pagan ritual. In one place, Koliada, a Pagan winter festival (later incorporated into Christmas celebrations) included suspending an evergreen branch from the ceiling and decorating it with apples, nuts, paper stars and ribbons. This was called a "Podlazniczka" (Anglicised spelling). Which country celebrated this custom?

Answer: Poland

The Egyptians, Romans and Chinese have used evergreen trees, often made into wreaths and garlands, as symbols of eternal life. In northern Europe tree worship continued after the conversion to Christianity and it is quite possible the earlier practice simply became rolled up into Christianity customs.

During medieval times, mystery plays were common. These told bible stories and special ones were performed around Christmas time where Adam and Eve Name Days were celebrated and incorporated into the play. Part of these rituals included a tree decorated with apples (to represent the forbidden fruit) and wafers (to represent the Eucharist). Afterwards the performance trees were placed in homes. Over time the the apples were replaced with red shiny balls (A-ha!)

Martin Luther is reputed to have placed lighted candles on an evergreen tree. Another practice that was to reappear in more modern times.
3. The ritual of Christmas trees was introduced into Britain at a Christmas party for children by a German-born royal. Who was this person?

Answer: Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of George III

In the House of Hanover, George III's German-born wife, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz introduced a decorated Christmas tree at a children's Christmas party in 1800. This became a tradition in the royal family and when Victoria married German-born Albert, this custom became more widespread. First wealthier upper and middle class families started the custom.

The spread of the custom to most other families was reported to have been caused by an 1858 newspaper article which stated every German family had a tree at Christmas.
4. True or False. The Christmas tree tradition was introduced into North America by Hessian soldiers stationed in Quebec in 1781 to guard the colony against American attack?

Answer: True

In Emmy E. Werner's "In Pursuit of Liberty: Coming of Age in the American Revolution" in 2006 she described the Christmas tree custom started in a 1781 when "General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel and his wife, the Baroness von Riedesel, hosted a Christmas party for his officers and their families their guests with a fir tree decorated with candles and fruits in place to commemorate the occasion".

How the custom spread to the US is not clear. It is apparent that Protestant German immigrants brought the custom with them but none of the claims to be the 'first' have been substantiated. However the custom was widely spread by the 1830s.
5. In Russia, the Christmas tree was banned during the October Revolution in 1917 but in 1935 it was revitalised in a different form. On what holiday was it used as a commemoration?

Answer: New Year

The "Christmas tree" was reintroduced in Russia in 1935 as the New Year Spruce. It was promoted in a totally secular context. The star at the top of the decorated tree for example, was not the Star of Bethlehem but the Red Star. Decorations focused around Russian technological advancement with rockets and aeroplanes being attached to the tree, although figurines from folk tales were also popular.

When the USSR fell apart, this tradition persisted. Even today, most Russians celebrate New Year far more heartily than Christmas.
6. Outdoors public Christmas trees have certainly raised the linking of such trees with Christmas. Where is the US National Christmas Tree located?

Answer: South Lawn of the White House

The first National Christmas Tree (USA) was lit by President Coolidge in 1923 and has been lit every year since by the President (or the Vice President in his absence). President Roosevelt made formal remarks during the lighting ceremony and this tradition has also been kept since then.

In 1954 the Pageant of Peace was was introduced to mark a month long of festivities. Nearby are Christmas trees representing the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the five external US territories - this is referred to as the Pathway of Peace.
7. True or False: There is an agreed world-wide time frame when a Christmas Tree should be set up and taken down?

Answer: False

Traditionally a Christmas tree was set up on Christmas Eve and taken down after the twelfth day of Christmas (January 5). If you went outside these times, this was considered bad luck.
Another time-frame is to set up the Christmas tree at the start of Advent season (Advent meaning coming). However not all religions can agree on what this date actually is. Most western religions agree, this the closest Sunday to St Andrews Day which is marked on November 30.
Some American and Canadian families wait until Remembrance Day (November 11) then set up the tree. Another popular date in the Roman Catholic Church is December 8 which is Immaculate Conception day.
Similarly there is no agreed date on when a tree should be dismantled.
8. Christmas trees are so popular there are actually Christmas tree farms that grow the requisite conifer trees just for Christmas. How long does it take for a Christmas tree to reach seven feet or 2.1 metres?

Answer: About 8-12 years

The most commonly used species are fir (Abies), which do not shed their needles. They also retain colour and and some scent.
In North America, most commonly used trees are Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Balsam fir (Abies balsamea). In northern Europe most commonly used are Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Silver fir (Abies alba).
It takes 3-4 years for the seed extracted from the cone, to be grown in a nursery. Then the seedling is planted on the farm and will take a minimum of five years to reach the preferred height of two metres.
9. Artificial trees are becoming more popular. Which of the following has *NOT* been made into Christmas trees?

Answer: Used car tyres

The first artificial trees were made in Germany in the 1880s from goose feathers dyed green. In 1930, the American Addis Brush company marketed a tree made from brush bristles. Aluminium trees were also available however most artificial Christmas trees are made from PVC, some of it recycled.

In the early 21st Century optical fibre Christmas trees became popular as they came with inbuilt decorations and were reusable.

In 2017, it was estimated that about 58% of US households had artificial Christmas trees, whilst in the UK it was as much as two-thirds.
10. There is no doubt that it was the Protestant church that advocated for the inclusion of Christmas trees as part of the religious component of Christmas. Perhaps the acceptance by the Roman Catholic Church was when Pope John Paul II introduced the Christmas tree in the Vatican. What year was this?

Answer: 1982

Pope Jean Paul II's Papacy began on 16 October 1978 and ended when he died on 2 April 2005. When he introduced the Christmas Tree in 1982, there was widespread criticism from other elements of the Catholic Church. However since then the Vatican Christmas Tree has become an integral part of the Holy See's Christmas celebrations. In his final Christmas message in 2004, the Pope said "The traditional "Christmas tree" is a sign of the value of life, as in winter the evergreen becomes a sign of undying life".

Perhaps then, the Christmas Tree had been finally recognised as a universal symbol of Christmas in the Christian world.
Source: Author 1nn1

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Related Quizzes
This quiz is part of series FT Advent Calendar 2018:

Did you miss the quizzes for the 2018 Advent Calendar? Well, don't worry. I saved them for you. :-) They are listed in the order they appeared on the calendar.

  1. Christmas Trees Around The World Average
  2. Santa Cities Easier
  3. Hangin' Around the Christmas Tree Average
  4. An Assemblage of Asses Easier
  5. 'Ware The Krampus! Average
  6. The Joy of Chocolate Average
  7. Let There Be Lights Tough
  8. Deck the Halls with Cardboard Santas! Average
  9. Candles in an Acrostic Very Easy
  10. Angels on My Shoulder Easier
  11. Maybe You're the Super Star! Average
  12. Best of the Best: Elite Soldiers Average

10/31/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us