Yuletide Lore

This Christmas business: The commercialization of the season goes way back, as this 1843 specimen of the first commercial cards produced in England shows. Even before that, sending homemade Christmas cards was so popular that Washington's postmaster wanted a legal limit on the number each person could send. (Sold At Auction In England, Dec. 3, 2005, $16,000 -- Henry Aldridge & Son Via Ap)

Yes, we know it's the most wonderful time of the year. But what other Christmas facts do you have at your fingertips? Test your holiday IQ with this little quiz:

1 What do the 12 days of Christmas actually represent?

2 When was Christmas declared a federal holiday in the United States? a) 1835 b) 1856 c) 1870

d) 1888

3 Which was the first state to declare Christmas a legal holiday? a) Alabama b) Arkansas

c) Massachusetts d) New York

4 True or false: The abbreviation Xmas is irreligious.

5 True or false: The day after Christmas is known as Boxing Day because it's the day to get rid of all the boxes left over from Christmas presents.

6 Which of these songs is the best-selling Christmas single ever recorded? a) "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" b) "Silent Night" c) "White Christmas" d) "The Christmas Song"

7 Which president had the first White House Christmas tree? a) Millard Fillmore b) Franklin Pierce c) Abraham Lincoln d) Grover Cleveland

8 The first night of Hanukkah coincides with Christmas Day this year. When was the last time this happened? a) 1959 b) 1972 c) 1986 d) 1999

9 Santa Claus is ubiquitous in the United States, but he's not a universal Christmas gift-bringer. Name the figures that bring presents to children in these three countries: Spain, Italy and France.

10 Name Santa's eight reindeer.

Answers to Christmas Quiz on Page 3:

1 The length of time it took the wise men to reach Jesus after his birth; 2 c, 1870; 3 a. Alabama made it a legal holiday in 1836; 4 False. This was originally an ecclesiastical abbreviation, derived from the Greek letter "chi," the first letter in the word Christ, used in tables and charts in the early days of printing; 5 False. The name comes from church alms-boxes, the money from which was distributed to the poor after Christmas; 6 c. Bing Crosby's 1942 recording of "White Christmas" is still the best-selling Christmas single of all time; 7 b. Franklin Pierce, in 1856; 8 a,1959. The next time, in case you're curious, will be 2024; 9 Spain: The Three Kings. Italy: La Befana, a kindly witch. France: Pre Noel (or Father Christmas); 10 Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner (or Donder) and Blitzen!