Question: What popular holiday activity tests people’s knowledge of Christmas history and customs?
Answer: Christmas trivia, of course!
Of all the holiday themed party games out there, trivia games are perhaps the best for filling people up with the Christmas spirit. That’s because they challenge us to recall details about all those Christmas songs, movies, and traditions that hold fond places in our hearts.
So, if you’re planning to incorporate trivia into your holiday gathering, kudos to you. You can surely come up with many of your own questions by browsing Wikipedia for a few hours, but why bother when someone else has already done the work for you? Here’s a list of Christmas trivia questions and answers you can use, organized by difficultly.
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Printable Questions and Answers
Before we dive in, here are the Christmas trivia questions in printable format. The answers are on a separate sheet, making these convenient to use at a holiday gathering.
Easy
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Q: In the song “Frosty the Snowman,” what made Frosty come to life?A: An old silk hat
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Q: What Christmas decoration was originally made from strands of silver?A: Tinsel
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Q: Who played George Bailey in the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life?”A: Jimmy Stewart
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Q: Per a recent holiday fad, what “spy” hides around the house, reporting back to Santa on who has been naughty and nice?A: The Elf on the Shelf
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Q: What Christmas beverage is also known as “milk punch?”A: Eggnog
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Q: One of Santa’s reindeer shares a name with a famous symbol of Valentine’s Day. Which reindeer is that?A: Cupid
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Q: What Christmas-themed ballet premiered in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 1892?A: The Nutcracker
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Q: In 1981, Bob and Doug McKenzie released their own version of a classic Christmas song. Which song is that?A: The Twelve Days of Christmas
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Q: What animated 2004 film is about a train that carries kids to the North Pole on Christmas Eve?A: The Polar Express
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Q: What much-reviled Christmas edible is known for its long shelf life?A: Fruitcake
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Q: What’s the name of the family featured in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?A: The Griswolds
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Q: What phrase made popular in the book “A Christmas Carol” expresses annoyance with cheery holiday celebrations?A: Bah humbug!
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Q: What cartoon character’s name is used to indicate a small, thin, or just plain undesirable Christmas tree?A: Charlie Brown
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Q: What song was initially condemned by the Roman Catholic Church for allegedly portraying an adulterous affair?A: “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”
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Q: What beloved Christmas song was recorded by Puerto Rican singer-songwriter José Feliciano in 1970?A: Feliz Navidad
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Q: What’s the name of Rudolph’s girlfriend in the “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” television special?A: Clarice
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Q: What science fiction franchise had its own holiday television special in 1978?A: Star Wars
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Q: In “A Christmas Story,” what happens to Ralphie’s friend as a result of a “triple-dog dare” from another classmate?A: He gets his tongue stuck to a flagpole.
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Q: In the United States, over 2 billion of these are sent each year at Christmastime.A: Christmas cards
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Q: What’s the German name for the song known in English as “O Christmas Tree?”A: “O Tannenbaum”
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Q: What do children typically get in their stockings if they’re on the Naughty List?A: A lump of coal
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Q: The charity Toys for Tots is run by the reserve force of what branch of the U.S. military?A: The Marines
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Q: The first artificial Christmas tree was made in the 19th century using the feathers of what bird?A: Goose
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Q: In North America, wild reindeer are referred to as what?A: Caribou
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Q: What holiday is celebrated the day after Christmas in the UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries?A: Boxing Day
Not So Easy
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Q: In Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” what was Mr. Scrooge’s first name?A: Ebenezer
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Q: What Bing Crosby song is the best-selling single ever?A: White Christmas
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Q: In the early 1800s, the first gingerbread houses were reportedly inspired by what famous fairy tale?A: Hansel and Gretel
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Q: “Miracle on 34th Street” centers on what real-life department store?A: Macy’s
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Q: In the song “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” what “incriminating” evidence was found on Grandma’s back?A: Claus marks
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Q: How many reindeer are featured in the poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas?”A: Eight (no Rudolph!)
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Q: What traditional Christmas decoration is actually a parasitic plant?A: Mistletoe
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Q: In “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” who played Scrooge? Hint: It wasn’t a muppet.A: Michael Caine
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Q: What beverage company has been using Santa Claus in its advertising since 1931?A: Coca-Cola
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Q: According to legend, what holiday goodies were shaped to resemble a shepherd’s staff, as a way to remind children of the shepherds who visited baby Jesus?A: Candy canes
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Q: What 2003 film follows a hard-living mall Santa?A: “Bad Santa”
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Q: In the Twelve Days of Christmas, what are there eleven of?A: Pipers piping
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Q: Which classic Christmas carol contains the lyric “Strike the harp and join the chorus?”A: “Deck the Halls”
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Q: In “The Chipmunk Song,” what do the chipmunks want for Christmas besides a plane that loops the loop?A: A hula hoop
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Q: Which of Santa’s reindeer was the subject of a 1989 movie starring Sam Elliot?A: Prancer
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Q: Whose recording of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” topped the U.S. charts in 1949?A: Gene Autry
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Q: In the song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” what type of pudding is called for?A: Figgy pudding
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Q: “Mele Kalikimaka” means “Merry Christmas” in what language?A: Hawaiian
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Q: In the 1966 television special “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” what monster movie legend did the voice for the Grinch?A: Boris Karloff
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Q: In the song “Santa Baby,” the singer asks for a deed to what?A: A platinum mine
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Q: A booklet printed by Montgomery Ward featured the first appearance of what beloved Christmas character?A: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
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Q: The celebrated “Christmas Truce” temporarily halted fighting during what war?A: World War I
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Q: In 1996, what toy with origins in Sesame Street was a sensation at Christmastime?A: Tickle Me Elmo
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Q: True or False: Studies show that the average American gains three pounds over the holidays.A: False. It’s closer to one pound.
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Q: What word for Christmas or a Christmas carol was borrowed from French?A: Noel
Hard
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Q: In the movie “A Christmas Story,” what was the name of the next door neighbors whose dogs ate the Christmas turkey?A: The Bumpuses
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Q: What figure from English folklore came to be associated with Santa Claus?A: Father Christmas
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Q: Name the animatronic cassette-playing bear toy that every kid wanted for Christmas in the mid 80s.A: Teddy Ruxpin
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Q: In the 1964 classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” what was the name of Rudolph’s faithful elf companion?A: Hermey
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Q: According to the folklore of Austria and other countries, what horned figure punishes naughty children at Christmastime?A: Krampus
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Q: In the TV special “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” what three words best describe the Grinch?A: Stink, stank, stunk
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Q: What well-known Christmas carol became the first song ever broadcast from space in 1965?A: “Jingle Bells”
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Q: In what modern-day country was Saint Nicholas born?A: Turkey
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Q: What Christmas carol does the Peanuts gang sing at the end of “A Charlie Brown Christmas?”A: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
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Q: “Twas the Night Before Christmas” was originally published under what name?A: “A Visit from St. Nicholas”
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Q: What holiday movie sequel includes a cameo by Donald Trump?A: “Home Alone 2”
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Q: What famous Christian reformer is credited with being the first person to put lights on a Christmas tree?A: Martin Luther
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Q: According to the Buddy the Elf, what are the four main food groups?A: Candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup
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Q: What unlikely duo recorded the song “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” in 1977?A: Bing Crosby and David Bowie
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Q: What environmentalist U.S. president banned Christmas trees at the White House?A: President Theodore Roosevelt
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Q: Who recorded the melancholy holiday hit “Hard Candy Christmas” in 1982?A: Dolly Parton
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Q: In “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” what does Jack Skellington mistakenly call Old Saint Nick?A: Sandy Claws
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Q: What’s the name of the hot spiced cider that’s a yuletide tradition for many?A: Wassail
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Q: What brand of scooter was a must-have Christmas gift for children in 2000?A: Razor
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Q: In what country do people celebrate Christmas by eating chicken from KFC?A: Japan
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Q: The song “Jingle Bells” was originally written to celebrate what holiday?A: Thanksgiving
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Q: In one oddball tradition, an ornament shaped like what food item is hidden on the Christmas tree?A: A pickle
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Q: What word for the Christmas season derives from an ancient Germanic pagan holiday?A: Yuletide (or Yule)
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Q: What 1964 science fiction film featuring Old Saint Nick is widely regarded as one of the worst movies ever made?A: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
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Q: According to legend, the tradition of hanging stockings dates back to Saint Nicholas. What were the first stocking stuffers? Hint: They weren’t toys.A: Gold coins
If you answered at least 40 of these correctly, congratulations – you made the Nice List. If not… well, Merry Christmas anyways!
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Roberta Jeeves is author of the book White Elephant Gift Exchange: Rules, Themes, and Ideas for Hosting a Perfect Holiday Gift Swap. You can buy or borrow it at Amazon.com.
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