An 1848 engraving of which royal family around a Christmas tree helped make trees fashionable in Britain and America?

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

Christmas Trivia Quiz: 60 Questions with Answers

All 60 Christmas trivia questions and answers

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Saint Nicholas, the inspiration for Santa Claus, was a bishop in which ancient city?
Myra — Nicholas was a fourth-century bishop of Myra, a town in what is now southern Turkey. He became known for generosity, especially toward children and the poor.
On which date is the feast of Saint Nicholas traditionally celebrated?
December 6 — Saint Nicholas Day falls on December 6. In many European countries children still receive small gifts or treats on that day.
The name "Santa Claus" grew out of which Dutch name for Saint Nicholas?
Sinterklaas — Dutch settlers in New York brought the figure of Sinterklaas, and English speakers gradually turned the name into "Santa Claus."
The poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" ("'Twas the Night Before Christmas") first appeared in print in which year?
1823 — It was first printed anonymously in the Troy Sentinel, a New York newspaper, on December 23, 1823. It is traditionally credited to Clement Clarke Moore.
In which newspaper was "A Visit from St. Nicholas" first published?
The Troy Sentinel — The poem ran without an author's name in the Troy Sentinel of Troy, New York, in December 1823, then spread through reprints across the country.
According to "A Visit from St. Nicholas," how many reindeer pull St. Nick's sleigh?
Eight — The poem names eight "tiny reindeer." Rudolph, the ninth, was invented more than a century later.
In the 1823 printing of the poem, the last two reindeer were named "Dunder" and "Blixem." What do those Dutch words mean?
Thunder and lightning — Dunder and Blixem came from Dutch words for thunder and lightning. Later printings changed them, and the 1844 version settled on Donder and Blitzen.
Which cartoonist drew a famous series of Santa Claus illustrations for Harper's Weekly beginning in the 1860s?
Thomas Nast — Thomas Nast drew Santa for Harper's Weekly for decades, and his round, bearded, fur-trimmed figure helped shape the American image of Santa.
Thomas Nast's first Harper's Weekly Santa, published in January 1863, showed Santa visiting whom?
Union soldiers in camp — The cover "Santa Claus in Camp" showed Santa, dressed in stars and stripes, handing out gifts to Union troops during the Civil War.
Where does American tradition say Santa Claus lives?
The North Pole — In American stories Santa lives and runs his toy workshop at the North Pole with his elves and reindeer.
The custom of decorating an evergreen Christmas tree is most closely tied to which country's traditions?
Germany — Decorated Christmas trees became popular in German-speaking lands centuries ago, and German immigrants helped carry the custom to Britain and America.
An 1848 engraving of which royal family around a Christmas tree helped make trees fashionable in Britain and America?
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert — The Illustrated London News printed the scene at Windsor Castle in 1848. Prince Albert was German-born, and the image was later adapted for American readers.
Which popular American magazine reprinted the royal Christmas tree picture in 1850, with the royal details removed?
Godey's Lady's Book — Godey's Lady's Book ran an adapted version in December 1850, dropping the queen's tiara and the prince's mustache so it looked like an ordinary family.
Who displayed the first known electrically lit Christmas tree in 1882?
Edward H. Johnson — Edward H. Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, lit a tree in his New York home with 80 hand-wired red, white and blue bulbs.
What is the German word for a fir tree, famous from a well-known Christmas song?
Tannenbaum — "O Tannenbaum" is a German carol about the evergreen fir, sung in English as "O Christmas Tree."
Since 1947, which country has sent a Christmas tree to London's Trafalgar Square each year?
Norway — The city of Oslo sends the tree as thanks for Britain's support of Norway during World War II.
In which year did President Ulysses S. Grant sign the law that made Christmas a federal holiday?
1870 — Grant signed the act on June 28, 1870. It first applied to federal workers in Washington, D.C., alongside New Year's Day and the Fourth of July.
Which American colony passed a law in 1659 that fined people for celebrating Christmas?
Massachusetts Bay — Puritan leaders in the Massachusetts Bay Colony fined anyone caught observing Christmas five shillings. The law was repealed in 1681.
In 1912, which U.S. official allowed postal workers and the public to answer children's letters to Santa?
The Postmaster General — Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized the program that grew into the Postal Service's Operation Santa.
Which town in southern Indiana receives thousands of letters to Santa every year because of its name?
Santa Claus — Santa Claus, Indiana, gets letters from children every December, and local volunteers help answer them.
Who wrote the 1897 newspaper editorial answering a girl named Virginia with "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus"?
Francis P. Church — Francis Pharcellus Church wrote the reply for The Sun of New York after 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote to ask whether Santa was real.
In which country did the first commercial Christmas card appear, in 1843?
England — Sir Henry Cole commissioned the card in London, and artist John Callcott Horsley drew a family toasting the holiday.
Which printer is often called "the father of the American Christmas card"?
Louis Prang — Louis Prang, a German-born lithographer near Boston, began selling Christmas cards in the 1870s and made colorful cards affordable for many Americans.
Who put up the very first Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center site in 1931?
Construction workers — During the Great Depression, workers building the complex chipped in for a small tree and decorated it with homemade garlands on Christmas Eve 1931.
In which year was the first official Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting held?
1933 — After the workers' tree in 1931, the first official tree and lighting ceremony took place in 1933.
Which president lit the first National Christmas Tree in 1923?
Calvin Coolidge — On Christmas Eve 1923, Calvin Coolidge walked to the Ellipse near the White House and pressed a button to light a tall balsam fir.
Which military command tracks Santa's flight every Christmas Eve?
NORAD — NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, runs a Santa-tracking program with phone lines, a website and volunteers.
In what year did the Santa-tracking tradition now run by NORAD begin?
1955 — It began in December 1955 at the Continental Air Defense Command in Colorado Springs, NORAD's predecessor.
What started the Santa-tracking tradition in 1955?
A misprinted phone number in a store ad — A department store ad invited children to call Santa, but the number was one digit off and reached the air defense command. Officers played along and gave kids Santa's location.
In which country was "Silent Night" first performed, in 1818?
Austria — It was first sung on Christmas Eve 1818 at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, a village near Salzburg in Austria.
Which instrument accompanied the first performance of "Silent Night" in 1818?
Guitar — Composer Franz Xaver Gruber and lyricist Joseph Mohr sang it with guitar accompaniment at the Oberndorf church.
Who wrote the words to "Silent Night"?
Joseph Mohr — Joseph Mohr, a young priest, wrote the German poem "Stille Nacht," and Franz Xaver Gruber set it to music.
"Jingle Bells" was first published in 1857 under what title?
One Horse Open Sleigh — James Lord Pierpont published the song as "One Horse Open Sleigh." It later became known by its catchy chorus.
Which songwriter wrote "White Christmas"?
Irving Berlin — Irving Berlin wrote "White Christmas," which Bing Crosby introduced in the 1942 film "Holiday Inn."
In which film did Bing Crosby first sing "White Christmas"?
Holiday Inn — The song debuted in "Holiday Inn" (1942). The movie titled "White Christmas" came later, in 1954.
Which 1944 film introduced the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"?
Meet Me in St. Louis — Judy Garland sang it in "Meet Me in St. Louis," released in 1944.
Who wrote and first recorded the bilingual holiday hit "Feliz Navidad" in 1970?
Jose Feliciano — Puerto Rican singer and guitarist Jose Feliciano wrote and recorded "Feliz Navidad" in 1970.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first appeared in 1939 in a free booklet from which retailer?
Montgomery Ward — Copywriter Robert L. May created Rudolph for a Montgomery Ward holiday booklet given to shoppers' children.
Who wrote the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," turning the 1939 story into a 1949 hit?
Johnny Marks — Johnny Marks, Robert L. May's brother-in-law, wrote the song. Gene Autry's 1949 recording made it a huge hit.
The poinsettia plant is native to which country?
Mexico — Poinsettias grow wild in Mexico, where the plant is called "flor de Nochebuena," the Christmas Eve flower.
The poinsettia is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, who was the first U.S. minister to which country?
Mexico — Poinsett, an amateur botanist, saw the plant in Mexico in the 1820s and sent cuttings home to South Carolina.
In Mexico, the nine nights of Las Posadas re-enact what?
Mary and Joseph searching for shelter — From December 16 to 24, neighbors walk in procession and ask for "posada," or lodging, recalling Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay.
In Italian tradition, which kindly old woman brings gifts to children on the eve of Epiphany?
La Befana — La Befana flies on a broomstick on the night of January 5, leaving treats for good children and coal for naughty ones.
How many mischievous Yule Lads visit children in Icelandic tradition?
13 — Iceland's 13 Yule Lads arrive one by one in the nights before Christmas, each with his own prank, and children leave a shoe on the windowsill for small gifts.
In Sweden, which saint's day on December 13 features girls in white with candles on their heads?
Saint Lucia — Saint Lucia Day is celebrated with processions led by a girl wearing a crown of candles, along with saffron buns.
Since 1966, the Swedish town of Gavle has built a giant Christmas figure out of straw. What animal is it?
A goat — The Gavle Goat is a huge version of the traditional Swedish Yule goat. It has famously been burned or damaged in many years.
In Australia, Christmas falls during which season?
Summer — Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, so December is summer, and many families celebrate with beach trips and barbecues.
Many Orthodox churches that follow the Julian calendar celebrate Christmas on which date?
January 7 — The Julian calendar currently runs 13 days behind the Gregorian one, so its December 25 lands on January 7.
Charles Dickens published "A Christmas Carol" in which year?
1843 — The novella came out in December 1843 and quickly became a holiday classic.
In "A Christmas Carol," what is the name of Bob Cratchit's youngest son?
Tiny Tim — Tiny Tim, who walks with a crutch, is famous for saying "God bless us, every one!"
In "A Christmas Carol," whose ghost visits Scrooge first, before the three spirits?
Jacob Marley — The ghost of Jacob Marley, Scrooge's former business partner, appears in chains and warns that three spirits will come.
In which year was the film "It's a Wonderful Life" released?
1946 — Frank Capra's film starring James Stewart as George Bailey was released in 1946 and later became a holiday TV staple.
The 1947 film "Miracle on 34th Street" opens at which famous New York event?
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade — The story begins when a man named Kris Kringle steps in as Santa for the Thanksgiving parade and is hired by the store.
Where did Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker" premiere in 1892?
St. Petersburg — It premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg in December 1892, to mixed reviews at first.
Which company staged the first complete American production of "The Nutcracker," in 1944?
San Francisco Ballet — San Francisco Ballet, under choreographer Willam Christensen, performed the full ballet on Christmas Eve 1944.
Which picture book about a magical train ride to the North Pole won the Caldecott Medal in 1986?
The Polar Express — Chris Van Allsburg's "The Polar Express," published in 1985, won the Caldecott Medal the following year.
In the word "Xmas," what does the "X" stand for?
The Greek letter chi — X is the Greek letter chi, the first letter of "Christos," the Greek word for Christ. The abbreviation has been used for centuries.
If you add up every gift in "The Twelve Days of Christmas," counting repeats each day, how many gifts are there?
364 — Each day repeats all earlier gifts, so the total is 1 + 3 + 6 + ... + 78, which adds up to 364, nearly one gift for every day of the year.
What is the oldest surviving record of Christ's birth being marked on December 25?
A Roman calendar from 354 AD — The Chronograph of 354, a Roman almanac, lists the birth of Christ on December 25. Its list draws on a source dated to about 336 AD.
Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean got its name because a ship captain sailed past it on what day in 1643?
Christmas Day — Captain William Mynors of the East India Company named the island after passing it on December 25, 1643.

Christmas trivia quiz

All 60 Christmas trivia questions and answers

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