Christmas Past
Where was Jesus born according to Christians?
Bethlehem
In what country do they open Christmas presents on Christmas Day?
The UK (and most of the USA).
On the 5th January, LA BEFANA is celerebrated by which country?
Italian Christmases are celebrated with a wine-drinking witch – and no, we don’t mean that alcoholic auntie from the dodgy side of the family. Twelve days after Santa’s visit, on the eve of the Epiphany (January 5), families across Italy leave out a glass of vino and a plate of sausages for ‘La Befana’, who pops down the chimney on her broomstick. According to folklore, the old lady knocked back an invitation from the Three Wise Men to witness the birth of Christ, and was so devastated about missing it, she spends every Christmas time gliding around the country searching for Baby Jesus (though we're not sure why she thinks she'll find him in Italy), and doling out presents to good kids and coal to naughty ones.
Which film’s main character is called Buddy?
Elf
Who sang ‘Last Christmas’?
Wham!
How many wise men or Kings visited Jesus in the stable?
Three
What day do they celebrate Christmas on in Russia?
January 7th
Most Christmas trees have beautiful lights and garlands on them but which country uses spider webs as their festive decorating?
The Ukrainians take a different approach to Christmas decorations, swapping fairy lights for spider webs. The legend of the Christmas spider explains that a poor widow and her kids cultivated a Christmas tree from a pine cone but couldn’t afford any decorations… then, on Chrissy morning, they woke up to see their tree blanketed in cobwebs, which sunlight then transformed into gold and silver. Nowadays, trees across Ukraine are decorated with little spider ornaments called ‘pavuchky’ and fake spider webs, which is said to be the origin of the sparkly tinsel that shimmers at Christmastime all around the world.
How many roles does Tom Hanks play in Polar Express?
Six
Who recorded the original – and still the most famous – version of ‘White Christmas’ in 1942?
Bing Crosby
In the song, The Twelve Days Of Christmas, how many gold rings were there?
5 - Five gold rings
When do they give gifts for Christmas in Canada?
Christmas Eve
In what country do they have 13 Yule Lads or trolls at Christmas?
Icelandic kids don’t just get one Santa Claus, they get 13 mischievous trolls roaming the country in the fortnight before Christmas. Like Snow White’s seven dwarves, each of the 13 ‘jólasveinar’ (Yule Lads) has his own personality – including Doorway-Sniffer, Spoon-Licker, Sausage-Swiper, Candle-Stealer, Curd-Gobbler, and the ominously named Window-Peeper. Each takes turns visiting children who leave shoes in their bedroom window, dropping off pressies for the good kids and rotting potatoes for the bad ones.
Which 1982 winter animated film is only 27 minutes long?
The Snowman
Which Chris Rea song includes the lyrics ‘Top to toe in tailbacks, oh I got red lights all around?
Driving Home for Christmas
In the Victorian times, it was traditional to gift unmarried women with soured milk on Christmas Eve.
True or False
False
How many countries celebrate Christmas?
160
140
230
160
In what country do they eat Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) as their traditional Christmas meal?
Japan - Introducing the greatest Christmas marketing triumph since Coca-Cola popularised the fat, jolly, red-suited image of Santa Claus we all know and love. Christmas isn’t huge in Japan but a ridiculously successful KFC ad campaign during the 1970s established the tradition of families tucking in to buckets of fried chicken on December 25. In fact, holiday-themed dirty bird has become so popular around Japan that restaurant reservations and specially packaged delivery orders are placed months in advance.
In ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, who mentions that they never have enough socks, because people always buy them books for Christmas?
Professor Dumbledore
What’s the second line of “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas”?
"Just like the ones I use to know"
Which real-life person was Santa Claus based on?
The Christian bishop St. Nicholas
What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is the day after Christmas day, 26th December.
Where do they celebrate Krampusnacht on December 5th?
Many towns in Austria (and neighbouring countries), especially the alpine villages around Salzburg and Tyrol, celebrate Krampusnacht on December 5th, when dozens of men dressed as the half-goat demon parade through the streets brandishing sticks and terrorising children.
Complete this line in ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’: “Blast this Christmas music …”?
...it's joyful and triumphant!
Only two bands have had three consecutive number ones in the UK. Who are they?
The Beatles and The Spice Girls