Music
What dreamy brunette sings Mara's favorite version of "Noel?"
Josh Groban! <3 <3 <3
What animated 2004 film is about a train that carries kids to the North Pole on Christmas Eve?
For an additional FIVE HUNDRED points, who voiced the Conductor?
The Polar Express!
Tom Hanks! Who else?
What country is the Poinsettia, with its red and green foliage, native to?
Mexico! It's not just food they're good for.
According to the folklore of Austria and other countries, what horned figure punishes naughty children at Christmastime?
Krampus. Not to be confused with Crampus, the menstrual demon.
What Mattel toy line has released a holioday themed collectible every year since 1988?
Barbie! So lux.
What Christmas-themed ballet premiered in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 1892?
The Nutcracker!
Funny story - the first time I can remember seeing a bulge was seeing the Nutcracker with my Girl Scout troop at 6 years of age. Needless to say that's all I've thought about since.
In “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” who played Scrooge? Hint: It wasn’t a muppet.
Michael Caine!
For Jesse: AKA Alfred from the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy.
For Ashley: AKA Victor Mellings in Miss Congeniality.
Who created the first electric light Christmas display?
Thomas Edison! That's fitting.
What beverage company has been using Santa Claus in its advertising since 1931?
Coca-Cola!
In what European country are children given gifts by St. Basil on January 1st instead of Santa on December 25th?
Greece! Mmmmm cinnamon.
For Joel: What three words are used to describe the Grinch in his song, "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch?"
stink.
Stank.
STUNK.
In the 1964 classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” what was the name of Rudolph’s faithful elf companion?
Hermey! The stylish blonde dentist.
What was tinsel originally made of? Like, before we started selling bags of plastic strips.
Silver! How expensive. Geez.
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?
Candy Canes! Slurp.
For Ashley: What was the most popular selling holiday toy from 1995?
POGS! I honestly don't remember them but I guess they were dank.
What Christmas song was the first ever song broadcast from space?
For a bonus 100 points - when was it broadcast?
Jingle Bells!
1965.
What INCREDIBLE film features leading stars Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby falling in love at a swanky, rustic Vermont hotel?
White Christmas! Again.
What popular holiday song was written during the Cuban missile crisis and was a plea for peace?
Do You Hear What I Hear? How dismal.
Before becoming tied up with Christmas, what was "Yule?"
A pagan midwinter festival.
It was celebrated by Germanic peoples and was connected to Norse mythology. With Odin being the Yule Father who led the Wild Hunt across the sky. Yuletide is about two months long and falls roughly mid-November to early January. In the middle of Yuletide is Yule.
Per a recent holiday fad, what “spy” hides around the house, reporting back to Santa on who has been naughty and nice?
Elf on the Shelf! Personally I think it's creepy af.
What Bing Crosby single is the best-selling Christmas song of all time?
White Christmas! *swoon*
What Christmas film sequel features a cameo of our Cheeto in Chief, Donald tRump?
Home Alone 2. He's in the lobby of the Plaza hotel and gives Kevin directions to the lobby. Jerk doesn't even ask where the kid's parents were. Irresponsible even back then.
In what country did the custom of putting up a Christmas tree originate?
Germany! Gross.
What figure from English folklore came to be associated with Santa Claus?
Father Christmas! Don't call him Daddy, that's gross.
Name the animatronic cassette-playing bear toy that every kid wanted for Christmas in the mid 80s.
Teddy Ruxpin!