History
Who is traditionally believed to bring gifts to children on Christmas Eve?
Santa Claus.
What is the name of Santa Claus's reindeer who leads the team with a red nose?
Rudolph
What is the most common gift given during Christmas?
Toys (though this can vary, toys are typically one of the most popular gifts).
What is the name of the traditional Christmas decoration often hung on doors and windows, made of evergreen branches and decorated with ribbons and ornaments?
A wreath.
What popular Christmas song begins with the lyrics, "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way"?
Jingle bells
What is the significance of December 25th as the date of Christmas?
December 25th was chosen by early Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, aligning with Roman festivals like Sol Invictus and Saturnalia, which marked the winter solstice.
What is the name of Santa Claus's workshop where he makes toys?
The North Pole.
Which famous department store is known for its annual Christmas gift guide and advertisements, often associated with "The Christmas List"?
Macy's.
Which country is credited with starting the tradition of decorating Christmas trees?
Germany
In the 1946 movie It’s a Wonderful Life, what is the name of the angel who helps George Bailey?
Clarence
Which 4th-century bishop is often associated with the tradition of gift-giving at Christmas?
St. Nicholas, originally named Nicholas of Myra, was a bishop known for his generosity, particularly toward children and the poor.
Santa Claus is based on a real historical figure. What was the name of the Dutch bishop who inspired the modern-day Santa Claus?
St. Nicholas of Myra.
In the 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas", what gift is described as being given to the children?
The children receive "a bundle of toys" from Santa Claus.
In which country do people celebrate "La Nochebuena," a Christmas Eve tradition known for its large family feast, followed by attending midnight Mass?
Spain
What is the name of the red-and-white striped Christmas candy that is shaped like a shepherd's crook?
Candy cane.
Two Part Question
In which country did the tradition of the Christmas tree originate.
What was the first documented use of a Christmas tree in the 16th century?
The Christmas tree tradition originated in Germany.
The first documented use of a decorated Christmas tree was in 1521 in Riga, Latvia (then part of the Holy Roman Empire), though German nobility adopted it earlier.
In what year did the modern image of Santa Claus, as a jolly man in a red suit, become widely popular, partly due to a famous Coca-Cola advertisement?
1931. The Coca-Cola company helped popularize the modern image of Santa in their Christmas advertising.
In 1843, what book, which became a popular Christmas gift, was first published and has since become a holiday classic?
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
In the Scandinavian tradition of Christmas, what is the name of the mythical creature believed to visit homes on Christmas Eve to deliver gifts or cause mischief?
The Yule Goat (or Yulebock in Sweden and Finland).
Which country started the tradition of the Christmas Advent calendar, where small doors are opened to reveal a picture or gift leading up to Christmas Day?
Germany.
What was the name of the first Christmas carol.
BonusWhat language was it originally written in?
The first known Christmas carol is "Jesus Refulsit Omnium" (Latin for "Jesus, Light of All the Nations"), written in the 4th century by St. Hilary of Poitiers.
The tradition of Santa's sleigh and reindeer is based on a poem. What is the name of the poem, and who wrote it?
The poem is "A Visit from St. Nicholas," commonly known as "The Night Before Christmas," written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1823.
The tradition of giving Christmas presents is linked to a specific event in Christian theology. What is the significance of the gifts given by the Three Wise Men to Jesus?
The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were symbolic offerings to the infant Jesus, representing kingship, divinity, and mortality, and their giving is thought to have influenced the tradition of gift-giving during Christmas.
In the United Kingdom, what is the name of the Christmas tradition where people pull on ends of a decorated paper tube (a "cracker") to reveal small gifts, jokes, and a paper crown?
The Christmas cracker.
In the Christian tradition, the Twelve Days of Christmas begins on December 25th and ends on January 5th. What is the name of the feast day celebrated on January 6th that marks the end of the Christmas season?
Epiphany