General
During World War II, The United States Playing Card Company joined forces with American and British intelligence agencies to create a very special deck of cards. They distributed them as Christmas gifts. What was so special about them?
They distributed them as Christmas gifts, but they also helped Allied prisoners of war escape from German POW camps. When wet, individual cards peeled apart to reveal maps of escape routes. Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction.
What is the name of the period between the holidays of Christmas and Epiphany (Богоявлення)?
1. Twelfth Night
2. Elf's Night
3. Christmas period
Twelfth Night
Why is the song ‘Jingle Bells’ so important?
A) It’s played in hospitals in America for the birth of any child on December 25th
B) It’s the highest grossing song of all time
C) It was Jesus’ favourite song
D) It was the first song ever played in space
It was the first song ever played in space
Where does Spanish Santa Claus leave gifts?
1. In boots
2. Under the tree
3. On the balcony
On the balcony
Who did the idea of St. Clause come from?
St. Nicholas
In the fourth century, the Christian bishop gave away his large inheritance to the poor and rescued women from servitude. In Dutch, his name is Sinter Klaas, which later morphed into Santa Claus in English.
What is an alternative way of writing "Christmas"?
"Xmas"
The French word “Noel” is often used around Christmas, but what was its original meaning in Latin?
"Birthday"
Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
...... ....... .......
Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!
What do naughty kids get at Christmas?
Lump of Coal
In ancient German and Dutch folklore, Saint Nicholas, also known as Sinterklaas, would leave gifts in shoes and socks left out for him by children.
By the 16th century, the beast-like Krampus was created as a counterpart to St. Nick to punish naughty girls and boys - sometimes by leaving coal in their stockings!
How did the tradition of hanging stockings start?
1. people decided that Santa must put presents into the stockings.
2. due to a legend, it happened by accident and the tradition stuck.
3. people used to hang all their clothes on a fireplace to keep them warm, and socks appeared to be hollow enough to keep sth in them.
Legend has it, we hang stockings by the chimney with care thanks to a poor man who didn't have enough money for his three daughters' dowries. Generous old St. Nick dropped a bag of gold down their chimney one night after the girls had hung their freshly-washed stockings there to dry. That's where the gold ended up, and the tradition stuck.
What fruit is traditionally put inside a Christmas stocking?
A. Pomegranate
B. Cranberries
C. Oranges
D. Apples
Some believe the festive tradition of putting oranges or clementine in Christmas stockings started in America during the Great Depression in the 1930s when families struggled to afford gifts so left the small piece of fruit in their children's stocking instead.
What does it mean if a single man finds a button in a pudding?
Bachelorhood
How many ghosts visit Scrooge?
3: The Ghost of the Past, the Present and the Future
According to tradition, when should Europeans and Americans have their Christmas decorations down by?
January 5th
Which country donates the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square?
Norway – the city of Oslo, Norway, donates the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree to the people of Britain each year since 1947.
What is customary to do in Spain at midnight on New Year's Eve?
-Shout the words "Hooray!"
-Eat 12 grapes
-Write wishes on paper and burn them
Eat 12 grapes
How many festive bells do the Japanese hear on New Year's Eve?
1. 108
2. 12
3. 71
108
Guess the whole title of the movie:
The _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ before Christmas
Nightmare
Children leave this out for Santa at night in England
Mince Pie
There are the two most popular Christmas colors besides red and green. What are they?
Silver and Gold
After Joseph, Mary and Jesus left Bethlehem, they went to which country?
Egypt
How much do Americans spend on Christmas lights every year?
$6 billion
What is the most-recorded Christmas carol in history?
"Silent Night" earns that title. It's had more than 733 different versions copyrighted since 1978.
Is Black Friday the busiest shopping day?
The most hectic days of the year are actually the Friday and Saturday before Christmas.
What does The Christmas wreath symbolize?
It represents the crown of thorns Jesus wore at his crucifixion and the red berries stand for the blood he shed.