Christmas Movies/Books
Christmas Food/Bev
Christmas Music
Christmas Traditions
Christmas Characters
100
What animated 2004 film is about a train that carries kids to the North Pole on Christmas Eve?
What is The Polar Express
The Polar Express is a 2004 American computer-animated Christmas musical fantasy film co-written and directed by Robert Zemeckis, based on the 1985 children's book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, who also served as one of the executive producers.
100
What Christmas beverage is also known as “milk punch?
What is Eggnog
Eggnog, historically also known as a milk punch or an egg milk punch when alcoholic beverages are added, is a rich, chilled, sweetened, dairy-based beverage. It is traditionally made with milk, cream, sugar, whipped egg whites, and egg yolks.
100
In the song “Frosty the Snowman,” what made Frosty come to life?
What is An old silk hat
He was made of snow, but the children know he came to life one day.
There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found,
For when they placed it on his head, he began to dance around!
100
What happens if you stand under mistletoe with someone?
What is You have to share a kiss
The origins of kissing under the mistletoe, a plant that often bears white berries, are often traced to a tale in Norse mythology about the god Baldur. In the story, Baldur’s mother Frigg casts a powerful magic to make sure that no plant grown on earth could be used as a weapon against her son. The one plant the spell does not reach is the mistletoe, as it does not grow out of the earth, but out of a tree’s branches. The scheming Loki, upon learning this, makes a spear out of mistletoe — the spear that would eventually kill Baldur.
100
Every elf has this ornament on the tip of their shoes. Which ornament are we talking about?
What is Bells
Christmas elf is a diminutive elf that lives with Santa Claus at the North Pole and acts as his helper. Christmas elves are usually depicted as green- or red-clad, with large, pointy ears and wearing pointy hats.
Santa's elves are often said to make the toys in Santa's workshop and take care of his reindeer, among other tasks.
200
In Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” what was Mr. Scrooge’s first name?
What is Ebenezer
Ebenezer Scrooge is the protagonist of Charles Dickens' 1843 novel A Christmas Carol. At the beginning of the novel, Scrooge is a cold-hearted miser who despises Christmas. The tale of his redemption by three spirits has become a defining tale of the Christmas holiday in the English-speaking world.
200
In the early 1800s, the first gingerbread houses were reportedly inspired by what famous fairy tale?
What is Hansel and Gretel
Hansel and Gretel are a brother and sister abandoned in a forest, where they fall into the hands of a witch who lives in a house made of gingerbread, cake, and pastries. The cannibalistic witch intends to fatten the children before eventually eating them, but Gretel outwits the witch and kills her. The two children then escape with their lives and return home with the witch's treasure.
200
In 1981, Bob and Doug McKenzie released their own version of a classic Christmas song. Which song is that?
What is The Twelve Days of Christmas.
The Great White North is a Canadian comedy album by the fictional television characters Bob and Doug McKenzie released in 1981 by Anthem Records.
200
Which country was the first to use the tradition of Christmas trees?
What is Germany
The German religious reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546) is often credited with starting the Christmas tree custom, but the first appearance of a Tannenbaum was recorded in Germany many years after Luther’s death. It was in 1605 in Strasbourg in Alsace, then in Germany, that a chronicler wrote (in old German): “Auff Weihenachten richtett man Dahnnenbäum zu Strasburg in den Stuben auff…” (“At Christmas they set up Christmas trees in Strasbourg in their rooms…”).
200
How does Santa Claus go back up the chimney to continue his journey of delivering gifts?
What is He places his finger on the side of his nose, gives a smile and a nod
300
“Miracle on 34th Street” centers on what real-life department store?
What is Macy’s.
Miracle on 34th Street was shot on location in New York City, with the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade sequences filmed live while the 1946 parade was happening.
300
What beverage company has been using Santa Claus in its advertising since 1931?
What is Coca-Cola
The Santa Claus we all know and love — that big, jolly man in the red suit with a white beard — didn’t always look that way. In fact, many people are surprised to learn that prior to 1931, Santa was depicted as everything from a tall gaunt man to a spooky-looking elf. He has donned a bishop's robe and a Norse huntsman's animal skin.
300
What well-known Christmas carol became the first song ever broadcast from space in 1965?
What is Jingle Bells
“Jingle Bells” became the first song played in space when, on 16 December 1965, it was broadcast during NASA's Gemini 6A space flight. The song, written by James Lord Pierpont (USA) in 1857, was originally titled “One-Horse Open Sleigh”
300
Which country has a tradition of a witch dropping gifts for children through the chimney at Christmas?
What is Italy
In Italian folklore, Befana (pronounced [beˈfaːna]) is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to St. Nicholas or Santa Claus.
300
Per a recent holiday fad, what “spy” hides around the house, reporting back to Santa on who has been naughty and nice?
What is The Elf on the Shelf
The Elf on the Shelf tradition started back in 2005 when Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell, self-published the book “The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition” along with a special box with a small Scout Elf inside.
400
What holiday movie sequel includes a cameo by Donald Trump?
What is Home Alone 2
Trump appears briefly in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York when Culkin, as its hero Kevin, asks him for directions to the lobby of the Plaza hotel, which Trump owned at the time.
400
Which spirit is traditionally added to butter and served with Christmas pudding?
What is Brandy
Christmas pudding is a type of pudding traditionally served as part of the Christmas dinner in Britain, Ireland and in other countries where it has been brought by British and Irish immigrants
400
Of all the popular Christmas songs, which is the best-selling single of all time?
What is White Christmas
According to Guinness World Records, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" (1942) as performed by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single worldwide, with estimated sales of over 50 million copies.
400
What country designed the first Christmas Card?
What is England?
The first Christmas card, as the term is now understood, is believed to have been designed in England in 1843 by John Callcott Horsley. An edition of 1,000 hand-coloured copies was placed on sale in London. A triptych, the card depicted a family party in the centre, beneath which were the words “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.”
400
Two of the reindeers are named after weather phenomenon. Name one of the reindeer
What is Donner, which means thunder in German, and Blitzen, which means lightning
500
How many reindeer were in the story “Twas the Night Before Christmas”?
What is Eight. Rudolph wasn’t in the story
The classic Christmas poem, first published in 1823 calls out the following reindeer names:
1. Dasher
2. Dancer
3. Prancer
4. Vixen
5. Comet
6. Cupid
7. Dunder
8. Blixem
Of course, other versions of the names have also been published over the years, including Donner and Blitzen.
500
Which Christmas food is it considered good luck to eat one of on each of the 12 days of Christmas?
What is Mince Pies
A custom from the middle ages says that if you eat a mince pie on every day from Christmas to Twelfth Night (evening of the 5th January) you will have happiness for the next 12 months! Mince pies should have a star on top depicting the Christmas star that led the three wise men and the shepherds to baby Jesus
On Christmas Eve, children in the UK often leave out mince pies with brandy or some similar drink for Father Christmas, and a carrot for the reindeer.
500
What is the name of the song was recorded by Vaughn Monroe in 1945 that opens with the lines“Oh the weather outside is frightful,But the fire is so delightful,And since we’ve no place to go. . .”?
What is Let it Snow
Singer Vaughn Monroe was the first person to record "Let It Snow" in 1945. His version was a hit, climbing to No. 1 on the Billboard charts by late January 1946, but it isn't the track many people are familiar with today. Dean Martin recorded a cover in 1966, and even though it was released more than 20 years after the original, it's regarded by many as the classic version of the track.
500
Who tracks Santa’s location on Christmas Eve?
Double Jeopardy
What is NORAD
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD’s) mission to track Santa began by accident. In 1955 a young child, trying to reach Santa, dialed the misprinted phone number from a department store ad in the local newspaper. Instead of calling Santa, the child called the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the commander on duty that night who answered the child’s phone call, was quick to realize a mistake had been made and assured the child he was Santa. After more incoming calls, Shoup assigned a duty officer to continue answering calls and a tradition was born, that continued when NORAD was formed in 1958.
Each year since, NORAD has dutifully reported Santa’s location on Dec. 24 to millions of children and families across the world. Because of the support, services and resources generously provided by volunteers and our government and corporate contributors, NORAD Tracks Santa has persevered for more than 65 years.
500
What bad guy did Rudolph have to avoid?
What is The Abominable Snowman
The Abominable Snowmonster of the North, called Bumble for short, is the sole antagonist who roars loudly, but later reforms in the 1964 Rankin/Bass television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.