Lore
In Eastern Christianity, the 'wise men' visiting Jesus are called the Magi (singular Magus). How many Magi are reported to have visited Jesus? Clue: It's not three. Margin of error: None.
Twelve.
Who was the pavlova named after?
A Russian ballerina (Anna Pavlova).
What was the second gift reportedly given to baby Jesus on the night of his birth?
Frankincense
What is the name of the bagel shop that Kramer is on strike at during the Festivus episode of Seinfeld?
H&H Bagels.
What type of electrical circuit is oftentimes inconveniently used for Christmas lights?
Series circuit.
Jehovah Witnesses don’t celebrate Christmas. Name one other event they are known for not celebrating.
Birthdays; Easter; Mother’s Day; Father’s Day; Valentine’s Day; Halloween.
What do ribbe, pinnekjøtt, julegrøt, gubbröra and glögg have in common?
They are all traditional Christmas food eaten in nordic countries. Pork belly, dried beef, rice porridge, anchovy dish and mulled wine.
What is the second highest grossing Christmas movie of all time?
Home Alone (1990). The Grinch (2018) is the first.
At what age do children in the US generally stop believing in Santa? Margin of error: 0.5 year either side.
8.4 years old (House Method, 2019).
How quickly does it take for a unwatered 'real' Christmas tree to become engulfed in flames once lit? Margin of error: 1 second.
Less than 10 seconds. A "flashover" occurs roughly 70 seconds after an unwatered tree is ignited. US Firefighters respond to approximately 200 Christmas tree fires each yeah, such fires causing over $10 million dollars in damage p.a.
Who is Knecht Ruprecht?
A companion to Saint Nicholas in many parts of the former Holy Roman Empire. Either a farmhand or a wild foundling dressed in a dark robe and carrying a bag of ashes. Knecht Ruprecht acts as a character foil to Saint Nicholas, giving naughty children coal, sticks, etc.
What can't astronauts on the International Space Station eat, even on Christmas Day?
Anything requiring refrigeration; carbonated beverages; alcohol.
What is the current second best selling Christmas single?
Do You Want to Build a Snowman? (2013). All I Want for Christmas Is You (1994) is the first.
Finish the lyrics to 'Let it Snow':
Oh the weather outside is _____
But the fire is so ______
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
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 does the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come represent in Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'?
The fear of death.
On what day is the Immaculate Conception celebrated by Catholics?
December 8
What is Stir-Up Sunday?
The last Sunday before the season of Advent, occurring approximately five weeks before Christmas Day. In Victorian England, families would gather to mix and steam Christmas puddings, leaving them to mature until Christmas.
In 2 AD the first national census was recorded in China. What population did this census record? Margin of error: 3 million either side.
59.594 million people.
What is the name of the holiday that Pastafarians (members of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster) celebrate around the time of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa?
'Holiday'. Pastafarians also celebrate Festivus on the 23rd of December and the First Day of Noodlemas on the 25th.
Guess the punchline of this Christmas cracker joke: Why did Santa's helper see the doctor?
Because he had a low "elf" esteem!
Saturnalia was the Roman equivalent to the earlier Greek holiday _______ ?
Kronia
How many litres of water does it take to produce the average Christmas turkey dinner (2kg turkey meat, a kilogram of vegetables, kilogram of roast potatoes, 300g of 'pigs in blankets')? Margin of error: 1,000 litres either side.
15,000 litres.
What is the second-fastest time to dress in a Santa suit, as recorded by the Guinness World Records i.e. what is the old world record for this feat? Margin of error: 1 second either side.
30.94 seconds (2018). Current record is 28.91 seconds (2020).
What law reform was enacted in response to the Black Christmas bushfires of 2001-2002?
Harsher penalties for those who start bushfires.
What did the recipient in the 12 Days of Christmas receive on the 5th day?
Five golden rings.