Music
Who originally recorded the song "White Christmas"?
Bing Crosby
What State are you in if someone wishes you a "Mele Kalikimaka"?
Hawaii
What Christmas carol do the Peanuts characters sing at the end of the show? (A Charlie Brown Christmas)
“Hark the Herald Angel Sing”
What do people traditionally kiss under?
Mistletoe
What snack is traditionally left out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve in American homes?
Cookies and milk
Which festive anthem, written during World War II, emphasizes hope and unity?
"I’ll Be Home for Christmas"
Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree?
Germany – The tradition began in Germany in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes.
What is the name of the head elf at the North Pole? (The Santa Clause)
Bernard
Which fairy tale helped inspire gingerbread houses?
Hansel & Gretel
Although gingerbread houses date back to the 1600s, the tradition became widespread in Germany after the story of Hansel and Gretel was published in 1812.
What popular Christmas candy is shaped like a shepherd's staff?
Candy cane
The first candy canes were straight white sticks. A German choirmaster in the 1670s reportedly bent them into the "J" shape to represent shepherds' crooks and keep children quiet during long Christmas services.
What singer is known for "Frosty the Snowman" from a classic animated television special?
Burl Ives
Sprinkling yule logs with red wine is one of this country’s Christmas Eve traditions.
France – Joyeux Noël! On Christmas Eve, a log is brought into the home and sprinkled with red wine to make it smell nice when burning. It is customary to leave the log and candles burning all night with some food and drinks left out in case Mary and the baby Jesus come past during the night. If you said Italy, you would be right too. In the past, yule logs were blessed, decorated with candles, sprinkled with wine or milk, or covered in oil, honey or butter, and were set ablaze by the head of the family.
What’s the golden rule of hot chocolate? (Polar Express)
“Never ever let it cool. Keep it cookin’ in the pot.”
What plant is often associated with Christmas and is known for its red and green foliage?
Poinsettia
What traditional British dessert is doused in brandy and set on fire before serving?
Christmas pudding (also called plum pudding)
The flaming tradition symbolizes Christ's passion. The pudding is traditionally made five weeks before Christmas on "Stir-up Sunday," with each family member stirring the mixture and making a wish. It contains no plums - the name comes from "plum" being an old word for raisins.
What is the most recorded Christmas song in history?
"Silent Night"
Christmas has only been widely celebrated in this country for the last few decades as a non-religious holiday and Kentucky Fried Chicken is the popular choice for a Christmas Eve meal.
Japan – Meri Kurisumasu! Fried chicken is often eaten at Christmastime. It is the busiest time of year for restaurants such as Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and people can place their orders at fast food restaurants in advance! There was an advertising campaign by KFC in 1974 called “Kentucky for Christmas!” (Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!) which was very successful and has been credited for making KFC popular for Christmas.
In which state was Home Alone filmed?
Illinois
Where does eggnog originally come from?
United Kingdom.
Most historians agree that eggnog is a descendant of the medieval British drink posset, which was made with wine or beer, cream, sugar, and egg, according to Smithsonian.com
How long can a properly stored fruitcake theoretically remain edible?
Up to 25 years or more
The alcohol and sugar in fruitcake act as preservatives. One famous fruitcake baked in 1878 was kept as a family heirloom for over 130 years! During World War II, fruitcakes were sent to soldiers because they survived long shipping journeys.
How many gifts in total were given in "The Twelve Days of Christmas"?
364 Gifts!
12 Partridges, 22 Turtle Doves, 30 French Hens, 36 Calling Birds, 40 Gold Rings, 42 Geese a-laying, 42 Swans a-swimming, 40 Maids a-milking, 36 Ladies dancing, 30 Lords a-leaping, 22 Pipers piping, 12 Drummers drumming
Christmas was banned in this island country from 1969 to 1998
Cuba - In 1969, then Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, banned Christmas altogether for two reasons: 1) Cuba was officially an atheist nation and 2) so that celebrations would not interfere with the sugar harvest. The ban lasted for nearly 30 years until a planned visit from Pope John Paul II to Havana in January 1998. In anticipation of the Pope’s visit, Castro declared that for one year only, Christmas would be a public holiday. The change, however, stuck and Christmas became permanent.
What are the four main food groups for elves? (Elf)
Candy, candy corn, candy canes and syrup
Where did the tradition of Christmas stockings begin?
Early 19th century in Europe. One popular legend involves St. Nicholas, who, according to folklore, put gold coins in the stockings of three poor sisters. Over time, this evolved into the cherished holiday tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace and filling them with small Christmas gifts.
Before turkey became popular, what meat was the traditional centerpiece of English Christmas feasts?
Goose (and before that, boar's head)
Medieval Christmas feasts often featured a boar's head as the main course, symbolizing the triumph of Christ over sin. Goose later became preferred among the middle class because it was more affordable than swan or peacock, which nobility enjoyed.