The Ghost of Christmas Past
Historians actually believe that Jesus was born in spring and the date of his 12/25 birth was chosen to coincide with the pagan festival of Saturnalia, which honored the agricultural god of Saturn with celebrating and gift-giving in which ancient culture?
Roman
How many total gifts are given in "The 12 Days of Christmas" song?
364
What color was the Christmas that Elvis Presley had?
Blue
From which country did eggnog originate?
England
Norwegians believe evil witches and spirits emerge on Christmas Eve to steal which household object? (and thus these are hidden on Christmas Eve)
brooms
In what century was the first written use of Xmas?
the 16th century
(X resembles the Greek letter Chi and the Greek word for Christ starts with Chi; Christ often written Chi Rho)
Coca-Cola started using Santa Claus in its advertisements in what decade?
1920s
In "A Charlie Brown Christmas," what song does Lucy ask Schroeder to play on his piano?
Jingle Bells
Which country started the tradition of erecting Christmas trees?
Germany
In Japan, the traditional Christmas feast involves eating at which fast food chain?
KFC--thanks to a great 1970s ad campaign... reservations are required and people line up the day before!
Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. Who is the patron saint celebrated on December 26th? (Hint in a popular hymn, good King Wenceslas steps out on this "feast" day)
Saint Stephen
In what year was the 1st Rockefeller Center Christmas tree put up?
1933
What is the biggest selling Christmas single of all time?
White Christmas
The Krampus is a mythical half-goat, half-demon beast who literally beats children into being nice, not naughty. From which two modern-day countries does this folklore creature originate?
Austria & Germany (Bavaria)
In Iceland, you leave your shoes on the windowsill for the 13 nights leading to Christmas to receive gifts (if nice, potatoes if naughty) from Yule Lads. Which is NOT one of their names (translated to English)?
Sausage-swiper, Door-Sniffer, Spoon-Licker, Spud-Swindler, Meat Hook, or Stubby?
Spud-swindler
The French word "Noel" is often used around Christmas, but what is its original meaning in Latin?
Birth
The political cartoonist Thomas Nast is largely responsible for defining what the modern day Santa Claus looks like due to his drawing in Harper's Weekly in what year?
1881
In Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, which two reindeer are named after weather phenomenon? (200 pts for each correct answer)
Donner (German for thunder)
Blitzen (German for lightening)
In which modern-day country was St. Nicholas born?
Turkey (originally Patara, a city in the ancient district of Lycia in Asia Minor)
In Catalonia, the figure of a caganer is included in the Nativity scene along with Mary, Jesus, Joseph, and the 3 wisemen. A caganer is a statue of a man doing what?
Defecating
Historically among Christians who lived in the East (and still today in Armenia), on what day is Christmas celebrated?
January 6th
When was Christmas declared a federal holiday?
1870
Do You Hear What I Hear?
In what country is it customary for children to leave mince pies and a Guinness out for Santa instead of milk and cookies?
Ireland
In parts of Eastern Europe, it's customary to keep what in your bathtub in preparation for the Christmas Eve feast?
a live fish