Christmas History
Which U.S. president is credited with having the first decorated Christmas tree in the White House?
Benjamin Harrison (often credited; the White House tree tradition has earlier, less certain roots)
In A Christmas Carol, what is Scrooge's first name?
Ebenezer
Who originally recorded "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) in 1946?
Nat King Cole
What does the word Advent mean?
Coming or arrival
Who wrote the poem "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"?
Clement Clarke Moore (traditional attribution)
In what year did Christmas become a federal holiday in the United States?
1870
What is the name of the department store in the movie Miracle on 34th Street?
Macy's
Which singer made "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" famous?
Brenda Lee
What is the traditional name for the four weeks leading up to Christmas?
Four weeks
What is the name of the miser in A Christmas Carol?
Ebenezer Scrooge
Which English king helped popularize Christmas celebrations in England during the Victorian era?
Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, helped popularize it
In It's a Wonderful Life, what happens every time a bell rings?
An angel gets his wings
Which composer wrote the music for the ballet The Nutcracker?
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
What country traditionally celebrates St. Lucia Day on December 13 with candlelit processions?
Sweden
Who wrote the Christmas story The Gift of the Magi?
Hans Christian Andersen
What ancient Roman festival, celebrated in December, is often associated with some Christmas customs?
Saturnalia
In White Christmas, what is the name of the Vermont inn the characters try to save?
Columbia Inn
What was the original title of the song "Silver Bells" when it was first written?
"Tinkle Bells"
What is the name of the Italian Christmas Eve tradition featuring a meal of multiple seafood dishes?
Feast of the Seven Fishes
In A Christmas Carol, what is the first name of Scrooge's former business partner, Marley?
Feast of the Seven Fishes
Which U.S. state was the first to officially recognize Christmas as a holiday?
Alabama
What 1947 Christmas film featured Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle?
Miracle on 34th Street
What Christmas song was written by Irving Berlin and became one of the best-selling singles of all time?
White Christmas
In which country is the giant Yule Goat, made of straw, famously displayed each Christmas season?
Sweden
What is the name of the angel who appears to George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life?
Jacob