Gather 'round, trivia fans. Because Christmas is barreling toward us like an errant reindeer (somebody get Grandma out of the street!). And as you congregate with friends and family this holiday season, exchanging presents and stories and homecooked meals, it's the perfect time to entertain everyone with some Christmas trivia questions.
Make a game out of it for the kids, where whoever guesses the correct answer moves forward on a DIY game board or fills in a space on a Bingo card. You could make a game out of it for the adults, too, where you write down the answers and whoever gets it wrong takes a hearty pull of egg nog (just make sure everyone has a safe way of getting home). If you want something simpler, you could read the questions aloud and see who knows the answer. Or if you're stuck at work right now or just bored at home and craving a little holiday cheer, consider these fun questions and answers an early holiday treat.
We've got all kinds of questions to inform and entertain. These trivia tidbits run the gamut of Christmas songs, classic Christmas movies, foods, and even traditions from other cultures. Some are as easy as pumpkin pie. Others, not so much. Either way, you're sure to have fun stimulating your brain with these 33 Christmas trivia questions and facts.
Christmas trivia facts and questions
- Question: Who wrote the classic Christmas novel "A Christmas Carol"? Answer: Charles Dickens.
- Question: In the song "Frosty the Snowman," what made Frosty come to life? Answer: An old silk hat.
- Question: What are the names of Santa Claus's reindeer as commonly mentioned in "Twas the Night Before Christmas"? Answer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.
- Question: In which country did the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree originate? Answer: Germany.
- Question: In the movie "Home Alone," where are the McCallisters going on vacation when they accidentally leave Kevin behind? Answer: Paris, France.
- Question: Who wrote the famous Christmas poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," often called "The Night Before Christmas"? Answer: Clement Clarke Moore.
- Question: What popular dessert is often made with crushed candy canes? Answer: Peppermint bark.
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- Question: What is the last line of the movie "It's a Wonderful Life"? Answer: "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings."
- Question: Which U.S. state is known as the "Christmas State"? Answer: Alaska.
- Question: What country is the legend of Santa Claus (St. Nicholas) originally from? Answer: Turkey.
- Question: In the movie "Elf," what is Buddy's favorite kind of pasta? Answer: Spaghetti.
- Question: What are the names of the three wise men who visited the baby Jesus? Answer: Melchior, Caspar (or Gaspar), and Balthazar.
- Question: In the movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," what animal is accidentally set loose in the Griswold family's house? Answer: A squirrel.
- Question: What is the name of the character who wants to be a dentist in the animated classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"? Answer: Hermey the Elf.
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- Question: In the movie "A Christmas Story," what does Ralphie Parker want for Christmas? Answer: A Red Ryder BB gun
- Question: In the movie "A Christmas Carol," what is the first name of the miserly character who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve? Answer: Ebenezer Scrooge.
- Question: In the song "The Christmas Song," what are folks roasting on an open fire? Answer: Chestnuts.
- Question: What plant is considered the "Christmas flower" and is often used for decorations? Answer: A Poinsettia
- Question: What is the traditional meal for Christmas Day in Japan? Answer: Fried chicken, oftentimes from KFC
- Question: What is the traditional Christmas dessert in England, often consisting of dried fruits and topped with marzipan and icing? Answer: Fruitcake.
- Question: What holiday beverage is made by mixing hot red wine with spices and citrus fruits? Answer: Mulled wine.
- Question: Which country is known for the Christmas tradition of leaving a shoe out for St. Nicholas' visit on December 6th? Answer: The Netherlands.
- Question: What is the Spanish phrase for "Merry Christmas"? Answer: "Feliz Navidad."
- Question: What is the French word for Christmas? Answer: Noël.
- Question: In the movie "The Nightmare Before Christmas," what is the name of the main character who discovers Christmas Town? Answer: Jack Skellington.
- Question: In the movie "Home Alone," what do the burglars Harry and Marv call themselves? Answer: The Wet Bandits.
- Question: What is the highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time? Answer: "Home Alone."
- Question: In the song "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" what is the weather outside like? Answer: Frightful.
- Question: What is the popular name for the dessert made with layers of sponge cake and custard, often served at Christmas in the United Kingdom? Answer: Trifle.
- Question: In Germany, it is tradition to hide one of these somewhere within the Christmas tree. What is it? Answer: A pickle.
- Question: What traditional Christmas decoration consists of a circular piece of evergreen with a red bow on top? Answer: A wreath.
- Question: How many ghosts show up in "A Christmas Carol"? Answer: Four
- Question: Which popular Christmas beverage is also called "milk punch?" Answer: Eggnog
