The holidays are a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing laughter, and creating cherished memories. One of the best ways to bring people together is through fun activities like games and trivia. While some family members might be experts at trivia, it’s always exciting to challenge everyone and test your knowledge. Whether you’re looking for classic Christmas facts or fun movie-related questions, there's something for everyone. Keep this collection handy for when the holiday spirit hits, whether it's around the dinner table or on Christmas morning.
Fun Christmas Trivia Questions
Here are some engaging and informative trivia questions that cover various aspects of Christmas traditions, history, and culture:
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What word does the “X” in “Xmas” stand for?
Answer: Christ (from the Greek letter Chi) -
Before turkey was common, what meat was often served at Christmas in England?
Answer: Goose or boar’s head -
What plant’s berries are often white and traditionally hung on doorways?
Answer: Mistletoe -
Which two of Santa’s reindeer names come from weather phenomena?
Answer: Donner (thunder) and Blitzen (lightning) -
What holiday drink is also called “milk punch”?
Answer: Eggnog -
The first “string lights” for Christmas trees were invented in which decade?
Answer: 1880s -
In which month is Boxing Day celebrated?
Answer: December -
What traditional German Christmas bread is called “Christstollen”?
Answer: Stollen -
Which U.S. President made Christmas a federal holiday?
Answer: Ulysses S. Grant -
What is the name of the famous Christmas ballet?
Answer: The Nutcracker -
What mythical figure punishes naughty children in central Europe?
Answer: Krampus -
How many towns in America are named “Christmas”?
Answer: Two (Christmas, Michigan and Christmas, Florida) -
According to the Bible, what did the three wise men bring Baby Jesus?
Answer: Gold, frankincense, and myrrh -
Where was Jesus born?
Answer: Bethlehem -
How many reindeer does Santa Claus have?
Answer: Nine (Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph) -
What mischievous character makes pranks from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve?
Answer: The Elf on the Shelf -
What’s the shopping day the Monday following Thanksgiving called?
Answer: Cyber Monday -
Who were Baby Jesus’ first visitors?
Answer: Shepherds -
What are people expected to do under the mistletoe?
Answer: Kiss -
In the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song, how many French hens does the true love give?
Answer: Three -
True or False: Santa Claus is based on a real person.
Answer: True. The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. -
What does mistletoe mean in German?
Answer: Holy berry -
How did Mary and Joseph travel to Jesus’ birthplace?
Answer: On a donkey -
Which New York City theater do the Rockettes perform at?
Answer: Radio City Music Hall -
Where is the world-famous Christmas tree placed in New York City?
Answer: Rockefeller Center -
Who wrote the classic story “A Christmas Carol?”
Answer: Charles Dickens -
In total, how many gifts were given in the “Twelve Days of Christmas”?
Answer: 364 -
What is the official Christmas flower in North America?
Answer: The poinsettia -
In what year did Christmas (December 25) officially become a national holiday?
Answer: 1870 -
What country is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition in the 16th century?
Answer: Germany -
Who wrote the famous poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas?”
Answer: Clement Clarke Moore -
What beverage company has used Santa Claus in its Christmas marketing since 1931?
Answer: Coca-Cola -
What color is the elephant that describes the exchange of amusing and impractical gifts during the holidays?
Answer: White
Movie Christmas Trivia Questions
For those who love holiday films, here are some fun and challenging movie-related trivia questions:
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What city was Kevin McCallister’s family traveling to for the holidays in the hit movie, Home Alone?
Answer: Paris, France -
What year did the film It’s a Wonderful Life come out?
Answer: 1946 -
In the movie Elf, what condiment does Buddy put on everything?
Answer: Syrup -
In the movie A Christmas Story, what did Ralphie’s aunt make him?
Answer: A bunny onesie -
In the movie The Holiday, where does Cameron Diaz’s character, Amanda Woods, live?
Answer: British countryside -
In the 2013 movie The Best Man Holiday, what does Harper Stewart name his daughter?
Answer: Mia -
How many sequels did the 1994 film The Santa Clause spawn?
Answer: Two (The Santa Clause 2 in 2002 and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause in 2006). -
What real-life department store is Miracle on 34th Street based on?
Answer: Macy’s -
What food did Kevin McCallister’s family order the night before their departure?
Answer: Pizza -
In the original Frosty the Snowman animated movie, what’s the first thing Frosty says when he comes to life?
Answer: “Happy birthday!” -
What actor played the Grinch in the 2000 live-action movie Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
Answer: Jim Carrey -
What classic Christmas movie inspired the hit TV show The Wonder Years?
Answer: A Christmas Story -
What’s the title of the movie about a train that carries kids to the North Pole?
Answer: The Polar Express -
When was the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special first aired?
Answer: 1964 -
In Elf, what department store does Buddy work at?
Answer: Gimbels -
In The Polar Express, what’s the first gift of Christmas?
Answer: A silver bell from Santa’s sleigh -
In National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, what does Clark want to buy with his bonus?
Answer: A swimming pool -
In Home Alone 2, which hotel does Kevin stay at?
Answer: The Plaza Hotel -
In A Christmas Carol, what’s Scrooge’s partner’s name?
Answer: Jacob Marley -
In It’s a Wonderful Life, who is George Bailey’s guardian angel?
Answer: Clarence -
In Miracle on 34th Street, what’s the girl’s name who doubts Santa?
Answer: Susan Walker -
In How the Grinch Stole Christmas, what’s Cindy-Lou Who’s dog’s name?
Answer: Max -
In The Santa Clause, who accidentally makes Scott Calvin Santa?
Answer: Santa himself falling off the roof
Christmas Trivia Questions for Kids
These fun and easy questions are perfect for younger family members:
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What movie features a snowman that comes alive?
Answer: Frosty the Snowman -
What is the day after Christmas called in some countries?
Answer: Boxing Day -
What story features ghosts and Scrooge?
Answer: A Christmas Carol -
What does Santa famously say?
Answer: “Ho, ho, ho!” -
What animals pull Santa’s sleigh?
Answer: Reindeer -
What do you send to friends to wish them Merry Christmas?
Answer: Christmas cards -
What plant is called the Christmas flower?
Answer: Poinsettia -
What colour is Santa’s suit?
Answer: Red -
What hangs over the mantel for Santa?
Answer: Stockings -
What sweet bread is filled with fruit at Christmas?
Answer: Fruitcake -
Where does Santa Claus live?
Answer: The North Pole -
What did Santa Claus want Rudolph to do with his nose?
Answer: Guide his sleigh -
What vegetables do kids leave out for reindeer to eat on Christmas Eve?
Answer: Carrots -
What celestial ornament is typically set atop a Christmas tree?
Answer: A star -
What are edible, ornately decorated Christmas houses made out of?
Answer: Gingerbread -
What popular cakes are often given as Christmas gifts?
Answer: Fruit cakes -
What’s considered by many to be the traditional, dairy-based holiday drink?
Answer: Eggnog
Music Christmas Trivia Questions
Test your knowledge of classic holiday songs with these fun questions:
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Which carol asks “What child is this?”
Answer: “What Child Is This?” -
Who sings “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”?
Answer: Brenda Lee -
What song includes “Don we now our gay apparel”?
Answer: “Deck the Halls” -
Which modern song begins “Underneath the tree, tonight”?
Answer: “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson -
What song starts “Frosty the Snowman was a jolly, happy soul”?
Answer: “Frosty the Snowman” -
What carol starts “Joy to the world, the Lord is come”?
Answer: “Joy to the World” -
What begins “Deck the halls with boughs of holly”?
Answer: “Deck the Halls” -
Which starts “Oh Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining”?
Answer: “O Holy Night” -
Who released “Mistletoe” in 2011?
Answer: Justin Bieber -
What carol includes “While shepherds watched their flocks by night”?
Answer: “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” -
Which starts “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”?
Answer: “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” -
In Mariah Carey’s classic “All I Want for Christmas,” song, what does she say she won’t even wish for?
Answer: Snow -
In Donny Hathaway’s hit song “This Christmas,” what is shining bright?
Answer: The fireside -
In Brenda Lee’s song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” what feeling does she suggest you’ll get when you hear voices singing “let's be jolly?”
Answer: A “sentimental” feeling -
What is the best-selling Christmas song of all time?
Answer: Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” -
On the 8th day in Destiny’s Child’s song “8 Days of Christmas,” what do they receive?
Answer: A pair of Chloe shades and a diamond belly ring -
Who originally sang “Baby, It’s Cold Outside?”
Answer: Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban -
What’s the title of Boyz II Men’s classic Christmas song?
Answer: “Let It Snow” -
What artist sang and wrote the hit song, “Run, Run, Rudolph?”
Answer: Chuck Berry