Holiday Trivia

Front

True or false: The song "Jingle Bells" was written specifically for Christmas.

Back

False

Front

Which U.S. President was the first to recognize Hanukkah with a menorah lighting at the White House?

Back

Jimmy Carter

Front

The holiday decoration tinsel was originally made from strands of what metal?

Back

Silver

Answer explanation

Silver. Once a display of wealth, it was tradition in Germany to hang tinsel ("estincele,” or sparkle in Old French, or “lametta,” meaning tiny blade in Italian) made of thin strips of silver on a Christmas tree to reflect candlelight.

Front

How many pieces of holiday mail and packages will the U.S. Postal Service deliver each day this year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day?

Back

60 million

Answer explanation

Thanks to new package processing equipment and operational improvements, the Postal Service is expected to process nearly 60 million packages every day this holiday season, up from 53 million in 2021. Last year, the USPS projected that more than 12 billion holiday letters, cards and packages would be delivered between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

Front

Which of the four presidents on Mt. Rushmore is rumored to have had his own recipe for eggnog?

Back

George Washington

Front

Kwanzaa was first celebrated in the U.S. in what decade? 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s

Back

1960s

Answer explanation

The 1960s. Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 as a way of uniting the African American community. Modeled after traditional African harvest celebrations, the weeklong holiday is celebrated as a cultural holiday; many people celebrate it in addition to other religious traditions.

Front

The beloved ballet The Nutcracker was first performed in what city in 1892?

Back

St. Petersburg, Russia

Front

In the song Frosty The Snowman, what makes Frosty come to life?

Back

An old silk hat

Front

Which department store was featured in the film Miracle on 34th Street?

Back

Macy's

Front

How much money do Americans spend (on average) on holiday gifts per person?

Back

$1000