Christmas Trivia

When were gingerbread houses invented?

• 12th Century

• 13th Century

• 14th Century

• 16th Century

Answer explanation

They're thought to have been invented in Germany during the 16th century and rose in popularity with the Brothers Grimm's Hansel and Gretel story.

The term "Xmas" came from the _____ word "Χριστός" which means "Christ".

• Sanskrit

• Latin

• Greek

• Farsi

Answer explanation

It harkens back all the way to the mid-1500s and the Greek letter "X", which is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ: Χριστός.

TRUE OR FALSE:

Wintergreen Plant and Coca-Cola made red and green the popular Christmas colors.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Holly Plant and Coca-Cola. The Coca-Cola company popularized the plump and jolly red-suit-wearing Santa in an ad in 1931, Arielle Eckstut, co-author of Secret Language of Color.

What's the highest grossing Christmas movie of all time?

• Christmas Chronicles

• Home Alone

• The Holiday

• Jack Frost

Answer explanation

Back in 1990, Home Alone brought in $286 million dollars at the box office, making it the most successful holiday movie ever.

TRUE OR FALSE:

There was once a real-life Santa Claus.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The Christian bishop Saint Nicholas was the inspiration behind the jolly man we all know and love. St. Nicholas, a generous, gift-gifting clergyman, lived in modern day Turkey and devoted his life to helping the poor.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created as a promotion for what department store?

• Montgomery Ward

• J.C. Penney

• Nordstrom

• Macy's

Answer explanation

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first appeared in a marketing campaign for retailer Montgomery Ward. In 1939, the company decided to produce the books themselves in order to save on cost.

What's the two (2) most popular Christmas song of all time?

• Jingle Bells and Silent Night

• Silent Night and White Christmas

• All I Want For Christmas is You and Last Christmas

• Last Christmas and Jingle Bell Rock

Answer explanation

The most recorded Christmas song of all time is "Silent Night," according to Time, whereas "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby holds the Guinness World Record for the best-selling single.

Where is Christmas Island located?

• Atlantic Ocean

• Arctic Ocean

• Southern Ocean

• Indian Ocean

Answer explanation

Christmas Island is an external territory of the Commonwealth of Australia located in the Indian Ocean. It was discovered on Christmas Day 1643, but only settled in the late 19th century.

Who's the NBA player that went head-to-head against Santa Claus in a Nike commercial?

• Michael Jordan

• Dennis Rodman

• Kobe Bryant

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Answer explanation

In this Nike commercial from the 1984 holiday season, Michael and Santa Claus are wearing the Air Jordan 1 in a game of hoops in which Michael dominated the chubby man with the great white beard.

What Christmas plant might be labeled as "Viscum Album" or a semi-parasitic shrub that grows on different types of trees?

• Mistletoe

• Holly

• Sage

• Poinsettia

Answer explanation

Viscum album is a species of mistletoe in the family Santalaceae, commonly known as European mistletoe, common mistletoe or simply mistletoe.