Christmas Trivia Quiz

The legend of Santa Claus began with which 4th century saint?

• Saint Christopher

• Saint Michael

• Saint Nicholas

Answer explanation

The legend of Santa Claus began with Saint Nicholas. He is the patron saint of children, shopkeepers, pawnbrokers and sailors among other things.

... and where did this saint live?

• Finland

• Turkey

• Italy

Answer explanation

The real Saint Nicholas was bishop of the maritime town of Myra in Asia Minor (modern-day Demre, Turkey). The Dutch named him Sinter Claes, which became Santa Claus when Dutch settlers took the tradition to the United States.

In the United Kingdom, what do children put out for Santa Claus to put their presents in?

• hats

• socks

• shoes

Answer explanation

In the United Kingdom, children traditionally put out socks for Santa Claus to put their presents in. They are usually hung above the fireplace or at the end of the child’s bed. Santa comes down the chimney, fills the socks and then drinks the wine that the family has left for him. It is traditional to leave a carrot or some other food for his reindeer.

The Christmas tree tradition started in which country?

• Germany

• Russia

• Norway

Answer explanation

The Christmas tree tradition started in Germany in the sixteenth century. Queen Victoria’s husband, Albert, who was from Germany, brought the tradition to the United Kingdom and German immigrants took it to the United States at the end of the 1800s.

Where is the United States' official Christmas tree located?

• In Times Square, New York

• In King's Canyon National Park.

• Outside the White House in Washington DC.

Answer explanation

Since 1925, the United States’ official Christmas tree has been a Giant Sequoia called ‘General Grant’ in King’s Canyon National Park.

Electric Christmas tree lights were first used in ...

• 1785

• 1895

• 1935

Answer explanation

Electric Christmas tree lights were invented in 1895 by American Ralph Morris after concerns over accidents involving the use of candles.

The first charity Christmas card was produced by UNICEF in 1949. Who was the picture painted by?

• A seven-year-old girl

• Pablo Picasso

• Charlie Chaplin

Answer explanation

The first charity Christmas card, produced by UNICEF in 1949, was painted by Jitka Samkova, a seven-year-old girl. The girl was from Rudolfo, a small town in Czechoslovakia, which was one of the first places to receive aid after the Second World War. The picture was of children dancing.

Every Christmas Day, the Brisith Monarch's speech is broadcast to the nation. Who wrote the first speech in 1932?

• The King

• Winston Churchill

• Rudyard Kipling

Answer explanation

The first British Monarch’s speech broadcast to the nation in 1932 was written by Rudyard Kipling, author of Jungle Book and the poem If. Its opening words were ‘I speak now from my home and from my heart …’

What was invented by Tom Smith, an English confectioner, in 1847?

• Tinsel

• The advent calendar

• The Christmas cracker

Answer explanation

In 1847, Tom Smith, an English confectioner, invented the Christmas cracker. The company he founded exists to this day and supplies Christmas crackers to the British royal family.

How many people have spent Christmas Day in space?

• None

• Five

• Thirty-five

Answer explanation

Since the crew of Apollo 8 became the first people in space over Christmas 1968, thirty-five people have so far spent Christmas Day in either in Salyut, MIR or the International Space Station.