Hard Christmas Trivia Questions for Adults
For the quiz-night regulars, the office party and the relative who 'knows everything'. History, global traditions and deep cuts.
Quick answer
Hard Christmas trivia: the first commercial Christmas card was in 1843, the Puritans banned Christmas in England in 1647, the X in Xmas is the Greek letter chi, Catalonia's Caga Tió log 'poops' presents, and Hawaiians say Mele Kalikimaka.
In what year did the first commercial Christmas card appear?
Answer
1843
Commissioned by Sir Henry Cole in London.
Which US president had the first electrically lit White House Christmas tree, in 1895?
Answer
Grover Cleveland
Which country started the tradition of the Advent wreath?
Answer
Germany
Johann Hinrich Wichern created it in Hamburg in 1839.
The 1914 Christmas truce happened during which war?
Answer
World War I
What was banned in England in 1647 by the Puritan Parliament?
Answer
Christmas celebrations
In Catalonia, what log 'poops' presents?
Answer
Caga Tió
Kids beat the log with sticks while singing until it 'delivers' sweets.
What does 'Noël' come from?
Answer
The Latin 'natalis' (birth)
What is the 'X' in 'Xmas'?
Answer
The Greek letter chi, first letter of 'Christ' in Greek
Who wrote 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' ('Twas the Night Before Christmas)?
Answer
Clement Clarke Moore (disputed by some with Henry Livingston Jr.)
Which composer wrote 'The Nutcracker' ballet?
Answer
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
In 'The Nutcracker', what is the girl's name in most productions?
Answer
Clara (Marie in some versions)
Which Christmas song was written by Johnny Marks?
Answer
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
He also wrote 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree'.
In Sweden, which cartoon has been shown on Christmas Eve at 3pm since 1959?
Answer
Donald Duck and His Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas
Known as 'Kalle Anka'.
What is the name of the Christmas witch who delivers gifts in Italy on Epiphany?
Answer
La Befana
In Austria, what horned creature punishes naughty children?
Answer
Krampus
Which country gives the US a large Christmas tree? (trick question)
Answer
None; the US Capitol tree comes from a US national forest each year
What is the Hawaiian phrase for Merry Christmas?
Answer
Mele Kalikimaka
In what decade were electric Christmas lights first put on a tree?
Answer
1880s
Edward Johnson, a colleague of Edison, lit a tree in 1882.
What is the traditional Christmas meal in Poland on Christmas Eve called?
Answer
Wigilia
How many lords are a-leaping in 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'?
Answer
Ten
What did Scrooge's nephew Fred invite him to?
Answer
Christmas dinner
In Ukraine, what is a popular tree decoration linked to a folk tale?
Answer
A spider and web ornament
The 'Christmas spider' legend says a spider decorated a poor family's tree.
In which film does a character say 'Yippee-ki-yay'?
Answer
Die Hard
What Christmas tradition did Prince Albert famously popularise in Britain?
Answer
The Christmas tree