Printable Christmas Trivia Questions and Answers
A complete, ready-to-print quiz: four rounds of ten questions plus the answers. Press Print with answers, or use your browser's 'Save as PDF'.
Quick answer
To get a free Christmas trivia PDF, press Print with answers on this page and choose Save as PDF as the printer. You'll get four rounds (General, Movies, Music and Hard) of ten questions each, with answers under each question.
Round 1: General knowledge
In which country did the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree start?
Answer
Germany
Decorated trees were popular in German homes by the 1600s; Prince Albert helped popularise them in Britain in the 1840s.
How many gifts are given in total in 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' song?
Answer
364
Adding up every gift on every day (including repeats) gives 364.
Which country is the poinsettia native to?
Answer
Mexico
Where does Santa live?
Answer
The North Pole
Finland claims Santa lives in Lapland, but in most English-speaking countries it's the North Pole.
Which popular Christmas decoration was originally made from strips of silver?
Answer
Tinsel
Tinsel was invented in Germany around 1610 and was made of real silver.
What do children in the Netherlands leave out for Sinterklaas's horse?
Answer
Carrots or hay in their shoes
What is Ebenezer Scrooge's famous catchphrase?
Answer
Bah! Humbug!
In what country did eggnog originate?
Answer
Britain (England)
It descends from 'posset', a medieval British milk-and-ale drink.
The Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve is a tradition of which community?
Answer
Italian-American
Which department store created Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
Answer
Montgomery Ward
Round 2: Christmas movies
In 'Home Alone', where are the McCallisters flying to when they leave Kevin behind?
Answer
Paris
In 'Elf', what are the four main food groups of elves?
Answer
Candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup
In 'The Polar Express', what is the first gift of Christmas?
Answer
A bell from Santa's sleigh
Who played the Grinch in the 2000 live-action film?
Answer
Jim Carrey
In 'The Santa Clause', who plays Scott Calvin?
Answer
Tim Allen
In 'Love Actually', which character is the Prime Minister?
Answer
David, played by Hugh Grant
What is the name of Jack Skellington's ghost dog?
Answer
Zero
What's the name of the island where unwanted toys live in 'Rudolph' (1964)?
Answer
The Island of Misfit Toys
Which Muppet narrates 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' as Charles Dickens?
Answer
Gonzo
Rizzo the Rat is his sidekick.
Which film features the line 'Keep the change, ya filthy animal'?
Answer
Home Alone
It comes from the fake gangster film 'Angels with Filthy Souls'.
Round 3: Music & carols
Who sang 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' (1994)?
Answer
Mariah Carey
Complete the lyric: 'Rockin' around the Christmas tree at the…'
Answer
Christmas party hop
Under what title was 'Jingle Bells' first published in 1857?
Answer
One Horse Open Sleigh
It was written by James Lord Pierpont. It isn't clear whether it was meant for Christmas or Thanksgiving.
'Silent Night' was originally written in which language?
Answer
German
'Stille Nacht' was first performed in Austria in 1818.
Which singer released 'Santa Tell Me' in 2014?
Answer
Ariana Grande
What follows 'Have yourself a merry little Christmas…'?
Answer
let your heart be light
Which band sang 'Wonderful Christmastime'?
Answer
Paul McCartney (credited solo)
Who sang 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)'?
Answer
John Lennon and Yoko Ono
In 'Deck the Halls', what do we deck the halls with?
Answer
Boughs of holly
'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire' opens which song?
Answer
The Christmas Song
Made famous by Nat King Cole.
Round 4: The hard round
In what year did the first commercial Christmas card appear?
Answer
1843
Commissioned by Sir Henry Cole in London.
Which country started the tradition of the Advent wreath?
Answer
Germany
Johann Hinrich Wichern created it in Hamburg in 1839.
What was banned in England in 1647 by the Puritan Parliament?
Answer
Christmas celebrations
What does 'Noël' come from?
Answer
The Latin 'natalis' (birth)
Who wrote 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' ('Twas the Night Before Christmas)?
Answer
Clement Clarke Moore (disputed by some with Henry Livingston Jr.)
In 'The Nutcracker', what is the girl's name in most productions?
Answer
Clara (Marie in some versions)
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'.
In Austria, what horned creature punishes naughty children?
Answer
Krampus
What is the Hawaiian phrase for Merry Christmas?
Answer
Mele Kalikimaka
What is the traditional Christmas meal in Poland on Christmas Eve called?
Answer
Wigilia
How to print or save as PDF
- Press Print with answers (it opens every answer first).
- In the print window choose your printer, or Save as PDF to email it.
- Print one copy for the quizmaster; teams just need blank paper numbered 1–40.