Endeavour’s Mega Christmas Trivia Quiz

• No using the internet…
• All questions 1 mark each, unless otherwise indicated.
• Bonus Points available where indicated.
• Self-marking – answers to follow when SB posts them.
• If Puffins prefer, they can download and printout the quiz by clicking on this link (and write their answers on it).

 

Christmas Traditions

1. Which country first started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree?

2. The tradition of the Christmas stocking is thought to originate from the life of which Christian Saint?

In which modern-day country was this Saint born?
(½ point each)

4. What are the traditional 12 days of Christmas?

5. According to tradition, what should be eaten on each of the 12 days of Christmas to bring good luck for the year ahead?

6. What traditional Christmas beverage has roots in the British medieval times, and is sometimes called Milk Punch?

7. According to tradition, when should you have your Christmas decorations down by?

8. What pagan holiday was in place before Christmas took over?

9. Christians celebrate Epiphany on which date?

Bonus point: what is this day known as in Spain?
 

Christmas Music

10. The BandAid Christmas song: ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ begins with the lines: “It’s Christmas time, and there’s no need to be afraid. At Christmas time, we let in light and banish shade”. Who sang the first lines in the original 1984 recording?

11. Who sang the first lines in the 2004 recording?

12. Who sang the first lines in the 2014 recording?

13. Who is the only artist to appear in all 3 versions?

14. What is the all-time best-selling Christmas song and who sang it? (½ Point each for Song and Artist)

15. ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ was written by Chris Rea about a drive back to which UK city?

16. Which Christmas hit features the lyrics: “Everyone dancing merrily in the new old-fashioned way?” Who sang it? (½ Point each for Song and Artist)

17. According to the song, what did my true love give to me on the eighth day of Christmas?

18. According to Frank Sinatra, what is the weather like outside. Name the song. (½ Point each for weather and Artist)

19. Which artist has had 5 consecutive UK Christmas number one singles? Bonus – what links all five songs?

20. Which hit Christmas song begins: “When the snowman brings the snow, Well he might like to know” (½ Point each for Song and Artist)

21. What were the boys of the NYPD choir singing in ‘Fairytale of New York’? Who sang Fairytale of New York? (½ Point each for Song and Artist)

22. Which hit Christmas song begins: “Are you hanging up your stocking on the wall” (½ Point each for Song and Artist)

23. How many gifts are there in the 12 days of Christmas song in total?

24. What was Frosty the Snowman’s nose made out of?
 

Christmas Films

25. How many ghosts show up in A Christmas Carol? Bonus point for each ghost name.

26. What Hollywood actor played six different roles in The Polar Express?

27. Where does Iris live in The Holiday?

28. In Home Alone, where is the family going on holiday? Bonus point for where in the destination country.

29. Miracle on 34th Street:

a Centres on what real-life department store?

b What does Kris Kringle try to prove in court in the film?

(½ point each)

30. In Love Actually, what song is performed at the school Christmas concert by Joanna, Sam’s crush? Which artist released it? (½ point each)

31. You are given a mogwai for Christmas. What three rules do you need to follow? (3 Marks)

32. In Arthur Christmas, what did the Elf cleaning the S-1 sleigh find inside?

33. What film, set at Christmas, features this building in Los Angeles?

34. What was the building called in the film?

35. Which former Batman actor becomes a snowman in Jack Frost?

36. What is the name of the actor who played Buddy the Elf in “Elf?”
 

Christmas Food & Drink

37. In which direction do you stir Christmas pudding mixture for good luck?

38. A popular dessert choice for the holiday period, what is a Croquembouche tree made of?

39. Which country produces the most cinnamon?

40. Which alcohol is traditionally added to the base of a Christmas trifle?

41. According to the old English tradition, which coin was placed in the Christmas pudding mixture?

42. In the song We Wish You a Merry Christmas, they sing, “now bring us some” what?

43. What name is given to the Sunday when Christmas puddings are traditionally made?

44. Which fruit when put into the container will allegedly keep a stored Christmas cake moist?

45. Turkeys in Victorian England were walked to market from Norfolk to London. What were they said to be wearing for the journey?
 

Christmas Trivia

46. What would be your star sign if you were born on Christmas?

47. What was the coldest ever temperature recorded during a UK winter? (to the closest degree)

48. When was the last widespread white Christmas in the UK when Met Office registered snow on the ground at 83 per cent of stations?

49. What is the name of a male turkey?

50. What’s the name of the period leading up to Christmas?

51. In what year was the Queen’s speech first televised?

52. What is the title of the most famous Christmas ballet? Who composed it? (½ point each)

53. What is the title of Shakespeare’s play believed to have been written for Queen Elizabeth I as a Christmas gift?

54. Which fairytale was the first gingerbread house inspired by?

55. Which King of England was crowned on Christmas Day?

56. What plant is sometimes known as the ‘Christmas flower’?

57. Three of Santa’s reindeer’s names begin with the letter “D.” What are those names? (3 points)
 

Christmas around the World – Multiple Choice

58. Bagpipe-playing shepherds are a popular festive spectacle in which country?

• Romania
• Scotland
• Italy
• Belgium

59. What tradition is associated with Consoda, the annual Portuguese festive feast?

• Families leave wreaths on friends’ doorsteps
• Families enjoy cheese plates together
• Children balance a lemon inside a Christmas tree
• Families set extra places for deceased relatives

60. In which country might you find villagers parading the streets with a horse’s skull over the Christmas period?

• Wales
• Spain
• Ireland
• France

61. In which country do you need to order Kentucky Fried Chicken months in advance to enjoy the KFC tradition come Christmas Day?

• Taiwan
• Korea
• Japan
• Philippines

62. In what nation do people exchange books on Christmas Eve then spend the evening reading them and eating/drinking chocolate?

• Finland
• Iceland
• Hungary
• Latvia
 

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