The ABCs of Christmas Trivia Quiz

Answer: A Christmas Carol

The full title of the original book is: "A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas" and was first published December 19, 1843.

Answer: Boxing Day

No-one seems absolutely certain about the origin of the name, although there is general agreement that it was considered to be a "working man or woman's holiday". One theory is that, as it was custom for servants to receive the day after Christmas off to have Christmas with their own families, often leftovers from the Christmas dinner would be "boxed" up and sent along with the servants.

Another theory, in the UK at least, is that it was a Victorian tradition, where tradesmen etc. would call on their customers on the day after Christmas to receive their "Christmas Box"; a money gratuity (tip). Whatever the truth, now it is just an other day off!

Answer: Christmas bells

"Christmas bells are calling. Santa. Santa. We need you today".

Answer: Duster

Now you know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. You may even know the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph. But Duster, sorry. He was left in the dust.

Answer: eggnog

Eggnog originated in England and was mixed with brandy or sherry. When eggnog made it to the American colonies, brandy was so highly taxed that rum was substituted as the alcoholic ingredient.

Answer: Feliz Navidad

While many artists have versions of song, the original by Jose Feliciano is one of the most downloaded and played Christmas songs in the U.S.

Answer: Grinch

The book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" was written in 1957 by Dr. Seuss. The TV special debut in 1966. The special was unusual for a TV adaptation in that it actually included the text of the book in spoken form instead of just telling the story through visual dialog.

Answer: Holly Jolly Christmas

Burl Ives sings "Holly Jolly Christmas" for the special "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" in 1964. The first chorus is: "Have a holly, jolly Christmas. It's the best time of the year. I don't know if there'll be snow, but have a cup of cheer."

Answer: Icicles

Originally this type of tinsel was made from real strands of silver. However, only the wealthiest could afford it and it tarnished quickly. By the early 1900s silver tinsel was replaced by aluminum-based tinsel.

Answer: Jingle Bells

Schroeder attempts to play several complex versions of Jingle Bells for Lucy with her dismissing each one with a "No, no, no." He plunks out a single key version and she yells "That's it!"

Answer: Kris Kringle

According to the TV special, "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town", Kris Kringle is adopted by the elf family Kringle and is given the name Kris. He was found with a necklace that had the name Claus inscribed. Other names for the jolly fellow are St Nicholas and Father Christmas.

Answer: Lords a-leaping

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree!

Answer: mistletoe

Actual tradition says the man is supposed to remove a berry when he kisses the woman. Once all berries are picked from that plant, there should be no more kissing under that particular plant. The plant itself is considered a parasitic pest.

Answer: Nutcracker

"The Nutcracker" is by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, composed in 1891-92. It was based on "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann (1816).

Answer: O Little Town of Glory

"O Little Town of Glory" is a romance book written by Judith Bowen in 1998.

Answer: Poinsettia

The poinsettia is considered a weed in Mexico. The original, native color is red.

Answer: Queen Victoria

While the custom of a Christmas tree began in Germany, it wasn't until Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, brought the Christmas tree to England in 1840 that it gained popularity there. Several engravings and illustrations appeared in English papers showing the royal family and their many Christmas trees. Due to the popularity of Queen Victoria, the tradition spread as English citizens followed the Royal example.

Queen Mary I, or Bloody Mary, and Queen Elizabeth I are too early, 1516-1558, and 1533-1603 respectively. Queen Elizabeth II was queen from`1952 - 2022.

Answer: Ran over

According to the song "Grandma got run over by a reindeer, walking home from our house Christmas Eve. You can say there's no such thing as Santa, but as for me and Grandpa, we believe."

The song was written by Randy Brooks, and was originally performed by the husband and wife duo of Elmo and Patsy Shropshire in 1979. After their divorce, Elmo re-recorded the song solo in 1992.

Answer: Silent

"Silent Night, Holy Night. All is calm, all is bright."

Written as a poem by Joseph Mohr in 1816, the original guitar accompaniment was added by Mohr's friend Franz Gruber in 1818. It was introduced Christmas Eve 1818. It has since been translated to over 300 languages.

Answer: Two Front Teeth

"All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" is written by Donald Yetter Gardner who was an elementary teacher at the time. He noticed most of his students were missing at least one front tooth.

Answer: Up on the housetop

"Up on the Housetop" was written back in 1864. Its lyrics are: Up on the house-top the reindeer pause, out jumps good old Santa Claus. Down through the chimney with lots of toys. All for the little ones, Christmas joys. Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go! Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go! Up on the house-top click, click, click. Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick.

Answer: Vixen

Vixen, Dancer, Cupid, and Blitzen are considered the female reindeer. Both male and female reindeer grow antlers.

Answer: White

The song, about having a snowy Christmas, was actually written by Irving Berlin poolside in Arizona in 1940. Bing Crosby makes it famous when he sings it in the musical Holiday Inn in 1942.

Answer: Xmas

Some people argue that, in line with the "commercialization" of Christmas, this is just another example where Christ has been removed from Christmas. However, as X (Chi) is a symbol meaning Christ, it is merely an abbreviation of the name, not a removal. As a usage, it also dates back to the Middle Ages, so is hardly a modern phenomenon.

Answer: Yukon Cornelius

Yukon sings about finding silver and gold but in the end finds peppermint and is excited that he will have his own peppermint mine. He also knows a thing or two about bumbles...they can't swim, they like pork vs. reindeer and they bounce.