Christmas Boxes Trivia Quiz

Answer: Decorations

A crèche, also called a Nativity scene, is a display of the circumstances of the birth of Jesus. They often include traditional elements that are not found in the Biblical accounts. These include angels hovering over the stable (when they are only recorded as addressing the shepherds in the field); the fact that the manger is in what seems to be a stand-alone building (rather than an undercroft or cave, as is more likely), and the presence of three wise men riding or leading camels.

The Gospels refer to an indeterminate number of Magi, a term used for wise men from the east, but says they followed a star that stopped over a house, not a stable, and it was probably quite some time later when they arrived, possibly years. Likewise, there is no mention of the farm animals traditionally included, along with some of the sheep from the fields. Still, getting everyone together in one place unites all the disparate threads of the story, and reminds viewers of the religious meaning of the season.

Answer: Decorations

Tinsel, made of metal foil, has become a popular way to decorate a Christmas tree, either in chains or as slender strips that hang over the branches in a manner that suggests icicles. They catch and reflect the light from Christmas tree lights, magnifying their visual impact. If your tree is outdoors, tinsel is not great for birds - but chains of popcorn also look decorative, and provide sustenance for the local birds (and, if you live in the right part of the world, animals such as squirrels).

Answer: Decorations

A sprig of mistletoe is a traditional Christmas decoration, associated with a number of ancient cultures. The Romans, for examples, hung it over the doors of their houses as a harbinger of peace within the household. In medieval Christian traditions, it became a tradition that lovers would kiss under the mistletoe to ensure a safe and happy (and fertile) relationship.

In the 21st century, the mistletoe is often plastic, which removes the possibility of enacting the ritual of removing a berry each time someone has a kiss.

Answer: Festive fare

While our family used to hang candy canes on the tree as part of the decorations, they were only there so we could be rationed as to how many were removed and eaten each day. Tradition attributes their shape to the shepherd's crook, so they recall of the shepherds who worshiped the infant Jesus (or, alternatively, to remind us that Jesus is called the Good Shepherd).

They are usually peppermint-flavoured, and the white candy has a surface decoration of red stripes.

Answer: Festive fare

Eggnog is a kind of milk-based drink, to which sugar, cream and beaten eggs are added, along with various spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. An adult version usually includes some sort of distilled alcohol, such as brandy. It is a traditional drink for the Christmas season in North America and parts of Europe, as well as regions where European colonialism spread their traditions. Eggnog may be drunk either hot or cold, as the server is inclined.

In recent years, commercial non-dairy and vegan versions have become available.

Answer: Festive fare

While beautiful gingerbread houses may start as decorative items, they only fulfill their purpose in life when they are eaten. As the gumdrops and candy canes disappear, the house starts to look a bit tatty, but when you start snapping off bits of the roof to enjoy the spicy gingerbread's taste complemented by the royal icing snow, it really stops being a decoration, and is best moved into the shadows for continued nibbling.

Making your own gingerbread house can be a fun activity to keep the children occupied in the days leading up to Christmas, but commercial products may look more elegant. Although the association of gingerbread with Christmas has its origins in 9th century France, it was in Germany that the house became the accepted shape, in the 17th century. The story of Hansel and Gretel is considered to have been the inspiration for this.

Answer: Christmas crackers

Christmas crackers (which may also be called bon bons) are not the crackers I grew up with, such as Saltines and Ritz! They usually are built around a cardboard tube that holds items to be revealed on opening, and are covered in decorative paper that fits tightly around the tube, then extends about 15 cm on each end. The extensions are tied to form a closure, and the remainder provides a handle on each end. When the ends are pulled until they tear, a small cap-like explosive device is triggered, producing the "Crack" from which they get their name.

One of the traditional items found in a Christmas cracker is a paper crown, constructed of tissue paper (often two different colours glued together). If you belong to a family or group which has a tradition of Christmas crackers at the festive table, then you will probably be expected to wear your crown for the duration. They are one-size-fits-all, which means they never fit anyone properly.

Answer: Christmas crackers

One of the traditional items found in a Christmas cracker is the bad joke. Once everyone has donned their crown, the reading of the jokes can commence. Herewith some samples.

Q: What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck?
A: A Christmas Quacker!

Q: Who is Santa's favorite singer?
A: Elf-is Presley!

Answer: Christmas crackers

Most Christmas crackers include a small plastic trinket or toy, which will probably be lost, broken or eaten by the dog before the end of the meal. Some makers are very up-market: you can buy bon bons that include real jewelry, rather than strings of plastic beads. Or maybe you would prefer some designer chocolates, or perfume. One company in Melbourne will provide kits, so you can fill them yourself with personalised gifts.

But I want my fluoro-pink plastic ring, please.

Answer: Movies

Watching Christmas-themed movies is a popular activity during the festive season, although exactly what counts may be a matter of opinion. (My sister and I agree to disagree about 'Die Hard'.) The 1947 'Miracle on 34th Street', however, is one everyone can agree on, even if it does start at Thanksgiving. Edmund Gwenn won an Oscar (Best Supporting Actor) for his portrayal of Kris Kringle, a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real deal.

The court scene in which all the letters addressed to Santa are delivered to him is a real tear-jerker; who are we to disbelieve?

Answer: Movies

The classic Dr Seuss poem has been brought to the screen, both large and small, on multiple occasions. In 1966 it was adapted for television in an animated special featuring Boris Karloff as the voice of the narrator and the Grinch. Chances are you can catch it again this year, as it is a perennial rerun.

In 2000 a live-action film was released, with Anthony Hopkins as the narrator and Jim Carrey as the Grinch. An animated feature film in 2018 became the highest-earning holiday film to that time; Angela Lansbury's performance voicing the mayor of Whoville was to be her last film role.

Answer: Movies

The 1942 comedy-romance starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire has a paper-thin plot line with a totally predictable ending, and it covers multiple holidays along the way, but Christmas does feature, and this is the film for which Irving Berlin wrote 'White Christmas'.

The plot revolves around Bing Crosby's character Jim, who turns his farm into an inn that is only open for holiday seasons, his fellow performers Ted (Fred Astaire) and Lila (Virginia Dale), and the rising starlet Linda (Marjorie Reynolds), who is pursued by both men. Of course, they get it sorted out in time for a Christmas Eve reprise of 'White Christmas' that reunited Jim and Linda, while Ted and Lila celebrate their relationship on New Year's Eve.

Answer: Songs

Silver bells can be used as Christmas decorations, and they are the title of at least one film ('Silver Bells', 2005), but if you sort them in those boxes, you won't have anywhere to place something else. The song 'Silver Bells' has been recorded as part of many, many Christmas albums over the years. Composer Jay Livingston has said he got the idea from watching Santas on the city streets soliciting charitable donations from passers-by. His co-writer has a different story.

Whatever the origin of the words, they were first sung onscreen in the 1951 film 'The Lemon Drop Kid', by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell. This was the second film adaptation of Damon Runyon's short story about a scammer who eventually sees the error of his ways. Before that, he sets himself as a street Santa, planning to just collect and keep the donations, but gets sent to jail for panhandling.

The song had already been recorded and released (in October of 1950) by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards. It has been recorded many times since!

Answer: Songs

This calypso-style song, written in 1956, has come to be considered a classic Christmas carol, despite its relatively recent provenance. Harry Belafonte recorded it as a single in 1956, and again (in a longer version) on a 1957 album. This longer version is the one usually covered by others - although Belafonte's remains the definitive rendition. Virtually any crooner you can name has included it on a Christmas album at some point (Andy Williams at least twice).

In 1978 a disco version from Boney M, made into a medley with 'Oh My Lord', was a huge hit.

Answer: Songs

Unlike the more contemporary songs already discussed, 'It Came Upon the Midnight Clear' was written as a religious work, not for popular culture. The words were written by a Unitarian pastor, Edmund Sears, in 1849. The poem is a reflection on a world that Sears saw as having lost its way (with political turmoil and war burdening everyone, in addition to his own private problems) and a call to respondto the angels' message of "Peace on the earth, good will to men From heaven's all-gracious King".

The poem has since been set to two different tunes. In North America, you are most likely to associate it with a tune called 'Carol', written by Richard Storrs Willis at Sears's request. In the United Kingdom, Arthur Sullivan set the words to the tune 'Noel', which he adapted from a traditional English tune.