Christmas in July Trivia Quiz

Answer: penguins

SNUG PINE = Penguins

Though often featured on Christmas cards merrily cavorting with Santa, polar bears and reindeer, the penguin is one bird Santa certainly wouldn't have been likely to see at home. Penguins are not native to the North Pole and attempts to introduce colonies of the birds to this region have largely failed, partially due to the presence of predators that penguins do not usually have to face in their native habitats and partially due to the upset that the change in climate caused to their feeding and breeding habits.

While in Hawaii, Santa may want to keep an eye out for the state bird, the nene.

Answer: christmas tree

TEACHERS TRIMS = Christmas Tree

Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, is widely credited with popularising the custom of decorating Christmas trees in British homes in the 19th century. It had long been a custom in Albert's native Germany and he was keen that his children should experience this part of their heritage.

Answer: Father Christmas

FIRST HASTE CHARM = Father Christmas

In Britain, we often refer to 'Santa Claus' as 'Father Christmas'. Although the two differ slightly in the clothes they are depicted as wearing, Father Christmas tends to wear more flowing and traditional robes than his American counterpart, they are certainly similar enough to be easily recognisable as manifestations of the same seasonal icon. Although the image and story of Santa Claus has altered dramatically over the years and differs greatly from culture to culture, most of the legend can trace its roots back to Saint Nicholas, a 4th century Bishop of Myra who became an extremely popular patron saint of a number of groups, including sailors and children. Being the patron saint of sailors meant that images of Nicholas were frequently carved into ships and were therefore carried with European settlers to their homes in the 'New World'.

Answer: decorations

DIET CROON AS = Decorations

Although traditional Christmas images such as stars, angels, Santa, reindeer, robins, holly, snowmen and nativity scenes are still popular as Christmas decorations, it is possible to buy baubles and other decorations featuring almost anything you can imagine. Many people plan their decorations around a particular theme or colour scheme while others just use the same decorations they have used for many years, often passed down from parents or grandparents, which, while they may not be fashionable, act as a reminder of all the happy Christmases of the past.

Answer: Mince Pies

MINE SPICE = Mince Pies

Mince pies have been eaten in England since at least the Middle Ages, though earlier versions were filled with minced meat rather than mincemeat, a mixture of dried and preserved fruit, which fills modern mince pies. The modern mince pie is widely associated with Christmas and, while some shops do stock them all year round, most stores only sell them from September or October to January. British children often leave a mince pie out for Father Christmas on his busiest night of the year. I also used to leave him a glass of sherry along with a carrot and water for the reindeer, they were always gone by the morning (except the end of the carrot!)

Answer: Snowflake

LEAF KNOWS = Snowflake

There is some discussion as to where Santa's headquarters are actually located. While many believe he is based in the North Pole, lots of European children visit him in his home in Lapland. He probably uses both sites but Lapland, particularly Finnish Lapland, is a more accessible place for him to meet his fans than the North Pole!

Answer: Christmas Eve

VEST SAME RICH = Christmas Eve

In some countries families open their presents on Christmas Eve. I have no idea how Santa gets the presents to these families in time, perhaps he starts his shift earlier? He certainly has his work cut out for him on December 24th! Many people have speculated about how Santa gets around the whole world in one night but British physicist Professor Brian Cox offered a scientific explanation for this phenomenon on the BBC Radio 4 comedy science show 'The Infinite Monkey Cage'.

Answer: Mistletoe

TIME STOLE = Mistletoe

Mistletoe has long been a symbolically important plant in a number of Western cultures, particularly revered by Druids and in Norse mythology. It has long been associated with Christmas in Britain as well as many other countries around the world. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe was first referred to in print in the 18th century, though it is possible the actual practice may significantly predate this reference. Some versions of the tradition state that a berry must be plucked from the sprig of mistletoe every time a couple stops to kiss beneath it. When all of the berries are gone nobody else may kiss under the mistletoe.

Answer: Stocking

COST KING = Stocking

Although children in many countries hang up a stocking for Santa in the hope that he will fill it with goodies, in a number of countries, such as the Netherlands and Iceland, a shoe is traditionally left out to be filled with toys instead.

Answer: Boxing Day

BOXY GIN AD = Boxing Day

In the UK the 26th December, or Boxing Day, is a bank holiday. Some families use it as a chance to recover from the excesses of Christmas Day or meet with friends and family; other, more hardy people, hit the madness of the Boxing Day sales. Turkey sandwiches, turkey curries and other dishes made from Christmas dinner leftovers are a common dish on Boxing Day.