Christmas quiz questions and answers

Six rounds, ten to twenty questions each, answers included. Read them straight off the screen - no printing required, though printing is kinder on the quizmaster.

Run it as six rounds of ten with a swap-and-mark after each. Forty-five minutes total, which is about as long as anyone stays interested after dinner.

Answers are in brackets after each question.

Round 1: easy Christmas questions

• How many ghosts visit Scrooge in A Christmas Carol? (Four, including Marley)
• What colour are the berries on mistletoe? (White)
• In which country did the Christmas tree tradition begin? (Germany)
• What is traditionally hidden inside a Christmas pudding? (A coin, a sixpence)
• Who delivers presents in Italy, according to tradition? (La Befana)
• How many days are there in Advent calendars usually? (24)
• What vegetable is left out for the reindeer? (A carrot)
• What is Boxing Day's date? (26 December)
• Which drink is traditionally left out for Santa in the UK? (Sherry or milk)
• What is the name of the reindeer with the red nose? (Rudolph)

Round 2: Christmas music

• Who sang the 1984 original of Last Christmas? (Wham!)
• Which band recorded Fairytale of New York? (The Pogues, with Kirsty MacColl)
• Who had the UK Christmas number one with Merry Xmas Everybody? (Slade)
• 'So here it is' is the opening of which song? (Merry Xmas Everybody)
• Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You was released in which year? (1994)
• Which Christmas song was the first sung in space? (Jingle Bells)
• Who sang Stop the Cavalry? (Jona Lewie)
• Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas? was first released in which year? (1984)
• Which carol contains the line 'let nothing you dismay'? (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)
• Who recorded Wonderful Christmastime? (Paul McCartney)

Round 3: Christmas films and TV

• What does Buddy the Elf put on his spaghetti? (Maple syrup)
• In Home Alone, which city are the family flying to? (Paris)
• Which film features the song Christmas Is All Around? (Love Actually)
• What is the name of the Grinch's dog? (Max)
• In The Snowman, what is the boy called? (James)
• Which 1946 film features George Bailey? (It's a Wonderful Life)
• In Elf, what are the four main food groups according to Buddy? (Candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup)
• Who plays Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol? (Michael Caine)
• Which Christmas film is set at the Nakatomi Plaza? (Die Hard)
• In Nativity!, which city do the children hope Hollywood will visit? (Coventry)

Round 4: Christmas food and drink

• What are the two main ingredients of a traditional brandy butter? (Brandy and butter, plus sugar)
• What spirit goes into a snowball cocktail? (Advocaat)
• Mince pies originally contained what? (Meat)
• What is the German Christmas cake with marzipan called? (Stollen)
• Which nut is traditionally roasted at Christmas markets? (Chestnut)
• What is a bird inside a bird inside a bird called? (A three-bird roast, or turducken)
• Pigs in blankets are sausages wrapped in what? (Bacon)
• Which vegetable divides every UK Christmas table? (Brussels sprouts)
• What is mulled wine flavoured with, traditionally? (Cinnamon, cloves, orange, star anise)
• Bread sauce is thickened with what? (Breadcrumbs)

Round 5: harder Christmas questions

• Which monarch gave the first Christmas broadcast? (George V, 1932)
• In which year was the first commercial Christmas card sent? (1843)
• Who commissioned that first Christmas card? (Sir Henry Cole)
• What is the Feast of Stephen, referenced in Good King Wenceslas? (26 December)
• Which country donates the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree each year? (Norway)
• What does the word 'Noel' derive from? (The French for Christmas, from Latin natalis)
• Which US state was the last to recognise Christmas as a holiday? (Oklahoma, 1907)
• In the twelve days of Christmas, how many gifts are given in total? (364)
• What is a wassail? (A spiced drink and the tradition of singing for it)
• Which saint is Santa Claus based on? (Saint Nicholas of Myra)

Round 6: office and family tiebreakers

• How many Brussels sprouts will be eaten in this room today? (Nearest wins)
• How many baubles are on the tree in this room? (Count them)
• What was the UK Christmas number one the year you were born? (Point per correct)
• Name all nine reindeer in thirty seconds. (Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph)
• How many days until Christmas from today? (Instant tiebreaker)
• Draw a Christmas tree with your eyes closed - best one wins.

Shop Christmas cards

How to write it so it lands

• Print one answer sheet per team and keep the answers on your phone only.
• Mix an easy round in third position - it stops trailing teams giving up.
• Have a tiebreaker ready. Every quiz needs one and nobody ever prepares it.

Where to shop next

• Elf on the Shelf ideas
• Christmas Eve box ideas
• Advent calendar ideas
• Christmas quiz questions
• Christmas traditions in the UK
• World Book Day ideas
• Eid card messages
• Diwali card messages
• Chinese New Year card messages
• Christmas cards
• Secret Santa gift ideas
• Pin badges
• Buy party supplies
• Cake toppers
• Table confetti
• Celebration ideas
• Work Christmas party ideas
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas

Frequently asked questions

How many rounds should a Christmas quiz have?

Six rounds of ten questions works best. It runs about forty-five minutes with marking, which is as long as a room stays engaged after a big meal.

What are good prizes for a Christmas quiz?

Keep them small and funny - a pin badge, a bar of chocolate, a bottle for the winning team. Booby prizes get bigger laughs than first prizes.

How do you run a Christmas quiz at work?

Teams of four to six, one quizmaster who doesn't play, swap papers to mark, and skip anything that relies on drinking. Our office Christmas party games guide has more.