Hard Trivia Questions about Christmas History

Upon the heels of the Canon of Santa and our 20th Century Trivia episode, we thought we’d craft the perfect list of hard trivia questions about Christmas History. Of course all of these answers can be learned in the Canon of Santa, but for a Christmas Party – nothing’s better than a list of questions.

1. Johnny Marks wrote 4 famous Christmas songs, one of which was Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Name one of the other three

The others were Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, Holly Jolly Christmas and Silver and Gold.

2. How many ghosts show up in A Christmas Carol?

The ghosts of Christmas Present, Past and Future plus the ghost of Jacob Marley who introduced the other three.

3. What names are used for Santa in the poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas?

St. Nick and St. Nicholas

4. What famous Christian document did the real St. Nicholas sign?

The Nicene Creed

5. The celebrated “Christmas Truce” happened during what war?

World War 1

6. Jingle Bells was originally written to celebrate what holiday?

Thanksgiving

7. When was the first Department Store Santa?

1890

8. Which country do poinsettia plants originate?

Mexico. And they are named after . . .?

9. What is the best selling Christmas song of all time?

White Christmas

10. In Bolivia, what do you bring with you to the Christmas Eve church service?

Your Llama

11. What three countries claim to have created the first decorated Christmas tree?

Estonia, Latvia and Germany

12. What was the first piece of music played on the radio?

O Holy Night

13. Which country banned Christmas for 400 years?

Scotland

14. In early America which group banned Christmas?

The Puritans

15. Which Christmas song was originally written as an ode to Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press?

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

16. Which Christmas song was written to the tune of Greensleeves?

O Holy Night

17. When and why did Coca-Cola incorporate Santa Claus into their marketing?

In 1930, to increase sales of Coke in Winter.

18. Which paper posted the essay, “Yes, Virginia”?

The New York Sun

19. What did James Gluck do in NYC?

He took over the Dear Santa Letters and conned the world for money.

20. When was the first recorded Christmas celebration?

336 A.D.

21. When were “Christmas Cards” created?

In 1843 by Henry Cole

22. What days is St. Nicholas Day?

December 6th

23. Who wrote Letters from Father Christmas and A Letter from Santa Claus?

J.R.R. Tolkein and Mark Twain, respectively

24. Who first created electric lights for the Christmas tree?

Thomas Edison

25. Who wrote the first description of Santa in America?

Washington Irving

Hope those hard trivia questions about Christmas History have made your party a success.

If you would love to add some Christmas to your commute or road trip in December, check out these episodes: