quiz questions about Christmas
Here you'll find Christmas-themed quiz questions, perfect for an evening with family, colleagues or friends. The questions mix traditions, history, food, music, film and winter culture, so that both seasoned Christmas celebrants and curious newbies will find something to chew on. Each item is written as clear quiz questions and answers: first a short answer and then a short explanation that makes it easy to learn something new. You can use the material as a quick online quiz, print it out as a quiz at home, or run it as a team game with scoring. The difficulty level is medium to hard, with several tricky details that require more than just the most obvious Christmas knowledge.
A Christmas quiz is more than just a game; it's a way to explore and relive the many layers of history and culture that make up our modern Christmas celebrations. Many of our best-loved traditions have roots that stretch far back in time, often to a mix of Christian feasts and Norse midwinter celebrations. Questions about why we eat Christmas ham, where the tradition of the Christmas tree comes from, or who was the original Santa Claus, open up fascinating stories. Answering these questions not only scores points, but also gives us a deeper appreciation for the rituals that we often take for granted and that connect us to previous generations.
The beauty of a Christmas Tip Walk is also its ability to create community and warmth during a dark season. The activity brings people of all ages together around a common, joyful theme. The questions can evoke personal memories and spark conversations about family traditions, favourite Christmas films or the best Christmas food. It will be a time of playful competition where everyone can contribute something, whether you are an expert on Disney's Christmas or know the story behind the Advent candlestick. In this way, the Tip Walk becomes a perfect setting for socialising, where laughter, nostalgia and a little new knowledge are mixed into a wonderful Christmas cocktail.
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Round 1: Traditions, history and culture
Which figure in Swedish tradition brings gifts and knocks on the door at Christmas?
Answer: The Christmas goat
The Christmas goat is an older gift-giver in Nordic tradition, often associated with straw, masks and pranks. Later, the Santa Claus figure took over the role in many families, but the goat lives on as a symbol.
Which day in December is often celebrated as the end of the Christmas season in Sweden?
Answer: Twenty-day Knut
Twelfth Night falls on 13 January and marks the end of Christmas cleaning. The tradition has been around for a long time and is linked to the removal of the Christmas tree and decorations.
What are the straw figures that are often hung on the tree as geometric mobiles called?
Answer: Straw sky
A straw canopy is a traditional ornament made of straws joined together into geometric shapes. It appears in the Nordic Christmas tradition and is often hung from ceilings or trees to provide light and floating decoration.
Which country is strongly associated with the tradition of putting shoes out for gifts in December?
Answer: Netherlands
In the Netherlands, there is a tradition of children presenting shoes for small gifts and sweets. The custom is linked to the Sinterklaas celebrations and has influenced later gift-giving traditions in Europe.
Which plant is often used in the Nordic countries as a Christmas decoration with red berries and thorny leaves?
Answer: Järnek
Holly is used as an evergreen decoration and has strong symbolism in European Christmas culture. Its red berries and leaves make it easily recognisable, and it is often used in wreaths and arrangements.
Which traditional Swedish drink is often made with spices and spirits and served hot?
Answer: Mulled wine
Mulled wine is a spiced hot drink often served during December. It is based on warmed wine or other base, with spices such as cinnamon and cardamom, and is often drunk with raisins and almonds.
Which English phrase is often used to describe the last day before Christmas Eve?
Answer: Christmas Eve Eve
The term refers to the day before Christmas Eve, 23 December. It is an informal term that has become more common in modern English-speaking culture to mark the intense festive season.
Which Swedish traditional candlestick has seven candles and is often seen in windows?
Answer: Advent candlestick
The multi-candle Advent candlestick is used during December and is often placed in windows. It became particularly common in Sweden in the 20th century and serves as a clear light marker during dark winter weeks.
What colour of candle is often used in Lucia trains to mark the leader of the train?
Answer: Candles
The leader traditionally carries candles in a crown or hand, often real flames in older forms. For safety reasons, electric alternatives are now often used, but the symbolism is based on candlelight.
Which town is associated with the large Christmas market at Römerberg in Germany?
Answer: Frankfurt
Frankfurt's Christmas market at Römerberg is one of Germany's most famous and has medieval roots. It attracts many visitors with crafts, baked goods and hot drinks during Advent.
What is the date of Christmas Day according to the Gregorian calendar?
Answer: 25 December
Christmas Day is celebrated on 25 December in many countries and is often an official holiday. The date is fixed in the Gregorian calendar and follows Christmas Eve, which is celebrated the night before.
Which historical figure is often linked to the origins of December gift-giving in Europe?
Answer: Nicholas of Myra
St Nicholas of Myra was a bishop known for stories of generosity and gift-giving. His cult spread across Europe and helped shape later traditions of gift-giving during the winter season.
What kind of green ornament is often hung on the door as ring-shaped decoration during December?
Answer: Christmas wreath
A Christmas wreath is a ring-shaped decoration made of green material, often fir or other evergreen. It is hung on doors and walls and traditionally symbolises eternity through its circular shape.
Which Nordic country has the tradition of eating rice pudding with a hidden almond on Christmas Eve?
Answer: Sweden
In Sweden, rice pudding is often served with an almond hidden in the portion. Whoever gets the almond is linked to a playful prediction, and the custom is common in homes and at Christmas parties.
What is the name of the Christmas Eve service held early in the morning?
Answer: Dawn service
Christmas Eve is an early service traditionally held at dawn on Christmas Day. It has been an important part of church celebrations and marks a solemn start to the day's religious programme.
Which winter holiday in Jewish tradition often falls in December and is celebrated with candles?
Answer: Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday where candles are lit over several days in a special candlestick. It can fall in December depending on the calendar and has a clear light symbolism in the celebration.
Which classical ballet is strongly associated with December performances and a magic nut?
Answer: The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is a ballet often performed during the winter season and is linked to a fairy tale with toys and dreamlike scenes. The show has become a strong part of Christmas stage culture.
What word is often used for the period starting four Sundays before Christmas?
Answer: Advent
Advent is the time leading up to Christmas and is counted in four Sundays. The period is used for preparations, candles and traditions such as calendars, wreaths and various types of celebrations in homes and churches.
Which Swedish TV tradition is broadcast every Christmas Eve and has been running for decades?
Answer: Donald Duck
The programme featuring classic Disney clips has become a strong Christmas Eve tradition in Sweden. It is broadcast in the afternoon and often gathers large parts of the population in front of the TV every year.
Which historical event in 1914 is often mentioned as a symbolic Christmas peace during the First World War?
Answer: Christmas peace in the trenches
Christmas 1914 saw localised truces on the Western Front where soldiers met without fighting. The event has become a symbol of humanity in the midst of war, even if it was not officially organised.
What word is used to describe a gift exchanged anonymously within a group in December?
Answer: Secret Santa
Secret Santa involves participants being randomly assigned to give a gift to a person without revealing the sender. It is often used in workplaces and among friends as a simple gift game.
Which Swedish tradition involves lighting a candle for each Sunday before Christmas?
Answer: Advent candlestick
In many homes, a new candle is lit every Sunday during Advent. It creates a countdown to Christmas and is used in both candlesticks and wreaths, with a clear connection to light in dark times.
What type of procession with singing is common in Sweden on 13 December?
Answer: Lucia train
The Lucia procession consists of carol singers in white clothes and is a tradition that mixes older candle celebrations with modern school and community culture. The date is fixed and the celebrations often take place early in the morning or at dusk.
Which European city is known for a large fir tree in Trafalgar Square as a gift from another country?
Answer: London
The fir tree in Trafalgar Square in London is traditionally given as a gift from Norway. It has become a well-known symbol of winter celebrations and is lit with ceremony as a public marking of the season.
What kind of greeting cards are traditionally sent in December in many countries?
Answer: Christmas card
Christmas cards are sent as seasonal greetings and can be both religious and secular. The tradition became particularly popular with the development of postal services, and motifs include winter landscapes, symbols and holiday messages.
Let's test your maths knowledge
If you've read the article on the front page of Quizfragor, you know the answer.
Round 2: Food, music, film and odd facts
Which fish dish is common on Swedish Christmas tables and is often served with mustard sauce?
Answer: Lutfisk
Lutefisk is a traditional dish made from dried fish that is treated to achieve a particular texture. It is often eaten with white sauce and mustard, and can be found on Christmas tables in several Nordic countries.
Which pastry with saffron is often shaped like an S and eaten in December?
Answer: Lussekatt
Lussekatter are saffron buns often baked around St Lucia and Advent. The yellow colour comes from saffron, and the shape can vary, but the S variant is one of the most famous.
Which nut is often hidden in a dessert, where whoever finds it is said to have a special role?
Answer: Almond
An almond is sometimes hidden in a dessert during the winter season, making eating it a game. Whoever finds it is linked in tradition to a future event or a symbolic title.
What spice often gives gingerbread its characteristic flavour along with ginger?
Answer: Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a common spice in gingerbread and contributes to the warm, aromatic flavour. Together with other spices, it creates the typical profile associated with winter baking in the Nordic countries.
Which classic Swedish dish on the Christmas table consists of thin slices of meat, often served cold?
Answer: Christmas ham
Christmas ham is a central part of many Swedish Christmas tables and is often served sliced, sometimes with mustard. It is usually prepared by boiling and grilling, which gives it a distinct surface and flavour.
Which popular Swedish song is about a red-clad figure bringing presents?
Answer: Santa's Christmas Night
The song describes a nocturnal scene linked to gifts and the winter spirit. It has been sung in many contexts, especially in schools and choirs, and contains typical motifs from Nordic Christmas culture.
Which 1990 film is partly based around a lonely boy and a missed trip?
Answer: Home alone
The film is about a child who is left behind when the family goes away and has to fend for itself. It has become a regular winter entertainment and is strongly associated with December screenings in many countries.
Which country is known to have started the tradition of gingerbread-like spice biscuits in Europe?
Answer: Germany
Spice biscuits developed in different European areas, but German varieties became known and spread early on. They were often baked in monasteries and towns with a spice trade, which influenced winter baking in neighbouring countries.
Which plant is often used as an ornament and associated with a kiss under it in some countries?
Answer: Mistletoe
Mistletoe is hung as decoration and has folk traditions linked to love and peace. The custom of kissing under it is particularly well known in English-speaking culture and has spread through popular culture.
What number of Advent candles is lit on the third Sunday before Christmas, counting from the start?
Answer: Three
Advent is counted as four Sundays, with a new candle being lit each time. On the third Sunday, therefore, the third candle is lit, marking the approach of Christmas with just one Sunday to go.
What is the Swedish word for small paper figures that you cut and hang as winter decorations?
Answer: Paper stars
Paper stars are cut or folded and used as simple decorations in windows or on trees. They can be handmade by children and adults and are a common feature of Nordic winter decorations.
Which French dessert in the shape of a roll is often served at winter celebrations and resembles a log?
Answer: Christmas logs
Bûche de Noël is a roll cake decorated to resemble a log. It links to older traditions of Christmas wood and is an established dessert in French festive cuisine during December.
Which animal is used as a symbol in several countries to pull a sleigh in winter stories?
Answer: Clean
The reindeer occurs in northern environments and has become a central symbol in tales of sleigh rides. The link is based on both real-life use in Arctic regions and later storytelling traditions.
Which Swedish dish with small pieces of meat in a spicy sauce is common on the Christmas table?
Answer: Jansson's temptation
Jansson's temptation is a gratin with potatoes and a characteristic saltiness from a particular fish product. It is common on Swedish Christmas tables and is served hot as part of several dishes.
Which British traditional dessert is sometimes flambéed and often contains dried fruit?
Answer: Christmas pudding
Christmas pudding is a compact dessert of dried fruit and spices that is steamed. It is often served with sauce and can be flambéed with liquor, giving a short flame when served.
Which Swedish letter combination is often found on the label of a classic Christmas must from a particular brewery?
Answer: AB
Some classic soft drinks have historical labels with the initials of the producer clearly visible. These letters became a recognisable marker on bottles in the 20th century and remain in collector and nostalgia culture.
What type of spruce is often chosen in Sweden for better indoor conifer management?
Answer: Norway spruce
Norway spruce is popular because it often sheds fewer needles and can feel softer to handle. It is used in many homes as an alternative to other varieties, especially when the tree is to be left for a long time.
Which 1940s song became an international standard about a dreamy winter evening?
Answer: White Christmas
The song became one of the world's best-selling singles and is strongly associated with winter celebrations. It was featured in a famous film and has since been recorded in many versions over several generations.
Which Swedish Christmas tradition involves walking around between outdoor question stations?
Answer: Tip walk
A quiz walk consists of questions placed along a walking route, often with answer options. This approach is ideal for winter weekends as it combines movement, competition and group dialogue.
What spice measure is often used to describe the strength of a classic hot winter drink with wine?
Answer: Cloves
Cloves are used in many hot drinks and provide a distinct flavour even in small quantities. It is often combined with cinnamon and citrus, and the flavour is long-lasting, making dosage important.
Which film character is a grumpy figure who changes after supernatural visits during winter?
Answer: Ebenezer Scrooge
The character comes from a story in which a stingy person is confronted with his life through visits from spirits. The character has been filmed many times and is used as a symbol of change and generosity.
Which game element in a Christmas quiz often determines the tie-breaker?
Answer: Outcome question
In the case of a tie, an additional question is often used to estimate a number, such as quantity or weight. The closest wins, which means that chance and judgement can play an important role.
Which Nordic traditional drink is non-alcoholic and the most sold during the winter season?
Answer: Christmas must
Julmust is a sweet, malty soft drink sold in large quantities during December in Sweden. It often competes with other soft drinks during the period and has a flavour profile that many people associate with Christmas.
According to folklore, which bird is associated with omens and sometimes appears in winter stories?
Answer: Body
The raven appears in Norse folklore and literature as a symbol with various meanings, sometimes linked to omens. It appears in winter settings and can be used in stories to create a mood.
What word is used for the little cloth bags of surprises that are hung up day by day in December?
Answer: Advent calendar
An Advent calendar is used for the countdown to Christmas with one surprise per day. It can be made up of boxes, bags or parcels and comes in both printed and home-made versions.
