100 Christmas Trivia Questions + Answers

If you want a family-friendly activity that works for kids, teens, and adults, Christmas trivia is the easiest crowd-pleaser (and it instantly fills those “in-between” moments at parties).

I like to keep a Christmas trivia cards set, a score pad notebook, and a one-minute sand timer in a drawer so I can start a game in seconds.

Below are 100 questions with answers, organized into 10 easy sections so you can pick the vibe you want—movies, songs, traditions, history, and more.

You can read them out loud, write them on blank index cards, or split into teams and track points with a dry erase board.

Santa & The North Pole

1. Q: What is Santa Claus traditionally based on (think St. Nicholas stories)?
   A: Saint Nicholas.

2. Q: In the poem that names Santa’s reindeer (often printed in Christmas poetry books), how many reindeer are listed?
   A: Eight.

3. Q: What’s the name of the red-nosed reindeer featured on many Rudolph specials?
   A: Rudolph.

4. Q: What do Santa’s helpers typically call their workplace (think elf costumes)?
   A: The workshop.

5. Q: What’s the classic way Santa enters homes, according to many Santa storybooks?
   A: Down the chimney.

6. Q: What’s the name of the reindeer who leads Santa’s team in many versions of the story (often shown on reindeer decorations)?
   A: Rudolph.

7. Q: In “The Night Before Christmas,” what does Santa’s belly shake like (great question to ask while holding jelly beans)?
   A: A bowl full of jelly.

8. Q: What is Santa’s traditional suit color (like a classic Santa costume)?
   A: Red.

9. Q: What vehicle does Santa use to deliver presents (you’ll see it on tons of Santa sleigh decor)?
   A: A sleigh.

10. Q: What do kids traditionally leave out for Santa (besides Christmas cookies)?
    A: Milk.

Christmas Movies

1. Q: In Home Alone, what is the name of the boy left behind?
   A: Kevin McCallister.

2. Q: In Elf, what is Buddy’s favorite food group?
   A: Candy.

3. Q: In How the Grinch Stole Christmas, what is the name of the town the Grinch tries to ruin?
   A: Whoville.

4. Q: In The Polar Express, where is the train heading?
   A: The North Pole.

5. Q: In A Christmas Story, what gift does Ralphie want most?
   A: A Red Ryder BB gun.

6. Q: In It’s a Wonderful Life, what is the name of the angel who helps George Bailey?
   A: Clarence.

7. Q: In Miracle on 34th Street, what department store does Kris Kringle work for?
   A: Macy’s.

8. Q: In Christmas Vacation, what is the family’s last name?
   A: Griswold.

9. Q: In Frosty the Snowman, what brings Frosty to life?
   A: A magic hat.

10. Q: In A Charlie Brown Christmas, what kind of tree does Charlie Brown pick?
    A: A small, scraggly tree.

Christmas Songs

1. Q: Which holiday song begins with “Jingle bells…” (you’ll hear it on every Christmas music playlist)?
   A: “Jingle Bells.”

2. Q: Who sings “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (a classic on holiday music CDs)?
   A: Mariah Carey.

3. Q: Which song features “a one-horse open sleigh” (like you might see on sleigh decor)?
   A: “Jingle Bells.”

4. Q: Which holiday song is famously associated with Bing Crosby and often paired with White Christmas?
   A: “White Christmas.”

5. Q: Which song tells you to “deck the halls” (perfect while hanging Christmas garland)?
   A: “Deck the Halls.”

6. Q: Which song repeats “fa la la” (great to sing while wearing ugly Christmas sweaters)?
   A: “Deck the Halls.”

7. Q: In “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” what bird is given on the first day (like in a partridge ornament)?
   A: A partridge in a pear tree.

8. Q: Which song is about “tidings of comfort and joy” (often printed in carol books)?
   A: “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.”

9. Q: Which song asks you to have “a merry little Christmas” (good background for Christmas candles)?
   A: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

10. Q: Which song is known for “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” (especially cozy with a fireplace)?
    A: “The Christmas Song.”

Traditions & Symbols

1. Q: What plant do people traditionally kiss under (often hung with mistletoe decor)?
   A: Mistletoe.

2. Q: What do many families place on top of the tree (like a tree topper star)?
   A: A star (or an angel).

3. Q: What do people hang by the fireplace for gifts (like Christmas stockings)?
   A: Stockings.

4. Q: What sweet striped treat is often associated with Christmas (like peppermint candy canes)?
   A: Candy canes.

5. Q: What is the traditional color combination most associated with Christmas décor (think red and green decorations)?
   A: Red and green.

6. Q: What do people often place outside as a welcoming decoration (like a Christmas wreath)?
   A: A wreath.

7. Q: What do many people put in front of the tree to catch falling needles (like a tree skirt)?
   A: A tree skirt.

8. Q: What’s the name of the baked treat often shaped like a little person (like gingerbread cookie cutters)?
   A: Gingerbread man.

9. Q: What do many families do on Christmas Eve to prepare for morning (like setting out a Santa cookie plate)?
   A: Leave treats for Santa and/or prepare gifts.

10. Q: What popular decoration is made of lights and is displayed indoors or outdoors (like string lights)?
    A: Christmas lights.

Christmas Food & Treats

1. Q: What creamy holiday drink is often made with eggs (like eggnog)?
   A: Eggnog.

2. Q: What warm drink is a Christmas classic topped with marshmallows (like hot cocoa mix with marshmallows)?
   A: Hot cocoa.

3. Q: What cookie is often decorated with icing and sprinkles in December (like Christmas sprinkles)?
   A: Sugar cookies.

4. Q: What spicy cookie is often flavored with ginger and molasses (like molasses)?
   A: Gingerbread.

5. Q: What shape is commonly used for holiday cookies that look like tiny canes (use a candy cane cookie cutter)?
   A: A candy cane shape.

6. Q: What sweet, crunchy holiday snack often comes in a big tin (like a holiday popcorn tin)?
   A: Popcorn (often caramel or flavored).

7. Q: What candy is famously shaped like a cane and often peppermint-flavored (like peppermint candy canes)?
   A: Candy canes.

8. Q: What dessert bread is joked about a lot during the holidays (like fruitcake)?
   A: Fruitcake.

9. Q: What do many families host where everyone brings cookies to share (great with cookie containers)?
   A: A cookie exchange.

10. Q: What sweet decoration is often used on gingerbread houses (like peppermint candies)?
    A: Candy.

History & Around the World

1. Q: Which country is widely credited with popularizing the modern Christmas tree tradition (think German ornaments)?
   A: Germany.

2. Q: In the UK, which royal couple helped popularize the Christmas tree in the 1800s (often mentioned in Christmas history books)?
   A: Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

3. Q: What date is Christmas celebrated in most of the world (like on December calendars)?
   A: December 25.

4. Q: In many Spanish-speaking cultures, what is the special night before Christmas often celebrated with gatherings (great topic with Las Posadas decorations)?
   A: Las Posadas (in many communities).

5. Q: In Italy, what gift-bringer visits around early January in folklore (you might see La Befana ornaments)?
   A: La Befana.

6. Q: What is the name of the Jewish holiday that often overlaps with Christmas season (like a menorah)?
   A: Hanukkah.

7. Q: What is the name of the Mexican Christmas flower commonly used as décor (like poinsettia plants)?
   A: Poinsettia.

8. Q: What’s the well-known winter figure in many countries that you might build with a snowman kit?
   A: A snowman.

9. Q: What’s a traditional Scandinavian Christmas drink that’s often served warm (like mulled wine spices)?
   A: Glögg (mulled wine).

10. Q: What’s the name of the day after Christmas (often printed in holiday planners)?
    A: Boxing Day (commonly in the UK and some countries).

Books, Stories & Characters

1. Q: Who wrote A Christmas Carol?
   A: Charles Dickens.

2. Q: What is the name of the main character who is visited by ghosts in A Christmas Carol?
   A: Ebenezer Scrooge.

3. Q: Who wrote How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
   A: Dr. Seuss.

4. Q: In The Nutcracker, what holiday treat land does the story famously visit?
   A: The Land of Sweets.

5. Q: Who composed the music for The Nutcracker?
   A: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

6. Q: In many versions of the Santa story, what list determines who gets gifts (like a naughty or nice notebook)?
   A: The naughty or nice list.

7. Q: What’s the name of the little wooden soldier often featured in Christmas ballets (like a nutcracker decoration)?
   A: A nutcracker.

8. Q: In classic Christmas nativity stories, where was baby Jesus born (often shown in nativity sets)?
   A: Bethlehem.

9. Q: What is the name of the snowman character in many children’s books and specials (like Frosty books)?
   A: Frosty.

10. Q: In “The Night Before Christmas,” what is Santa called (common in storybook collections)?
    A: St. Nicholas.

Plants, Nature & Classic Decor

1. Q: What red-and-green plant is a holiday favorite (like poinsettias)?
   A: Poinsettia.

2. Q: What plant do people hang for a kiss tradition (like mistletoe)?
   A: Mistletoe.

3. Q: What prickly holiday plant has red berries and is used in decorations (like holly garland)?
   A: Holly.

4. Q: What type of tree is most commonly used as a Christmas tree (like a fir tree)?
   A: Fir (also spruce or pine, depending on region).

5. Q: What winter decoration is made by freezing water into shapes (like snowflake ornaments)?
   A: Icicles.

6. Q: What do you call the spiky evergreen leaves often used in wreaths (like evergreen wreaths)?
   A: Evergreen needles.

7. Q: What fragrant spice is common in holiday scents (like cinnamon sticks)?
   A: Cinnamon.

8. Q: What’s the name of the striped red-and-white pattern found on many holiday items (like peppermint wrapping paper)?
   A: Peppermint stripe (candy cane stripes).

9. Q: What do many people hang on the tree for decoration (like ornament sets)?
   A: Ornaments.

10. Q: What decoration is often shaped like a five-pointed star (like a tree topper star)?
    A: A star.

Kids’ Christmas Fun

1. Q: What do kids often write to Santa with holiday wishes (like letter to Santa kits)?
   A: A letter to Santa.

2. Q: What classic toy soldier decoration is popular on mantels (like nutcracker figurines)?
   A: A nutcracker.

3. Q: What do many families build from a kit with candy and icing (like a gingerbread house kit)?
   A: A gingerbread house.

4. Q: What is the name of the mischievous holiday doll that “watches” kids (like an elf doll)?
   A: Elf on the Shelf (popular tradition name).

5. Q: What do many kids hang to count down the days (like a kids advent calendar)?
   A: An advent calendar.

6. Q: What classic winter figure can be built with a carrot nose (like a snowman accessory kit)?
   A: A snowman.

7. Q: What do families often do together to decorate cookies (using icing piping bags)?
   A: Cookie decorating.

8. Q: What do kids often wear for festive photos (like matching Christmas pajamas)?
   A: Holiday pajamas.

9. Q: What’s a common holiday craft using paper and glue (like a kids craft kit)?
   A: Making ornaments or paper decorations.

10. Q: What do many families do with popcorn and string (using craft string)?
    A: Make popcorn garland.

Christmas Math & “Did You Know?”

1. Q: How many total gifts are given in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (handy if you’re using a calculator)?
   A: 364.

2. Q: How many days are in the “Twelve Days of Christmas” (like in a 12 Days book)?
   A: 12.

3. Q: What is the traditional color of Rudolph’s nose (like in a Rudolph nose light)?
   A: Red.

4. Q: What do you call the star-shaped cookie often used to decorate a tree-themed platter (use star cookie cutters)?
   A: A star cookie.

5. Q: What do you call the act of singing holiday songs door-to-door (with carol songbooks)?
   A: Caroling.

6. Q: What is the name for the evening before Christmas (often printed on a holiday planner)?
   A: Christmas Eve.

7. Q: What do many people light during the holidays for ambiance (like a Christmas scented candle)?
   A: Candles.

8. Q: What’s the name of the baked, spiced house people decorate (like a gingerbread kit)?
   A: Gingerbread house.

9. Q: What do you call a decorative ball hung on a tree (like shatterproof ornaments)?
   A: An ornament.

10. Q: What’s the name of the December month-long season of holiday prep many people enjoy (best paired with an advent calendar)?
    A: Advent (for those who observe it).

Christmas Around the House

1. Q: What do many people use to hang ornaments securely (like ornament hooks)?
   A: Ornament hooks.

2. Q: What do people often use to wrap gifts (like Christmas wrapping paper)?
   A: Wrapping paper.

3. Q: What sticky supply seals wrapping paper (like gift wrap tape)?
   A: Tape.

4. Q: What do you hang lights with on gutters or rails (like Christmas light clips)?
   A: Light clips.

5. Q: What’s the fabric piece under the tree called (like a tree skirt)?
   A: Tree skirt.

6. Q: What do you call the decorative fabric hung across a fireplace (like a mantel garland)?
   A: Garland.

7. Q: What do you call the framed messages people send for the holidays (like Christmas cards)?
   A: Holiday cards.

8. Q: What’s a popular centerpiece decoration shaped like a candle holder with greenery (like an advent wreath)?
   A: An advent wreath.

9. Q: What’s a common outdoor decoration that inflates (like holiday inflatables)?
   A: An inflatable decoration.

10. Q: What tool helps you reach high branches safely when decorating (like a step ladder)?
    A: A step ladder.

Extra-Fun Bonus Trivia

1. Q: Which color is often used for Santa’s suit (like a Santa hat)?
   A: Red.

2. Q: What do you call the decorative ribbon loops on gifts (like gift bows)?
   A: Bows.

3. Q: What do you call the “ringing” holiday decoration often used on wreaths (like jingle bells)?
   A: Bells.

4. Q: What is the name of the classic Christmas ballet often performed in December (like Nutcracker recordings)?
   A: The Nutcracker.

5. Q: What’s the name of the cozy holiday drink made with cocoa and milk (like hot cocoa gift sets)?
   A: Hot cocoa.

6. Q: What do you call the tradition of counting down to Christmas with daily surprises (like an advent calendar)?
   A: Advent countdown (advent calendar tradition).

7. Q: What do you call a decorative sphere hung on trees (like ornament balls)?
   A: Ornaments.

8. Q: What do families often wear for holiday photos (like matching family pajamas)?
   A: Holiday pajamas.

9. Q: What do you call the tradition of decorating a tree with lights (like Christmas string lights)?
   A: Decorating the Christmas tree.

10. Q: What do you call the big holiday meal shared with family (often served on Christmas dinnerware)?
    A: Christmas dinner (or holiday dinner).

Conclusion

Christmas trivia is one of those “everyone can play” activities that instantly makes a party feel more connected, especially when you keep it light and team-based. If you want an easy setup, jot your favorites on blank index cards and toss them in a bowl so anyone can read the next question.

For bigger groups, I love doing 10-question mini-rounds and rotating categories so the energy stays up without dragging. Keep a score pad notebook nearby for points and use a one-minute sand timer to keep answers moving.

If you want to make it extra fun, end with a tiny “winner” prize that feels festive but simple—like something from a Christmas prize assortment. The best part is you can reuse these questions all season long and it never feels the same twice.