35 questions and answers pertaining to the most wonderful time of the year
Q1: In what country did eggnog originate?
A: England
Q2: Which department store was featured in the film Miracle on 34th Street?
A: Macy’s
Q3: Research shows that people who are born during winter months are less likely to suffer from what disorder caused by lack of sunlight?
A: Seasonal Affective Disorder
Q4: During the eight nights of Hanukkah, Jews light a candle to pay tribute to a miracle that occurred back in what year BCE?
A: 165
Q5: What is the best-selling Christmas song ever?
A: “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby
Q6: What is the name of George Bailey’s guardian angel in It’s A Wonderful Life?
A: Clarence Odbody
Q7: Although most people know snow to be white, it is technically colorless. Snow can become purple, orange, green, or yellow when these environmental particles settle on it.
A: Dust or algae (I guess dog pee works too?)
Q8: How many days of Kwanzaa are there?
A: 7
Q9: What comedic actress played the mother of Cindy Lou Who in the 2000 live action version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
A: Molly Shannon
Q10: Although it seems like a huge deal in the United States, the Jewish religion places more importance on what other two Jewish holidays than it does on Hanukkah?
A: Rosh Hashanah and Passover
Q11: What fairytale inspired the first gingerbread houses?
A: “Hansel and Gretel”
Q12: The Iranian festival of Yalda occurs on the longest and darkest night of the year. In Western cultures, this day is commonly known as what?
A: Winter Solstice
Q13: In the movie Elf, what does the department store Santa smell like?
A: Beef and cheese
Q14: Many traditional foods of Hanukkah are cooked in what?
A: Hot oil—they’re fried
Q15: The writers of the popular sitcom “Seinfeld” created which winter holiday?
A: Festivus
Q16: What part of Frosty the Snowman’s wardrobe magically made him come to life?
A: Hat (an old silk hat)
Q17: Who was the director of the first Home Alone movie?
A: Chris Columbus
Q18: Who was the first U.S. president to recognize Hanukkah in the White House?
A: Jimmy Carter in 1979
Q19: What’s the name of the main villain in The Nightmare Before Christmas?
A: Oogie Boogie
Q20: It’s commonly known that salt is used to melt ice, but unfortunately it’s not the most eco-friendly solution. What are some environmentally friendly alternatives used to melt ice?
A: Pickle brine, beet juice, beer waste, cheese brine, sand, coffee grinds, alfalfa meal, urea, kitty litter
Q21: Each side of a dreidel features a Hebrew character. How many sides do dreidels have?
A: 4
Q22: What was the real name of the character Tim Allen plays in The Santa Clause?
A: Scott Calvin
Q23: In the song “Jingle Bells”, who was seated next to me a day or two ago?
A: Miss Fanny Bright
Q24: What 1988 Bruce Willis action-thriller movie is sometimes considered a Christmas movie?
A: Die Hard
Q25: Stonehenge was set up to frame the sunset when one of the Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt away from the Sun. What is this event called?
A: Winter solstice
Q26: Which three colors are used in Kwanzaa?
A: Black, red, and green
Q27: What actor voiced six different animated characters in The Polar Express?
A: Tom Hanks
Q28: During what year did the first Winter Olympics take place?
A: 1924
Q29: Thanksgiving and Hanukkah overlapped in 2013, and thus the term “Thanksgivukkah” was coined. In what year will Thanksgiving and Hanukkah overlap next?
A: 2070
Q30: What country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree?
A: Germany
Q31: In Home Alone, where are the McCallisters going on vacation when they leave Kevin behind?
A: Paris
Q32: How many sides do snowflakes almost always have?
A: 6
Q33: The word “Kwanzaa” comes from which language?
A: Kiswahili or Swahili
Q34: What is the name of the helper candle on the Hanukkah menorah?
A: Shamash
Q35: How many gifts in total were given in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” song?
A: 364