Holiday & Winter Trivia

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