In keeping with the holiday spirit, we’re doing something a little bit different for our Advice Paradise column this month. We’re posting some Christmas trivia questions and answers. So if you’re looking for a mish-mash of seasonal trivia questions, you’ve come to the right place. Enjoy!
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1. What Christmas decoration’s name is derived from Anglo-Saxon words that literally mean “dung on a twig?”
Answer: Mistletoe. This parasitic plant is spread through bird droppings on tree branches.
2. How did poinsettias get their name?
Answer: In 1825, American statesman and amateur botanist Joel Poinsett brought them back from a trip to Mexico, where they grow wild.
3. In what country do many people put up Christmas decorations in September and leave them up through January?
Answer: The Philippines.
4. Which Christmas song has been recorded more than any other?
Answer: “Silent Night.”
5. In total, how many birds are given to the recipient in “The 12 Days of Christmas?”
Answer: 23. (Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtledoves, and one partridge in a pear tree.)
6. Who put up the first ever Christmas light display?
Answer: Thomas Edison, to market his light bulb invention. String lights were invented a few years later.
7. What fairy tale inspired the invention of gingerbread houses?
Answer: Hansel and Gretel.
8. What is the most popular Christmas Eve dinner in Japan?
Answer: Kentucky Fried Chicken.
9. Which fruit was used to fill stockings when the tradition of hanging them first began?
Answer: Oranges.
10. In what year did NORAD start tracking Santa’s location on Christmas Eve?
Answer: 1955.
If you need some fun facts to put together a Christmas game for your family, there’s no shortage of surprising knowledge to choose from. We hope you’ve enjoyed our selection of trivia questions and answers. Merry Christmas!
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Do you have a question? Send it to mail@homeschoolingteen.com and we will share it with the Advice Paradise team to be posted (anonymously, of course) in the next issue of Homeschooling Teen.