Christmas Books (10 points)
- In the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, what two presents did Father Christmas give to Lucy?
A dagger and healing cordial
- Which story begins with: “Marley was dead: to begin with” and who wrote it?
A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
- Who wrote The Snowman and how many words does it contain?
Raymond Briggs, none.
- Which two biblical gospels contain the story of Jesus’ nativity?
Luke and Matthew
- Who wrote A Boy Called Christmas and what was its sequel called?
Matt Haig. The Girl Who Saved Christmas
Christmas Traditions (10 points)
- Which country first invented the Advent Calendar and when (nearest half century)?
Germany, 1908
- What year was the first: Royal Christmas Message first broadcast? (3 years either way) 1932 and the first Christmas Special for Mrs Brown’s Boys aired? (1 year either way) 2012
- Who is dancing with professional Neil Jones in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special? And what is the surname of the injured finalist from this year’s series?
Mel Giedroyc, AJ Odudu
- The fir tree in Trafalgar Square comes from which country, and why do they send it to Britain every year?
Norway, as thanks for help during World War II
- Which decade saw the start of Coca-Cola’s red Santa advertising campaign? And before Coca-Cola got involved, what was the traditional colour for Father Christmas’s coat?
The 1930s. Green.
Christmas Songs (10 points)
- Who wrote White Christmas and who sang it first in film?
Irving Berlin and Bing Crosby
- In which year did Ernie become the Christmas No 1 for Benny Hill (1 year either way) and who was Ernie’s rival for Sue’s affections? Two-ton Ted from Teddington
- Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas was no 2 in last year’s Christmas singles list. Which year was it originally released and which song kept it off the top back then?
1994 and Stay Another Day (by East 17)
- Name the Christmas Carols based on the second verse:
From God our Heavenly Father, A blessed Angel Came
And unto certain shepherds, Brought Tidings of the Same
How that in Bethlehem was born the son of God in Name
Answer: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Christ By Highest Heaven Adored, Christ the Everlasting Lord
Late in Time Behold Him Come, Offspring of the Favoured One
Veil’d in Flesh the Godhead See, Hail th’Incarnate Deity
Pleased as Man with Man to Dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel
Answer: Hark the Herald Angels Sing!
- 1973 saw a slug-fest for the Xmas British no 1 spot between songs which are now perennial favourites. Which two bands were involved?
Slade (Merry Xmas Everybody) and Wizzard (I wish It Could Be Xmas Every Day)
Christmas Films (12 points)
- In a muppet Christmas Carol, who plays Ebeneezer Scrooge and who plays Charles Dickens?
Michael Caine and Gonzo
- In which city is Home Alone set? And where is the sequel set?
Chicago and New York
- Who are the two male stars in the 1954 film White Christmas?
Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye
- What is the festive name of John McClane’s wife in Die Hard and who was played by Alan Rickman? (First names only will do)
Holly and Hans
- In Frozen, which Kingdom does Anna come from and what is her fiancée a Prince of?
Arendelle, and (Prince Hans of) the Southern Isles
- In Love Actually, who plays the love interest for Hugh Grant’s Prime Minister and who for Bill Nighy’s rock singer?
Martine McCutcheon and Gregor Fisher
BONUS QUESTION
Christmas Day falls on a Saturday this year. When did that last happen?
2010
