1 Which is the only species of deer in which both males and females have antlers ?
[They are the only ones who have been reported to fly] Reindeer or Caribou
2 With which familiar Christmas 'animal' song did Gene Autry have a hit in 1949 ? Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer
3 She also wrote 'The Railway Children' - who wrote a Christmas story entitled 'The Conscience Pudding', in which a Christmas pudding is undercooked & tastes of soap ? E. Nesbit
4 Which was the first to hold a colourful Christmas parade - New York or Toronto ? Toronto
(Toronto 1905, NY 1925)
5 In which country is the Christmas Eve dinner called the 'Black Fast' or 'Night of cakes', when boiled salt cod & potatoes are eaten and puddings, pies and cakes are made ? Ireland
6 In which country do kids "cry up the lum" shouting Christmas wishes up the chimney ? Scotland
7 In which country is the town of Oaxaca (say "O-axe-a-ka") where they celebrate the 'Night of the Radishes' in which large radishes are elaborately carved to depict scenes from the nativity and from Aztec legend ? Mexico
8 In the song, what did "my true love send to me" on the eighth day of Christmas ? 8 Maids a Milking
9 True or false: the inventor of Christmas crackers called them Cossacks at first, because the noise they made reminded him of the sound of a Cossack whip ? True
10 Which leader of England's Parliament outlawed Christmas in 1647 ? Oliver Cromwell
11 Three gentlemen with the surnames Borman, Lovell and Anders were the first people to spend Christmas Day where … ? In space
12 Co-written by Rolf Harris; which creatures draw Santa's sleigh across Australia in the song 'Six White Boomers' ? Kangaroos
13 True or false: on his first Christmas day at Hogwarts, Harry receives a jumper knitted by Ron Weasley's mum and a cloak of invisibility that had once belonged to his father ? True
14 Which well-known fantasy author also wrote the book The Father Christmas Letters' ?
[A film based on one of his books opened in British cinemas on December 18th] J.R.R. Tolkien
15 Originally a radio script it has since been put out as a book; which very famous author wrote the charming semi-autobiographical story 'A Child's Christmas in Wales' ? Dylan Thomas
16 Which U.N. children's organisation produced the first charity Christmas card in 1949 ? UNICEF
17 Which bird was traditionally hunted & killed on Boxing Day because its chattering was said to have given away St Stephen's hiding place, leading to his martyrdom ? Wren
18 In which country is the tradition of erecting Christmas trees said to have originated ? Germany
19 True or false: The Holy Days & Fasting Days Act of 1551 (not yet been repealed) sets out that every citizen must attend a Christian church service on Christmas Day ? True
20 26 December 1948, which famous philosopher delivered the first 'Reith Lecture' ? Bertrand Russell
21 Which Nobel prize winning author drafted King George V's very first Christmas Day broadcast speech for him, no doubt covering more than just the bare necessities ? Rudyard Kipling
22 Which Christmas carol features the line "Bearing gifts we traverse afar" ? We Three Kings Of Orient Are
23 On Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas' who sang the opening line "At Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid" ? Paul Young
24 In a popular Christmas-time song, who or what was brought to life by an old silk hat ? Frosty the Snowman
25 Good King Wenceslas was King (actually a Duke) of which country ?
[its not a country now, although it is a major region within a European country] Bohemia
Tiebreakers
Q1 In which year did Queen Elizabeth II deliver her first Christmas Day address ? 1952
Q2 Later turned into a much-loved Disney film; which J. M. Barrie play had its first London performance on December 27th 1904 ? Peter Pan
Q3 In the song 'The 12 Days of Christmas', how many different kinds of bird did "my true love send to me" ? Six (Partridge, Turtle Doves, French Hens, Calling Birds, Geese, Swans)
Q4 Which famous German religious leader is said to have been the first person to have the idea of putting candles (lights) on Christmas trees ? Martin Luther
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