40 Christmas True or False Questions — Test Your Knowledge

False. The earliest Christians did not celebrate Christmas at all. December 25th was not widely adopted as the date for Christmas until the 4th century AD, likely chosen to coincide with existing Roman winter solstice festivals.

True. Devout Christians in Germany began bringing decorated trees into their homes in the 16th century. Martin Luther is often credited with adding lighted candles to a tree after being inspired by stars shining through evergreens.

True. In 1647, Oliver Cromwell and the Puritan-led Parliament banned Christmas celebrations in England, considering them too frivolous and linked to Catholic tradition. The ban lasted until the monarchy was restored in 1660.

True. Santa Claus is based on St. Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century Greek Christian bishop known for his generosity to the poor. His reputation for secret gift-giving became the basis for the Santa Claus figure.

False. The "X" in Xmas comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ (Christos). This abbreviation has been used by Christians since at least the 16th century.

False. Santa was already being depicted in a red suit before Coca-Cola's famous 1931 advertising campaign. However, Coca-Cola's illustrations by Haddon Sundblom did help standardize and popularize the jolly, red-suited image we know today.

True. From 1659 to 1681, celebrating Christmas was actually illegal in Boston. Anyone caught observing the holiday could be fined five shillings.

False. Boxing Day has nothing to do with the sport. It likely originated from the tradition of giving Christmas boxes — gifts of money or goods — to servants and tradespeople on the day after Christmas.

True. The McCallister family is on their way to spend Christmas in Paris when 8-year-old Kevin is accidentally left home alone in their suburban Chicago house.

False. The film was considered a box office disappointment when first released. It became a beloved classic decades later, largely because its copyright lapsed and TV stations could air it for free during the holidays.

True. Buddy famously enjoys spaghetti topped with maple syrup, chocolate sauce, marshmallows, and other sweets — a reflection of the elf diet he grew up on at the North Pole.

True. The 1988 action film is set during a Christmas Eve party at Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles. Whether it qualifies as a "Christmas movie" remains one of the great holiday debates.

True. Ralphie Parker desperately wants a "Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle" and is repeatedly told, "You'll shoot your eye out!"

False. Tim Burton produced and conceived the story, but the film was actually directed by Henry Selick. Burton was busy directing Batman Returns during production.

True. After hearing the Whos singing on Christmas morning despite having no presents, the Grinch's "small heart grew three sizes that day."

True. Charles Dickens' 1843 novella has been adapted into well over 20 film and television versions, making it one of the most frequently adapted stories in entertainment history.

True. James Lord Pierpont composed the song in the 1850s and it was originally titled "One Horse Open Sleigh," intended for a Thanksgiving celebration at his church. It became associated with Christmas over time.

True. With estimated sales of over 50 million copies worldwide, "White Christmas" holds the Guinness World Record as the best-selling physical single of all time.

False. Rudolph first appeared in a 1939 coloring book written by Robert L. May for Montgomery Ward. The famous song by Johnny Marks, recorded by Gene Autry, did not come out until 1949.

True. "Stille Nacht" was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber with lyrics by Joseph Mohr in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. It was first performed on Christmas Eve that year.

False. Carey and co-writer Walter Afanasieff worked on the song over several sessions in August 1994. While the melody reportedly came together quickly, the full production took considerably longer than 15 minutes.

True. On December 16, 1965, Gemini 6 astronauts Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra performed "Jingle Bells" using a smuggled harmonica and sleigh bells, making it the first song played in space.

True. The 1984 charity single was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure under the name Band Aid, featuring major British and Irish pop artists. Proceeds went to Ethiopian famine relief.

False. The twelve days of Christmas traditionally refer to the period from Christmas Day (December 25th) to Epiphany (January 6th), not the days leading up to Christmas.

True. According to legend, St. Nicholas threw bags of gold coins down a chimney to help a poor man with three daughters. The gold landed in stockings that had been hung by the fire to dry.

True. Thanks to a hugely successful 1974 marketing campaign called "Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii" (Kentucky for Christmas), millions of Japanese families order KFC every Christmas. Orders are often placed weeks in advance.

True. Most species of mistletoe are toxic if ingested. The berries and leaves contain compounds that can cause gastrointestinal distress. Despite being a kissing tradition, it should be kept away from children and pets.

True. Poinsettias are native to Mexico and Central America. The plant is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, who brought it to the United States in 1828.

False. Candy canes are believed to have originated in Germany around the 17th century. According to legend, a choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral bent sugar sticks into the shape of a shepherd's crook to keep children quiet during Nativity services.

True. Icelandic folklore features 13 Yule Lads (Jólasveinar) who each come down from the mountains one per night starting December 12th. They leave gifts in shoes for good children and rotten potatoes for naughty ones.

False. Advent calendars originated in Germany in the 19th century. Early versions involved marking chalk lines on doors or lighting candles. The first printed Advent calendar is credited to Gerhard Lang in the early 1900s.

False. Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker received lukewarm reviews at its 1892 premiere in St. Petersburg. It did not become a beloved holiday staple until American ballet companies began staging it regularly in the 1950s and 1960s.

False. Eggnog evolved from a medieval British drink called posset, made with hot milk curdled with ale or wine and spices. English colonists brought the recipe to America, where rum and bourbon became the spirits of choice.

True. While gingerbread itself dates back centuries, the tradition of building elaborate gingerbread houses surged in popularity in Germany after the Brothers Grimm published their version of "Hansel and Gretel" in 1812, which features a house made of bread, cake, and sugar.

True. A properly made fruitcake soaked in alcohol can be preserved for months or even years. The sugar, alcohol, and dried fruit act as natural preservatives. Some families age fruitcakes for a year or more before serving.

False. While cookies and milk is the standard in the United States, many countries have their own versions. Children in the UK leave mince pies and sherry, Australian kids leave beer and snacks, and Danish children leave rice pudding for Nisse (elves).

True. Christmas pudding has roots in medieval England, evolving from a 14th-century porridge called "frumenty." The rich, dense pudding we recognize today took shape by the 17th century.

False. There is no historical evidence linking peppermint flavor to the star of Bethlehem. Peppermint was simply a popular and affordable flavor during the period when candy canes became widespread. Various religious meanings attributed to candy canes are modern inventions.

True. Turkey became the dominant Christmas dinner centerpiece in Britain during the 20th century, replacing goose. Around 10 million turkeys are eaten in the UK each Christmas.

True. As homes became smaller and large fireplaces less common in 19th-century France, bakers began creating log-shaped cakes to represent the traditional Yule log that families once burned throughout the Christmas season.