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Quizzes > Society & Culture > Culture & Traditions

Christmas True or False Quiz: Can You Get Them All Right?

Dive into Christmas true or false questions and prove your festive knowledge!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a Christmas True or False quiz on a teal background

This Christmas True or False quiz helps you spot which festive facts are real and which are myths, from Santa to carols and traditions. Play for a few minutes to have fun, learn a couple of fun facts, and keep the game going with more quick true-or-false questions .

The tradition of decorating Christmas trees originated in Germany.
False
True
Decorating evergreen trees at Christmas time originated in early modern Germany in the 16th century. The tradition was later popularized in the UK by Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert. German immigrants spread the custom to North America in the 19th century. .
The character of Santa Claus is based solely on a fictional figure created in the 19th century.
True
False
Santa Claus draws inspiration from the historical Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Greek bishop known for gift-giving. The modern jolly image was developed in the 19th century through literature and illustration, notably Clement Clarke Moore's poem and Thomas Nast's drawings. Thus, Santa Claus is not entirely fictional. .
The song 'Jingle Bells' was originally written for Thanksgiving.
False
True
'Jingle Bells' was composed by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 and first published under the title 'The One Horse Open Sleigh'. It was intended for a Thanksgiving church service, not Christmas. Over time, its sleigh bells theme made it popular as a winter holiday song. .
The color red is commonly associated with Christmas due to its representation of holly berries.
True
False
Red has long been linked to Christmas through holly berries, which stand out against evergreen leaves. The color also symbolizes warmth and the robes of Saint Nicholas in many Western traditions. Over time, red became a staple in holiday decorations. .
Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26th in the UK and several Commonwealth countries.
False
True
Boxing Day, observed on December 26th, is a public holiday in the UK, Canada, Australia, and other Commonwealth nations. Its name may derive from the tradition of giving boxed gifts to service workers or charity. The day often involves sporting events and post-Christmas sales. .
Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday in the U.S. until 1870.
True
False
President Ulysses S. Grant signed Christmas into federal law on June 26, 1870. Prior to that, Christmas observance varied by state and community. This declaration standardized its celebration across the country. .
Tinsel was originally made from real silver.
False
True
Tinsel was first created in Germany around 1610 using shredded silver. The metallic strips were designed to imitate the shimmering effect of ice on tree branches. By the 20th century, silver tinsel was largely replaced by safer aluminum. .
The acronym 'Xmas' was a modern slang and not used historically.
False
True
The 'X' in 'Xmas' comes from the Greek letter chi, the first letter of ??????? (Christos). This abbreviation dates back to the 16th century and was used by early Christians. It is not a modern invention or slang term. .
Santa's sleigh is traditionally pulled by six reindeer in the poem 'A Visit from St. Nicholas'.
True
False
The poem names eight reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder (later Donner), and Blitzen. Rudolph was added later in a 20th-century story. Therefore, Santa's original sleigh team consists of eight reindeer. .
Mistletoe is poisonous to humans.
True
False
Mistletoe contains toxic compounds called viscotoxins and lectins. Ingesting its berries or leaves can cause gastrointestinal distress and cardiovascular problems. Keep mistletoe decorations out of reach of children and pets. .
The tradition of sending Christmas cards began in the United States.
False
True
The first commercial Christmas cards were produced in London in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole and artist John Callcott Horsley. They featured a family scene and the greeting 'A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.' The custom later spread to the United States. .
In Japan, Christmas is celebrated as a religious holiday with church services.
False
True
Christmas in Japan is largely a secular event focused on gift-giving, festive illuminations, and commercial promotions. Only a small minority attend church services, as Christianity is practiced by less than 2% of the population. The holiday has been embraced as a romantic and family-oriented occasion. .
In the poem 'A Visit from St. Nicholas', Santa's eyes are described as 'twinkling'.
True
False
Clement Clarke Moore's poem describes Santa with 'His eyes - how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!' These lines helped shape the jovial image of Santa Claus. Moore's vivid language has endured for over two centuries. .
Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker' is traditionally performed on Christmas Eve.
True
False
Although The Nutcracker Ballet is synonymous with the holiday season, it is typically performed throughout December and not specifically on Christmas Eve. The ballet premiered in December 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. Its holiday association developed later in the 20th century. .
The Poinsettia plant is native to Mexico and introduced to the U.S. by Joel Poinsett.
True
False
The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) grows naturally in Mexico and Central America. U.S. diplomat Joel Roberts Poinsett brought samples home in 1825, popularizing the plant as a holiday decoration. December 12th is celebrated as National Poinsettia Day in his honor. .
The first artificial Christmas trees were made in England in the 19th century using insulator brush bristles.
False
True
Early artificial trees in the late 1800s were crafted in Germany and England using green-dyed brush bristles made from goose feathers or wire. These were inspired by toilet brushes and provided a reusable alternative to real fir trees. The design evolved into modern PVC versions. .
In Victorian England, it was common to hide a small pickle ornament in the tree for children to find on Christmas morning.
True
False
The Christmas pickle tradition is widely believed to have originated in the United States in the late 19th century, not Victorian England. There is little historical evidence supporting the story of German origins. The practice involves hiding a glass pickle ornament on the tree for a special reward. .
0
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Study Outcomes

  1. Differentiate Fact from Fiction -

    Analyze popular Christmas traditions and test your ability to distinguish true historical facts from common holiday myths.

  2. Recall Festive Trivia -

    Enhance your memory of seasonal songs, symbols, and treats by answering true or false statements about classic Christmas customs.

  3. Understand Holiday Origins -

    Explore the historical roots of beloved yuletide practices and learn which rituals date back centuries or emerged more recently.

  4. Evaluate Cultural Variations -

    Compare how different regions celebrate Christmas and decide whether certain global traditions are accurately represented.

  5. Boost Seasonal Engagement -

    Use fun true or false Christmas questions to spark conversations, challenge friends, and deepen your festive spirit.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Santa's Red Suit Evolution -

    The iconic red-and-white image of Santa Claus stems from a 1931 Coca-Cola advertising campaign, though Dutch Sinterklaas traditions date back to the 16th century (Smithsonian Institution, 2016). Remember "S.C.A.N." (Saint Nicholas → Coke Ads → American cartoons → Now-ubiquitous) to trace how folklore transformed into the modern jolly figure.

  2. Christmas Tree Origins -

    Decorating evergreen firs began in 16th-century Germany, symbolizing eternal life and winter hope (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2020). Use the mnemonic "FIR = Festive Inception in Rudolph's homeland" to recall "Fir, Iconic, Reformation" when reviewing tree-decorating history.

  3. Yule Log Tradition -

    Burning a Yule log originates from Norse solstice rituals, where families burned large hardwood logs for warmth and good luck (University of Cambridge Folklore Archive, 2018). Think "Yule Use Log" to remember its pagan roots and its Christian adaptation as a festive centerpiece.

  4. "Jingle Bells" First Holiday Hit -

    Written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 for a Thanksgiving service, "Jingle Bells" became one of the earliest popular holiday songs (Library of Congress, 2019). The rhyme "bells tell the tale" helps you recall both the melody's origin and its unexpected start as Thanksgiving music.

  5. Candy Cane Symbolism -

    The red-and-white striped candy cane appeared in Germany around 1847 and was initially shaped like a shepherd's crook to represent the Nativity (National Confectioners Association, 2021). Use "CROOK = Colors Remind Of Our Kindness" to connect its shape and stripes to Christmas themes.

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