Christmas food trivia is a fun way to test knowledge and celebrate holiday traditions. This guide provides 184 questions and answers about festive foods, drinks, and customs from around the world. Use these for holiday parties, family gatherings, or classroom activities.
Christmas Food Trivia Overview
Christmas food traditions vary widely across cultures, but certain dishes and ingredients are closely associated with the holiday season in many parts of the world. This trivia collection covers classic Christmas foods like turkey, pudding, and candy canes, as well as lesser-known regional specialties. The questions range from easy to challenging, making them suitable for both children and adults.
The attached PDF contains the full set of 184 trivia questions and answers, organized into several categories. Continue reading to download it.
General Christmas Food Trivia
- What is roasting on an open fire in Nat King Cole’s ‘The Christmas Song’?
Chestnuts - On which day is Christmas pudding traditionally made?
Sunday, specifically Stir-Up Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent - What coin was traditionally placed in the Christmas pudding mixture?
A sixpence - Besides eggs, milk, and sugar, what is the main ingredient in eggnog?
Cream - Which company popularized Santa Claus’ red and white outfit?
Coca-Cola - What is a Croquembouche tree made of?
Profiteroles - What is a turkey crown?
The body of a turkey without the legs and wings - Which spirit is traditionally poured on top of a Christmas pudding and lit?
Brandy - Where did eggnog originate?
England - What fruit is traditionally included in a Christmas stocking?
An orange or clementine
Christmas Desserts and Sweets
- In which direction should you stir mincemeat for good luck?
Clockwise - What is the French Christmas dessert Bûche de Noël known as in English?
Yule Log - What is another name for a candy cane?
Peppermint stick - What is figgy pudding?
Christmas Pudding - What are the main ingredients in a traditional Christmas pudding?
Suet, egg, molasses, spices, and dried fruits - Where did the gingerbread house tradition originate?
Germany in the 1800s - What are mince pies made of?
Sweet fruits and sugar - What toxic plant is sometimes used to decorate Christmas cakes?
Holly - Which country is Stollen from?
Germany - What is Denmark’s traditional Christmas candy made from?
Marzipan and almonds - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in Iceland?
Laufabrauð (leaf bread) - What is the main flavoring in Pfeffernüsse cookies?
Black pepper - What fruit is traditionally used to make Christmas pudding?
Plums (hence the alternative name ‘plum pudding’) - What is the traditional Italian Christmas cake called?
Panforte - What is the main ingredient in Mexican Christmas buñuelos?
Flour tortillas - What is the traditional Christmas cookie in Austria called?
Vanillekipferl - What is the key ingredient in Scottish Black Bun?
Raisins and currants - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in Belgium?
Cougnou (bread shaped like baby Jesus) - What is the main flavor in Finnish Joulutorttu pastries?
Prune jam - What is the traditional Christmas candy in Canada?
Barley candy
Christmas Main Courses and Side Dishes
- What are the best potatoes for roasting?
Red potatoes - What can you glaze a ham with?
Brown sugar or maple syrup - What does antipasto mean?
The first course of a traditional Italian meal - What was the traditional Christmas meat before turkey became popular?
Goose - What type of cabbage is particularly popular at Christmas?
Red cabbage - What did Queen Elizabeth I have served after the victory over the Spanish Armada?
Roast goose - What is traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve in Southern Italy?
Seafood - What is the traditional Norwegian Christmas dish made from?
Sheep’s head - What is the main dish in a traditional Reveillon dinner in Brazil?
Roast turkey - What is the traditional Christmas main course in Malta?
Imbuljuta tal-Qastan (chestnut and cocoa soup) - What is the main ingredient in the Greek Christmas dish Christopsomo?
Bread - What is the traditional Christmas Eve dish in Slovakia called?
Kapustnica (cabbage soup) - What is the main protein in a traditional Venezuelan Christmas dinner?
Hallacas (a type of tamale) - What is the traditional Christmas main course in Ethiopia?
Doro wat (spicy chicken stew) - What is the main ingredient in the Polish Christmas Eve dish Kutia?
Wheat berries - What is the traditional Christmas main course in Jamaica?
Gungo peas and rice - What is the main protein in a traditional Finnish Christmas dinner?
Ham - What is the traditional Christmas Eve soup in Ukraine called?
Borscht
Christmas Drinks and Beverages
- What is Bombardino, the Italian Christmas drink, made of?
Brandy and Advocaat - Which spirit was traditionally used to make Posset, the original eggnog?
Sherry - What is the traditional Christmas beverage also called “milk punch”?
Eggnog - In “The Christmas Song,” who does the narrator see kissing Santa Claus under the mistletoe?
Mommy - What was the first company to use Santa Claus in advertising?
Coca-Cola - What is the traditional Christmas drink in Puerto Rico?
Coquito - What is the main ingredient in the British Christmas drink Wassail?
Mulled cider - What is the traditional Christmas drink in Germany called?
Glühwein - What is the main flavoring in Mexican Christmas Ponche?
Fruits and cinnamon - What is the traditional Christmas drink in Sweden?
Glögg - What is the main ingredient in the Jamaican Christmas drink Sorrel?
Hibiscus flowers - What is the traditional Christmas drink in Poland called?
Kompot - What is the main flavoring in Austrian Christmas punch?
Rum - What is the traditional Christmas drink in the Netherlands?
Advocaat - What is the main ingredient in the Filipino Christmas drink Tsokolate?
Cocoa
Christmas Food Traditions Around the World
- In which country has KFC become a traditional Christmas dinner?
Japan - What should you not refuse during the 12 days of Christmas to avoid bad luck?
Mince pies - What is Denmark’s traditional Christmas candy made from?
Marzipan and almonds - What is the traditional Norwegian Christmas dish made from?
Sheep’s head - What is Germany’s traditional Christmas bread?
Stollen - In which country is Jansson’s Temptation a traditional Christmas dish?
Sweden - What is the traditional Christmas breakfast in Germany?
Stollen and coffee - In which country is Feast of the Seven Fishes celebrated on Christmas Eve?
Italy - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in Greece?
Melomakarona (honey cookies) - In which country is Julbord a traditional Christmas meal?
Sweden - What is the traditional Christmas Eve meal in Lithuania called?
Kūčios - In which country is Risalamande a traditional Christmas dessert?
Denmark - What is the traditional Christmas bread in the Czech Republic?
Vánočka - In which country is Smalahove a traditional Christmas dish?
Norway - What is the traditional Christmas Eve soup in Hungary called?
Halászlé (fisherman’s soup)
Christmas Food in Popular Culture
- In the movie ‘A Christmas Story’, what is Ralphie’s little brother’s name?
Randy - Which Christmas song contains the lyric “Everyone dancing merrily in the new old-fashioned way?”
“Rocking Around The Christmas Tree” - In the movie ‘Elf’, what was the first rule of “The Code of Elves”?
Treat every day like Christmas - Where did the word and idea “Christmukkah” come from?
The TV show ‘The O.C.’ - In ‘A Christmas Carol’, what was the first name of Scrooge?
Ebenezer
Christmas Food History and Trivia
- What was mince pie once known as in Great Britain?
Mutton pie - In 1983, what chocolatey drink contained the decoded message from Little Orphan Annie?
Ovaltine - Where should the Christmas pickle be hidden according to holiday tradition?
On the Christmas tree itself - From which country did cinnamon sticks originate?
Sri Lanka - What is a lesser-known word for cranberries?
Marsh Whorts - In which century did turkey become popular as a Christmas meal in England?
16th century - What year was the first Christmas pudding recipe published?
1845 - Who invented the Christmas cracker?
Tom Smith, a London confectioner - In which decade did Coca-Cola first use Santa Claus in its advertising?
1930s - What year was the first commercial Christmas card sent?
1843 - Who wrote the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” which popularized leaving cookies for Santa?
Clement Clarke Moore - In which century did the tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace begin?
19th century - What year was the first electric Christmas tree lights patented?
1882 - Who invented the candy cane?
Unknown, but it first appeared in Germany in the 17th century - In which year did Starbucks introduce the Peppermint Mocha as a holiday drink?
2002
True or False Christmas Food Trivia
- True or False: Clark Griswold’s favorite holiday dinner in “Christmas Vacation” is pasta.
True. It’s spaghetti and meatballs. - True or False: In the 16th century, goose was the most commonly served Christmas dinner.
True - True or False: In the UK, 5 million Christmas puddings are sold each year.
False. It’s actually 25 million! - True or False: Early New Englanders gave carrot cookies as holiday gifts.
True - True or False: The Duke of Northumberland had five swans served for Christmas dinner in 1512.
True - True or False: Candy canes were originally straight.
True - True or False: Fruitcake can last for over 25 years.
True - True or False: The tradition of leaving milk and cookies for Santa started in America.
True - True or False: Gingerbread houses were inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel”.
True
Multiple Choice Christmas Food Trivia
- Which of these is not an eggnog ingredient?
A. Eggs
B. Cloves
C. Milk
D. Butter
Answer: D. Butter - What is roasted in “The Christmas Song”?
A. Duck
B. Goose
C. Turkey
D. Chestnuts
Answer: D. Chestnuts - Which of these is a traditional French Christmas dessert?
A. Figgy pudding
B. Apple tarts
C. Buche de Noelle
D. Panettone
Answer: C. Buche de Noelle - Eggnog originated from Anglia, England, but what was it initially?
A. A breakfast drink
B. Baby food
C. A cooking ingredient
D. A type of soup
Answer: A. A breakfast drink - In 1910, Robert Falcon Scott left a fruitcake behind in what unexpected part of the world?
A. The Sahara Desert
B. The Amazon Rainforest
C. Antarctica
D. The Himalayas
Answer: C. Antarctica - Which fruit is traditionally used to make a Christingle?
A. Apple
B. Orange
C. Pear
D. Banana
Answer: B. Orange - What is the main ingredient in a traditional Yule log cake?
A. Vanilla
B. Strawberry
C. Chocolate
D. Lemon
Answer: C. Chocolate - Which spice is not typically used in gingerbread?
A. Cinnamon
B. Ginger
C. Nutmeg
D. Cumin
Answer: D. Cumin - What is the traditional meat for Christmas dinner in Japan?
A. Turkey
B. Ham
C. Chicken
D. Beef
Answer: C. Chicken (from KFC) - Which country originated the tradition of hiding a coin in Christmas pudding?
A. England
B. France
C. Germany
D. Italy
Answer: A. England
Additional Christmas Food Trivia
- What is the traditional Christmas bread of Italy called?
Panettone - In which country is it traditional to eat KFC for Christmas dinner?
Japan - What is the name of the traditional Christmas Eve feast in Poland?
Wigilia - What fruit is traditionally used to make a Christmas wreath in Germany?
Apples - What is the main ingredient in a traditional Christmas pudding?
Dried fruits - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in Australia?
Pavlova - In Greece, what is traditionally baked inside a Christmas bread called Christopsomo?
A coin - What is the traditional Christmas breakfast in Sweden?
Rice pudding - What is the name of the traditional Christmas cookie in the Netherlands?
Speculaas - What is the main ingredient in a traditional Scottish Clootie Dumpling?
Suet - What is the traditional Christmas dinner in Greenland?
Mattak (whale skin with blubber) - What is the name of the traditional Christmas bread in the Czech Republic?
Vánočka - What is the main ingredient in the traditional Finnish Christmas dish, Lanttulaatikko?
Rutabaga - What is the traditional Christmas Eve dinner in Lithuania called?
Kūčios - What is the name of the traditional Christmas cake in Portugal?
Bolo Rei - What is the main ingredient in the traditional Norwegian Christmas dish, Lutefisk?
Dried whitefish - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in France called?
Bûche de Noël - What is the name of the traditional Christmas bread in Russia?
Kulich - What is the main ingredient in the traditional Mexican Christmas dish, Bacalao?
Salt cod - What is the traditional Christmas Eve soup in Slovakia called?
Kapustnica - What is the name of the traditional Christmas cookie in Germany?
Lebkuchen - What is the main ingredient in the traditional Greek Christmas dish, Avgolemono?
Chicken - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in New Zealand called?
Pavlova - What is the name of the traditional Christmas bread in Armenia?
Gata - What is the main ingredient in the traditional Puerto Rican Christmas dish, Pasteles?
Green bananas - What is the traditional Christmas Eve fish dish in Italy called?
Feast of the Seven Fishes - What is the name of the traditional Christmas cookie in Norway?
Krumkake - What is the main ingredient in the traditional Filipino Christmas dish, Bibingka?
Rice flour - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in England called?
Christmas pudding - What is the name of the traditional Christmas bread in Bulgaria?
Koledna pitka - What is the main ingredient in the traditional Hungarian Christmas dish, Halászlé?
Fish - What is the traditional Christmas Eve soup in Poland called?
Barszcz - What is the name of the traditional Christmas cookie in Sweden?
Pepparkakor - What is the main ingredient in the traditional Peruvian Christmas dish, Panettone?
Dried fruits - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in Spain called?
Turrón - What is the name of the traditional Christmas bread in Greece?
Christopsomo - What is the main ingredient in the traditional Brazilian Christmas dish, Rabanada?
Bread - What is the traditional Christmas Eve fish dish in Poland called?
Carp - What is the name of the traditional Christmas cookie in Denmark?
Pebernødder - What is the main ingredient in the traditional Irish Christmas dish, Spiced Beef?
Beef brisket - What is the name of the traditional Christmas bread in Greece?
Christopsomo - What is the main ingredient in Italian Struffoli?
Fried dough balls - What is the traditional Christmas Eve fish in Poland?
Carp - What is the main flavoring in German Lebkuchen?
Honey and spices - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in Australia and New Zealand?
Pavlova - What is the main ingredient in Scottish Clootie Dumpling?
Dried fruits and spices - What is the traditional Christmas breakfast in Finland?
Rice porridge - What is the main ingredient in Mexican Rosca de Reyes?
Sweet bread dough - What is the traditional Christmas drink in Chile?
Cola de Mono - What is the main ingredient in Norwegian Lefse?
Potatoes - What is the traditional Christmas Eve dish in the Philippines?
Noche Buena - What is the main ingredient in French Galette des Rois?
Puff pastry - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in Portugal?
Bolo Rei - What is the main ingredient in Russian Olivier Salad?
Potatoes and mayonnaise - What is the traditional Christmas breakfast in the Netherlands?
Kerststol (Christmas stollen) - What is the main ingredient in Spanish Turrón?
Almonds - What is the traditional Christmas Eve dish in Estonia?
Verivorst (blood sausage) - What is the main ingredient in Irish Spiced Beef?
Corned beef - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in Argentina?
Pan Dulce - What is the main ingredient in Swiss Zimtsterne?
Cinnamon and almonds - What is the traditional Christmas Eve soup in Romania?
Ciorbă de perisoare - What is the main ingredient in Danish Aebleskiver?
Apples - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in Peru?
Panettone - What is the main ingredient in Turkish Boza?
Fermented millet - What is the traditional Christmas Eve dish in Croatia?
Bakalar (dried cod) - What is the main ingredient in Belgian Cougnou?
Sweet bread - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in Colombia?
Natilla - What is the main ingredient in Austrian Vanillekipferl?
Ground almonds or walnuts - What is the traditional Christmas Eve dish in Latvia?
Gray peas with bacon - What is the main ingredient in Lebanese Meghli?
Rice flour and spices - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in Cuba?
Buñuelos - What is the main ingredient in Finnish Joulutorttu?
Puff pastry and prune jam - What is the traditional Christmas Eve dish in Bulgaria?
Koledna pitka (Christmas bread) - What is the main ingredient in South African Malva Pudding?
Apricot jam - What is the traditional Christmas breakfast in France?
Pain au chocolat and hot chocolate - What is the main ingredient in Greek Kourabiedes?
Almonds and powdered sugar - What is the traditional Christmas Eve dish in Lithuania?
Kūčiukai (small sweet pastries) - What is the main ingredient in Ecuadorian Pristiños?
Fried dough with syrup - What is the traditional Christmas dessert in Hungary?
Beigli (poppy seed and walnut rolls) - What is the main ingredient in Icelandic Laufabrauð?
Thin, crisp bread dough
Using the Christmas Food Trivia PDF
The attached PDF provides a printable version of all 184 trivia questions and answers. This format allows for easy use in various settings:
- Print the entire set for a comprehensive trivia game.
- Select specific categories or difficulty levels for targeted quizzes.
- Use as a reference for creating custom trivia games or educational materials.
- Share digitally for virtual holiday gatherings or online trivia events.
The PDF format ensures that the trivia questions are readily available and easy to distribute, making it a valuable resource for holiday entertainment and education.
Using the Christmas Food Trivia
This Christmas trivia set can be used in many ways:
- As a printable quiz for holiday parties
- For family game nights during the festive season
- In classrooms for educational holiday activities
- To spark conversations about food traditions
- As content for blogs or social media posts
The variety of question types and difficulty levels allows you to customize the trivia for your specific audience and purpose.
Benefits of Christmas Food Trivia
Incorporating Christmas food trivia into holiday activities offers several benefits:
- Educational value: Participants learn about food traditions from different cultures.
- Conversation starter: Trivia questions can spark discussions about family traditions and memories.
- Intergenerational appeal: Questions range from simple to challenging, engaging all age groups.
- Cultural awareness: Exploring global Christmas foods promotes understanding of diverse traditions.
- Holiday entertainment: Provides a fun, festive activity for gatherings and parties.
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