Quiz: The History of Christmas Customs and Decorations

A living room decorated for Christmas (Yuganov Konstantin from Shutterstock)

Christmas traditions often vary from culture to culture, but they commonly include festive activities such as decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, and attending religious services. 

Some families have unique traditions that have been passed down through generations, like baking special holiday cookies, singing carols, or participating in charitable activities to help those in need. The atmosphere created by these traditions and decorations contributes to the joy and warmth of the Christmas season. 
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How much do you know about Christmas? Let's find out. 

It is time to put your Christmas knowledge to the test. 

Click on the button at the end to download the PDFs, with and without key. 



QUIZ TIME! 



Multiple-choice test 


1. What was the primary association of Christmas for most of its history? 
  A. Giving gifts 
  B. Celebrating with family 
  C. Feasting 
  D. Religious observance 

2. What ancient civilizations had the tradition of bringing evergreens into the home during the winter solstice? 
  A. Ancient Egypt and Greece 
  B. Ancient Egypt and Rome 
  C. Ancient Rome and Persia 
  D. Ancient Greece and Persia 

3. What do holly and ivy symbolize in relation to winter and spring? 
  A. Fertility and love 
  B. Death and destruction 
  C. Wealth and prosperity 
  D. Luck and renewal 

4. What was the purpose of bringing holly into the home during the winter months? 
  A. To attract fairies 
  B. To ward off evil spirits 
  C. To celebrate Christmas 
  D. To decorate for spring 

5. What symbolized new life at the darkest part of the year in Christmas decorations? 
  A. Holly and ivy 
  B. Christmas trees 
  C. Glass baubles 
  D. Tinsel 

6. What type of ornaments were originally used to decorate Christmas trees? 
  A. Edible items 
  B. Tinsel 
  C. Glass baubles 
  D. Plastic ornaments 

7. What type of lights were first attached to Christmas trees? 
  A. Fairy lights 
  B. Electric lights 
  C. Candles 
  D. LED lights 

8. What was the first type of tinsel made from? 
  A. Plastic 
  B. Tin foil 
  C. Leftover metal shavings 
  D. Glass 

9. What type of Christmas tree decorations became popular in the 19th century? 
  A. Plastic ornaments 
  B. Glass baubles 
  C. Tinsel 
  D. Candles 

10. What did the decorations on Christmas trees evolve to include in the 19th century? 
  A. Only edible items 
  B. Angels and the star 
  C. Only lights 
  D. Only tinsel 


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Get the answers here. 


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True-or-false test 


1. The custom of giving presents at Christmas was established in the 4th century. 
  True 
  False 
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2. Evergreen plants like holly and ivy were brought indoors during the winter because they were believed to bring luck and assure the return of spring. 
  True 
  False 

3. The custom of leaving gifts for children in hung-up stockings is linked to the feast of St. Nicholas. 
  True 
  False 

4. The custom of hanging stockings for gifts became popular in the mid-19th century. 
  True 
  False 

5. The first decorations on Christmas trees were primarily made of non-edible items. 
  True 
  False 

6. Tinsel was originally made from leftover metal shavings. 
  True 
  False 

7. The first lights attached to Christmas trees were electric lights. 
  True 
  False 

8. The Christmas tree tradition originated in America. 
  True 
  False 

9. The tradition of decorating Christmas trees became popular in Britain and America in the mid-19th century. 
  True 
  False 

10. The German Christmas tree tradition was popularized in the English-speaking world by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. 
  True 
  False 

GET THE ANSWERS HERE.

The answers can be accessed via Google Drive. Click to download immediately.

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