[Christmas Trivia] Liven up with a quiz! Little-known fun facts you might not expect

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

“Why is Christmas on December 25 in the first place?” “What’s the origin of Santa Claus?” These are the kinds of Christmas questions that often pop up during gatherings with family and friends.In this article, we’ll share plenty of lesser-known Christmas trivia and party-ready quizzes that are sure to liven things up!From classic topics to surprising facts that will make you say, “Wow!”, we’ve gathered a wide range.It’ll definitely come in handy when you’re short on conversation starters or want to spice up an event.Take your time and have a look!

[Christmas Trivia] Liven things up with a quiz! Surprisingly little-known facts (11–20)

What is the origin of the “stocking” hung up at Christmas?

A custom imbued with wishes to become wealthy
From the legend that Santa Claus secretly delivered presents to a poor household
A practice that developed to protect feet from the winter cold.

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From the legend that Santa Claus secretly delivered presents to a poor household

The custom of hanging stockings at Christmas originates from a legend that Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) tossed gold coins down the chimney of a poor household, and they fell into stockings that had been hung to dry by the fireplace. From this, the practice of receiving presents in stockings was born.

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Who was the person that Santa Claus was modeled after?

Saint Sirius
Jesus Christ
Saint Nicholas

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Saint Nicholas

He was a bishop who actually lived around the late 3rd to 4th century. According to various theories, when he distributed his own wealth to poor children, he made use of chimneys, which is said to be the origin of Santa’s gift-giving. Incidentally, the Dutch pronunciation of “Saint Nicholas” corresponds to “Santa Claus.”

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KEI

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What does the pine used at Christmas symbolize?

Longevity (eternal life)
Improved financial luck
Good luck and prosperity

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Longevity (eternal life)

Because pine trees stay green all year, they are said to symbolize “eternal life” and “hope” at Christmas. For that reason, they are often used to decorate wreaths and trees.

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What does the red color of Christmas represent?

fire
strawberry
Blood of Christ

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Blood of Christ

Red, which has become a symbolic color in Christianity. Because Christ took on and shed the blood of all people, it signifies “love and generosity,” and this overlaps with the red of Santa’s clothing.

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When will the first Christmas in Japan be?

Muromachi period
Kamakura period
Edo period

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Muromachi period

It is said that the first Christmas Mass was held in Yamaguchi in 1552 at the request of the missionary Francis Xavier.

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Why do people eat chicken at Christmas in Japan?

Imitated foreign customs as they are
Because it is officially stipulated
Because there are few turkeys.

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Because there are few turkeys.

Turkey is popular in the United States, but in Japan it’s hard to find because there aren’t many available. It also seems that a certain fried chicken chain boosted its popularity by promoting sales tied to special events. By the way, the custom of eating turkey took hold when immigrants who had come from Europe to America gave turkeys to Indigenous peoples who were suffering from hunger.

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[Christmas Trivia] Liven up with quizzes! Surprising facts you might not know (21–30)

What does the Christmas color white mean?

purity; chastity
snow
Silver

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purity; chastity

It represents the purity of Christ. It’s also the color of snow and evokes an image of embracing everything. It also seems to carry meanings like “peace” and “beginning.”

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