12 Days Of Christmas Traditions 2025
8th December 2025 by Teresa W
Another Christmas Batch Of Traditions That Never Cease To Amaze. Can You Identify These?
Christmas General Knowledge Quiz
Fancy a few minutes break? Once again we're delving in to trivia of Christmas traditions around the world. Why not see how many correct answers you and your friends/colleagues can find tucked away in the back of your mind?
If you like this, you can still play my 2025 Christmas themed quiz.
Quiz: 12 Days of Christmas Traditions 2025
Day 1
Question: Partying in December originated in Ancient Rome with a festival called what?
- Lupercalia
- Ludi Romani
- Saturnalia
Answer: C. Saturnalia. It was a festival in honour of the god Saturn and Romans decorated their houses and streets with wreaths and decorations. Lupercalia was on 15th February and the festival was to purify the city. Ludi Romani was between 12th and 14th September and was the time for public games, in honour of Jupiter.
Day 2
Question: In Medieval times, what was banned in December in preparation for Christmas?
- Treats and luxury foods
- Singing and dancing
- Working
Answer: A. No luxuries were allowed for four weeks before Christmas. And then on Christmas Day, people had a meal of plum porridge and stewed meat with dried fruit and Yule loaves.
Day 3
Question: The Nutcracker ballet is a traditional one to watch at Christmas. Who composed the music?
- Stravinsky
- Tchaikovsky
- Prokofiev
Answer: B. Tchaikovsky. The ballet had its debut in St Petersburg in 1892 and was loved by the public but not the critics so much.
Day 4
Question: Gingerbread houses are seen around Christmas time. Which country did they originate from?
- Germany
- Switzerland
- Austria
Answer: A. Germany. It is thought that gingerbread houses started in Germany between 16th and 18th centuries and probably came to the UK in the 19th century.
Day 5
Question: Christmas crackers were invented in London by whom?
- Paul Smith
- John Smith
- Tom Smith
Answer: C. Tom Smith. He was a confectioner and made a bonbon wrapped in paper, fastened with a twist. The sweet was eventually replaced with a message and a small token.
Day 6
Question: Which of these is not a carol?
- Holly Berries
- Six Jolly Miners
- Jacob's Well
Answer: A. Holly Berries. The other carols are local to Sheffield and North Derbyshire and are sung in and around the area from 11th November. Other carols are Hail! Smiling Morn, Bradda Anthem, Old Foster and Mount Moriah.
Day 7
Question: The King's speech was first broadcast on a terrestrial TV station in which year?
- 1949
- 1950
- 1957
Answer: C. 1957. Queen Elizabeth II gave the first televised Christmas speech but the very first broadcast was on radio and was by King George V in 1932.
Day 8
Question: In which country did pantomimes originate?
- Switzerland
- Spain
- Italy
Answer: C Italy. Pantomimes are thought to come from 'Commedia dell'Arte' performed in Italy in the 16th century. Early versions of pantomimes arrived in England in the early 18th century.
Day 9
Question: Who sang the very first Christmas pop single to reach no. 1 in 1952?
- Dickie Valentine
- Al Martino
- Elvis
Answer: B. Al Martino. He sang 'Here in my Heart' a romantic ballad and it had topped the US charts earlier in the year.
Day 10
Question: Mob football, a medieval game, is the forerunner of which Christmas event?
- Boxing Day Football Match
- New Year's Day Rugby Match
- Christmas Day Tug of War
Answer: A. Boxing Day Football Match. Up until fairly recently, the working class preferred to be outside at Christmas time because present giving wasn't as important as it is now, their houses weren't that comfortable and as it was a day off, they wanted to spend it outside.
Day 11
Question: Which piece of greenery that we associate with Christmas was hung outside to ward of evil spirits?
- Pine branch
- Mistletoe
- Holly bough
Answer: B. Mistletoe. Mistletoe was associated with peace and people who met beneath it were forbidden from fighting, even if they were sworn enemies.
Day 12
Question: When were Christmas decorations usually removed from houses before the Victorians said that it had to be on Twelfth Night?
- Candlemas
- Shrove Tuesday
- Boxing Day
Answer: A. Candlemas, 2nd February. Candlemas used to be the traditional time for taking down the decorations. They could be left up until Shrove Tuesday but the decorations must be burnt and you must make pancakes over the flames, otherwise goblins will come into the house and make mischief.
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