Father Christmas Quiz

How much do you know about Father Christmas? Find out in this quiz.

The recognisably modern figure of the English Father Christmas developed in the late Victorian period. Santa Claus became part and parcel of American culture by the mid 19th century. The UK Father Christmas and the American Santa Claus became more and more alike over the years and are now one and the same.

Father Christmas Quiz - Questions

1. According to North American tradition, Santa lives in which part of the world?
2. The legend of Father Christmas can be traced back hundreds of years to which fourth-century bishop?
3. Before the middle of the Victorian era what colour suit was Father Christmas depicted wearing?



4. What was the name of the iconic department store Santa in the 1947 classic Christmas film Miracle on 34th Street?
5. The poem "The Night Before Christmas" has been called "arguably the best-known verses ever written by an American" and is largely responsible for some of the conceptions of Santa Claus from the mid-nineteenth century to today – who wrote this poem in 1823?
6. The Macy’s Santa has appeared at almost every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since it began in which decade of the twentieth century?
7. The name Santa Claus evolved from Sinter Klaas, a nickname for Saint Nicholas - what language is Sinter Klaas?
8. An editorial called "Is There a Santa Claus?" appeared in the September 21, 1897, edition of The New York Sun. It’s now become part of popular American Christmas folklore, what was the name of the little girl the editorial replied to?
9. In which country did the real St Nicholas live?
10. In the 2003 Christmas comedy film Elf, who plays Santa Claus?
11. In 1973, who wrote and illustrated the British children's picture book called Father Christmas?
12. Which country’s postal service has given Santa the post code H0H 0H0?
13. Which modern addition to the "story" of Santa was created by Robert L. May in 1939?
14. On Christmas Eve children often leave mince pies for Father Christmas, what do they usually leave for his hungry reindeers?
15. "Do the fairies keep him sober for a day" is a line about Santa from which popular Christmas song?
16. In which country’s tradition does Santa ride on a goat made of straw called Ukko?
17. “He's making a list and checking it twice; gonna find out who's naughty and nice” – what is the next line of this 1934 song?
18. Noel Baba is which country’s version of Father Christmas?
19. Who was first mentioned in the 1849 short story "A Christmas Legend" by missionary James Rees?
20. The image of Santa as a portly white-bearded gentleman dressed in a red suit with a black belt was developed by illustrator Haddon Sundblum for which company’s advertisements from 1931?

Father Christmas Quiz - Questions and Answers

1. According to North American tradition, Santa lives in which part of the world?
   Answer – The North Pole
2. The legend of Father Christmas can be traced back hundreds of years to which fourth-century bishop?
   Answer – St. Nicholas
3. Before the middle of the Victorian era what colour suit was Father Christmas depicted wearing?
   Answer - Green
4. What was the name of the iconic department store Santa in the 1947 classic Christmas film Miracle on 34th Street?
   Answer – Macy's
5. The poem "The Night Before Christmas" has been called "arguably the best-known verses ever written by an American" and is largely responsible for some of the conceptions of Santa Claus from the mid-nineteenth century to today – who wrote this poem in 1823?
   Answer – Clement Moore (Clement Clarke Moore)
6. The Macy’s Santa has appeared at almost every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since it began in which decade of the twentieth century?
   Answer – 1920s (1924)
7. The name Santa Claus evolved from Sinter Klaas, a nickname for Saint Nicholas - what language is Sinter Klaas?
   Answer - Dutch
8. An editorial called "Is There a Santa Claus?" appeared in the September 21, 1897, edition of The New York Sun. It’s now become part of popular American Christmas folklore, what was the name of the little girl the editorial replied to?
   Answer – Virginia (“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" is the famous quote)
9. In which country did the real St Nicholas live?
   Answer - Turkey
10. In the 2003 Christmas comedy film Elf, who plays Santa Claus?
    Answer – Ed Asner
11. In 1973, who wrote and illustrated the British children's picture book called Father Christmas?
    Answer – Raymond Briggs
12. Which country’s postal service has given Santa the post code H0H 0H0?
    Answer – Canada
13. Which modern addition to the "story" of Santa was created by Robert L. May in 1939?
    Answer - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
14. On Christmas Eve children often leave mince pies for Father Christmas, what do they usually leave for his hungry reindeers?
    Answer - Carrots
15. "Do the fairies keep him sober for a day" is a line about Santa from which popular Christmas song?
    Answer - Merry Christmas Everybody (by Slade)
16. In which country’s tradition does Santa ride on a goat made of straw called Ukko?
    Answer -Finland’s
17. “He's making a list and checking it twice; gonna find out who's naughty and nice” – what is the next line of this 1934 song?
    Answer - Santa Claus is coming to town
18. Noel Baba is which country’s version of Father Christmas?
    Answer – Turkey’s
19. Who was first mentioned in the 1849 short story "A Christmas Legend" by missionary James Rees?
    Answer – Mrs. Claus
20. The image of Santa as a portly white-bearded gentleman dressed in a red suit with a black belt was developed by illustrator Haddon Sundblum for which company’s advertisements from 1931?
    Answer - Coca-Cola