As the festive season approaches, I’d like to take a moment to thank you for being part of my amazing journey throughout the year and subscribing to my thought and poems blog. Your support means the world to me!

To spread some seasonal cheer, I’m thrilled to share our Annual Christmas Quiz – a fun and festive way to test your holiday and general knowledge! 🎅✨

Take a few minutes to enjoy the quiz below. It’s packed with brainteasers, Christmas trivia, and a sprinkle of holiday magic. 🧑‍🎄

🎁 How It Works:

  • Simply answer the questions at your own pace.
  • The answers will be revealed in my next blog – so stay tuned!

🎄 Here’s Wishing You:

  • A joyous Christmas filled with laughter, love, and a touch of mischief (because what’s Christmas without surprises? 😉).

Places - Kicking off name these places (countries or names accepted)

Scottish Episodes

  1. Mike Denness is the only native-born Scotsman to have captained England at which sport?
  2. “Mater” is an old-fashioned term for which family member?
  3. Which Scottish actor played the violent psychopath Begbie in the 1996 film Trainspotting?
  4. Almost Scottish - What is the name of Kevin McCallister’s neighbour in “Home Alone
  5. How many Scrabble points for the word ‘Christmas’ plus the word Scottish?

Christmas Football

Name the Football Teams

Three Wise Films

From these clues find the three Christmas films in each statement (9 festive films to watch over this Christmas)- perhaps - see my 12 days watch list at the end of the blog too?:

  1. “Take a trip past Macy’s as Tom Hanks conducts singing while Arnold Schwarzenegger aims to buy his son the toy of the year.”
  2. “Take a ride on a sleigh through a Halloween town as Bill Murray learns the true meaning of Christmas while a kid tries to protect his home from burglars with some creative defences”
  3. “It might take a light year to grow a beard and after shaving it off it just keeps growing back to the same length, but at least Zu Zu will have her petals.”

Dead of Alive

here are famous movie actors but which are alive and who are no longer with us, clues are in the film references.

Some Topical General Christmas Quiz Questions

  1. Which of these months marks the official start of spring in the UK, Romania and the USA?

A) January B) February C) March D) April

  1. In July 2024, which musical artist headlined the closing night of the Glastonbury Festival?


A) Taylor Swift
B) Elton John
C) Dua Lipa
D) Harry Styles

  1. Which country won the most gold medals at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris?


A) USA
B) China
C) Great Britain
D) Japan

  1. Which tennis player won the men’s singles title at the US Open in September 2024?


A) Novak Djokovic
B) Carlos Alcaraz
C) Daniil Medvedev
D) Jannik Sinner

  1. Real Life TV Questions - As seen recently on IACGMOOH & SCD?
Who is this and what does NDUBZ stand for?
Which of these are singers ?
What Group was this person part of in the eighties?
What makes this person a celebrity?

Only Fools at Christmas

I might need to watch these again ?

  • In the Christmas special A Royal Flush (1986), what musical instrument does Rodney learn to play to impress Lady Victoria?
  • In Heroes and Villains (1996), what iconic costumes do Del Boy and Rodney wear to a fancy dress party?
  • In To Hull and Back (1985), where do Del, Rodney, and Uncle Albert travel to smuggle diamonds?
  • In Miami Twice (1991), why do Del Boy and Rodney travel to Miami?
    (Hint: It involves a holiday and a mishap with the Mafia.)
  • In Time on Our Hands (1996), what major life event happens for the Trotters by the end of the episode?
  • In The Jolly Boys' Outing (1989), what causes the coach to explode during the lads’ trip to Margate?

Christmas No.1s

Here are quiz questions based on the UK Christmas number ones in the UK ?

  1. 1964:
    Which legendary British band had the Christmas number one in 1964 with "I Feel Fine"?
  2. 1974:
    The Christmas number one in 1974 was "Lonely This Christmas." Which band, often compared to Elvis Presley for this song, performed it?
  3. 1984:
    "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was the Christmas number one in 1984. Who organized the Band Aid project to record this iconic charity single?
  4. 1994:
    East 17 had the 1994 Christmas number one with "Stay Another Day." Who introduced them on the Christmas Top of the Pops and what type of garment famously featured in the music video for this song?
  5. 2004:
    The 2004 Christmas number one was a re-recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid 20. Name two artists who contributed to this version.
  6. 2014:
    "Something I Need" was the Christmas number one in 2014. Performed by Ben Haenow but In 2014, The X Factor UK saw a mix of returning and new judges, including a former Spice Girl and a long-standing member who had been part of the show since its inception. Who then were the four judges in that year?
  7. 2024:
    Which classic Christmas hit by Wham! achieved a Christmas number one in 2024, decades after its original release?

Its the Adverts ?

Christmas always injects heart warming and emotional advertisements but can you name the songs these artists sang in the years referenced?

John Lewis

  • 2012: Gabrielle Aplin
    This cover of the classic song by Frankie Goes to Hollywood was featured in the ad featuring a penguin named Monty.
  • 2013: Lily Allen
    This cover of the Keane hit played alongside an advert about a young boy and his pet snowman.

Sainsbury's

  • In Sainsbury's 2017 Christmas advert, which classic song by The Beatles was used to accompany the story of a boy and his reindeer on an adventure to find the perfect Christmas gift?

M&S

  • In M&S's 2015 Christmas advert, which classic 1980s hit by Dexys Midnight Runners was used to set a festive, energetic tone for the campaign?

Boots

  • Which iconic song by Whitney Houston was featured in Boots’ 2019 Christmas advert, focusing on family and gift-giving?

Final Round (Lyrics)

  1. In "Fairytale of New York," what do the NYPD Choir sing?
  2. In the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," what does Rudolph’s red nose help guide during the Christmas Eve journey and why?
  3. Ladbaby had a few hits at Christmas time but can you answer these questions?
    1. They parodied “We Built This City” by Starship, in 2018 what did they call their version ?
    2. In 2019, LadBaby secured their second consecutive Christmas Number 1. Which song did they parody originally recorded by Joan Jet - what was the title of their version?
    3. They parodied “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen in 2020 but what did they name their song as?

Always Sir Cliff - had a few hits himself too here are questions about his hits

    1. In "Saviour's Day", what is being celebrated on this special day?
    2. Cliff had No1's before the eighties in 1959 he sings about "the kind of girl I’ve always dreamed of." What specific characteristic does he mention that makes her the "perfect" girl?
    3. In 1960 Cliff had a No.1 saying he loved someone so much, that it meant more to than all the apples hanging off a tree, so what was the title of the song?

That's it - hope you enjoyed the challenge

Here are my films to watch and I will be watching as the 12 days of Christmas approaches - Join me in spirit or at least with a spirit and cheers for listening and reading my blogs and poems!

17th December

  • Film: Elf (2003)
    • Why Watch It: A feel-good movie starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf. It's perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit with humour and heartwarming moments.

18th December

  • Film: The Polar Express (2004)
    • Why Watch It: A visually stunning animated film about a magical train ride to the North Pole, perfect for a family movie night.

19th December

  • Film: Love Actually (2003)
    • Why Watch It: A romantic comedy with intertwining stories set during Christmas time. A perfect film for those who love a mix of romance and holiday cheer.

20th December

  • Film: Home Alone (1990)
    • Why Watch It: A timeless classic with Macaulay Culkin as a young boy who has to defend his home from burglars during Christmas. Funny and nostalgic.

21st December

  • Film: The Grinch (2018)
    • Why Watch It: A modern animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as the Grinch.

22nd December

  • Film: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
    • Why Watch It: A unique stop-motion film by Tim Burton that blends Halloween and Christmas with memorable music and dark humour.

23rd December

  • Film: It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    • Why Watch It: A heart-warming Christmas classic about a man who learns the true value of his life. A must-watch for anyone seeking a dose of holiday inspiration.

24th December (Christmas Eve)

  • Film: A Christmas Carol (2009)
    • Why Watch It: Jim Carrey stars in this animated adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale about Ebenezer Scrooge. A great movie to watch before Christmas Day.

25th December (Christmas Day)

  • Film: Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
    • Why Watch It: The ultimate Christmas movie that celebrates the magic of Christmas and belief in Santa Claus. It’s heart-warming, classic, and ideal for Christmas Day.

POEM

It's that time of year, for Christmas cheer,
Next year, Manchester City may face FA's sneer.
Chelsea might thrive, without Russian gold,
Abba or Pierce Brosnan, may sing Honey Honey bold.

James Bond may rise, from his ghostly grave,
I might retire — unless someone craves
More of my time, or something more,
Grateful to have readers, as I write and explore.

Maybe one day my blogs will feed me,
But for now, it’s joy and festivity.
Merry Christmas to all, far and near,
To my international followers, Scots, and friends dear.

This, my 64th blog, is sent your way,
Wishing you happiness, and joy on Christmas Day!