Spin Control: Can’t join in any reindeer games? Try 12 Trivias of Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… for everyone except political columnists who have very little to snark at as Christmas nears.

To celebrate rather than castigate, Spin Control offers its annual 12 Trivias of Christmas, a tradition that recognizes that if lions can lie down with lambs in this season, Democrats can share a cup of eggnog with Republicans without getting into an argument over Happy Holidays versus Merry Christmas and see who has a better grasp of yuletide minutiae.

1. In the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” what was Clarence the Angel’s designation before he got his wings?

A. Angel Recruit

B. Angel Cadet

C. Angel 2nd Class

D. Novice Angel

2. What member of the British royal family introduced the custom of decorating evergreens to England?

A. Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII

B. Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III

C. Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria

D. Wallis Simpson, girlfriend of King Edward VIII and inspiration for the song “Santa Baby.”

3. Who told Joseph to get the heck out of Bethlehem and go to Egypt after Jesus was born?

A. An angel

B. The wise men

C. Mary

D. The innkeeper

4. “Die Hard,” which knowledgeable people say is a Christmas movie and Scrooges say isn’t, takes place in what city?

A. San Francisco

B. New York

C. Las Vegas

D. Los Angeles

5. Some radio stations banned “Baby It’s Cold Outside” this year because …

A. It runs longer than the standard time allotted for a pop song.

B. It can be interpreted as encouraging date rape.

C. The composer is suing the record company over royalties.

D. It rejects global warming.

6. What government agency “tracks” Santa’s trip around the world on the internet?

A. North American Aerospace Defense Command

B. Air Mobility Command

C. Strategic Air Command

D. Federal Aviation Administration

7. How did Hermey the Elf prove the value of being a dentist in “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”?

A. He cured Santa’s toothache on Christmas Eve.

B. He straightened the teeth for all abandoned dolls on the Island of Misfit Toys.

C. He pulled the teeth of the Abominable Snowman.

D. He fluoridated the North Pole’s water system.

8. What famous cowboy gets a mention in “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”?

A. Roy Rogers

B. Gene Autry

C. Hopalong Cassidy

D. The Lone Ranger

9. What job does Lucy suggest for Charlie Brown in “A Charlie Brown Christmas”?

A. Working a Christmas tree lot.

B. Judging the Christmas light display contest.

C. Hosting a Christmas party.

D. Directing the Christmas pageant.

10. What saint is credited with inventing the Nativity Scene or creche?

A. St. Nicholas

B. St. Francis of Assisi

C. St. Luke, who wrote the Gospel featuring shepherds and angels

D. St. Stephen, whose feast day is Dec. 26

11. What Christmas song is also an anti-war song?

A. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”

B. “So This is Christmas”

C. “Silver Bells”

D. “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”

12. The poem we usually call “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” is actually titled …

A. “A Visit From Santa Claus”

B. “A Visit From St. Nicholas”

C. “Here Comes Santa Claus”

D. “St. Nick and His 8 Reindeer”

Answers are at the link with the small photo above.