Christmas Time & Holiday Trivia

Christmas Time & Holiday Trivia

The toughest point of any holiday bash is that awkward transition between the bosses ho-hum speech to the dance music. One of the better ways to smooth out that segue and get the whole crowd involved in your show is a trivia contest. You can take the simple approach and toss out a brain teaser between songs, or organize teams and turn it into a real production.

Here's a list of 20 holiday Questions that should (slightly) challenge any crowd. Expand beyond the list with some of your own questions, or try your own version of "Name That Tune" using old TV show and commercial themes. Seldom will you find a crowd that doesn't enjoy a dose of trivia.

For an added marketing twist, print up the questions (with or without the answers) on your letterhead and pass them out as give-aways.

TOP 20 HOLIDAY TRIVIA QUESTIONS

1. Who invented the art of giving Christmas presents?
2. Who sang Grandma got run over by a reindeer?
3. How many eggs are in eight quarts of eggnog?
4. How did red and green become the traditional colors of Christmas?
5. For what movie could you say that Santa won an Academy Award?
6. What is the average temperature of The North Pole
7. Where was I when "I saw mommy kissing Santa Clause?
8. "The Gift of The Magi" was written by whom?
9. Name Santa's reindeer
10. Boris Karloff was the star of what TV Christmas favorite?
11. Christmas, Florida is closest to what major city?
12. What famous Christmas story begins with the line, "One dollar and eighty-seven cents"?
13. Name the most commercially successful Christmas Film.
14. Name 3 actors who played scrooge in the movies.
15. Name Bill Murray's Christmas classic.
16. "God Bless us, everyone!" is the end of what Christmas epic?
17. True or False: In South American countries, setting off fireworks is a popular way of celebrating Christmas.
18. The "Chipmunks Christmas song" came out in what year?
19. True or False: Christmas is not celebrated in the Philippines.
20. Name six of the all time top 10 Christmas songs.

THE ANSWERS

1. The three wise men
2. Elmo & Patsy
3. A dozen
4. In early times, Red apples decorated Green trees.
5. Miracle on 34th st. Edmund Gwenn played Santa and won an Academy Award.
6. 21' F
7. On the stairs
8. O Henry
9. Rudolph, Dasher, Comet, Dancer, Cupid, Prancer, Vixen, Blitzen, and Dancer
10. "How the Grinch stole Christmas"
11. Orlando
12. "The Gift of The Magi"
13. "Home Alone"
14. W.C. Fields, Jim Carrey, Kelsey Grammer, Derek Jacobi, John Magquire, Jack Palance, Cyril Ritchard, Basil Rathbone, Michael Caine, and, Alastair Sim.
15. "Scrooged"
16. "A Christmas Carol" said by Tiny Tim
17. True
18. 1958
19. False
20. White Christmas - Bing Crosby, Silent Night - Bing Crosby, Rudolph the red nose reindeer - Gene Autry, Chipmunk song - Chipmunks, I saw mommy kissing Santa Clause - Jimmy Boyd, Little drummer boy - The Harry Simeone Chorale, Do they know it's Christmas - Band Aid, I'll be home for Christmas - Bing Crosby, Grandma got run over by a reindeer - Elmo & Patsy, Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms

Special Thanks to David Varga for his help with these.

BONUS QUESTIONS

1. What is the single best selling song of all time?
2. Name 3 more names for Santa Clause.
3. What item of clothing was Ma wearing in "Twas the night before Christmas"?
4. What was the little girls name in "The Grinch who stole Christmas"?
5. Who did the voice of the original Grinch?

BONUS ANSWERS

1. White Christmas
2. St. Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas
3. Kercheif
4. Cindy Lou Who
5. Boris Karloff

The Twelve Days of Christmas

A partridge in a pear tree
2 Turtle doves
3 French hens
4 Calling birds
5 Golden rings
6 Geese a laying
7 Swans a swimming
8 Maids a milking
9 Pipers Piping
10 Ladies Dancing
11 Lords a leaping
12 Drummers Drumming

Have fun with these.

Class Reunion party tips

Class Reunion Party Tips

1. Reunions Usually happen around thanksgiving weekend
2. Normally Reunions happen at 5,10,15,20,25,30 years 
3. Equip yourself with music from the particular year they graduated from as well as the four years that they were in High School.
4. Read up on some trivia from their year of graduation such as special events, history of the music, political or sports events, your client may be able to provide you with some trivia tidbits from their years in school. Use this information to keep dinner interesting by having a lite trivia contest.
5. Be prepared for the guests to start off doing a lot of talking. Remember, they are seeing people they haven't seen in years and may want to do nothing but socialize. Be patient and don’t take it personally if they seem to want nothing to do with a DJ. It’s a great opportunity for you to play a lot of the “non-danceable” music from their era.
6. Eventually you will get a busy dance floor, so make sure you’ve saved a “reunion power set” of the top songs from their school years. Be ready for the people to tire of nostalgia after a while as they begin to ask you to play more current music.

20 Bits of DJ Advise

20 Bits of Advise

1. Contact your client at least 2 weeks before the event to finalize everything.
2. Verify directions with client to make sure you are going to the correct place.
3. Arrive at least 1 hour prior to the start time.
4. Keep an accurate calendar 
5. Learn to utilize the internet for contacts and schedule ect.
6. If you tell your client you are going to do something then DO IT!
7. Save ALL DJ related receipts.
8. Track all of your miles traveled for DJ.
9. EZ pass works well to track toll expenses.
10. Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you.
11. Do not keep equipment in a vehicle overnight.
12. Hand out your business cards to any interested person.
13. Get the Banquet managers card for future referrals.
14. Mention your name & company at least twice at your events.
15. Leave your DJ space exactly or better than when you arrived (no trash)
16. SMILE and always be polite and courteous.
17. NEVER DRINK ALCOHOL!
18. Work well with all other professionals at your party.
19. Always say Goodbye to your client right before you leave.
20. Keep an open mind and always seek to improve as a DJ

Top 20 things a DJ should have

Top 20 things a DJ should have

1. GPS and printed directions
2. Tux. or suit with extra shirts.
3. Extra Headphones
4. Duct Tape
5. Flashlight
6. Hand Truck
7. Business card holder
8. 3 to 2 AC Plug adapter
9. Soldering Kit
10. Electrical tape
11. Subscription to a music service
12. Small tool kit
13. Small tarp
14. Rain suit
15. Emergency kit - Extra wires, plugs, cords, and needed fuses
16. First aid Kit with bandaids, aspirin,antiseptic, and halls throat drops.
17. Roadside assistance subscription or AAA
18. Flash drive with ALL Clients requests & standard songs to get thru party
19. Car Battery charging pack
20. A person or company to BACK YOU UP!