Can You Fill in the Blanks to Complete These Hit Holiday Songs?

By: Olivia Cantor
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Fill in the Blanks to Complete These Hit Holiday Songs?
Image: dszc/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

In many parts of the world, when December rolls around, so does the holiday spirit. Everything suddenly smells like cinnamon, pine, gingerbread and peppermint. Potted poinsettias crowd around the base of heavily decorated trees. Temporary ice-skating rinks open for business. More pervasive than anything else, however, is the holiday music.

Whether you're in your car listening to the radio, out shopping at the mall, performing in a high school choir or simply grabbing a cup of coffee on your way to work, it's impossible to miss the bombardment of Christmas music. 

Why not channel all that annual yuletide exposure into this quiz! Find out if, after all these years, you finally remember all the lyrics to "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Maybe you want to hone your "Santa Baby" skills for the office holiday party (or maybe not.) 

If you love reindeer games, come take a look at this mixed collection of carols, and see if you can guess the words we omitted! Don't be scared, there's no mistletoe involved!

"Sleigh bells __, are you ___”
Fell, picking
Ring, listening
Shout, tossing
Crack, repairing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Felix Bernard and Richard Smith, were the ones who composed and wrote the very seasonally appropriate "Winter Wonderland” back in 1934. Crooner, Johnny Mathis, recorded a very popular rendition of this song back in 1958, which was included in his Christmas album.

"Where the treetops __ and children ___”
Glisten, listen
Hover, lover
Making, stinging
Blunder, wonder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The great American composer, Irving Berlin, is said to have crafted the immortal song, "White Christmas” back in 1940, but it was Bing Crosby's crooning rendition that made this song ultra-popular during that decade (and in the subsequent decades, as well.) Other singers have also recorded their own renditions of this song, like Frank Sinatra, The Drifters, Andy Williams, Michael Bolton and Bette Midler.

"Come and behold Him/ __ the King of __!”
Born, angels
See, shepherds
Hear, nations
Fear, enemies
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The original Latin title of "O Come All Ye Faithful” is actually "Adeste Fideles,” which was intended as a Christmas carol. Its true origins are rather hard to determine for historians, but they point to its existence as early as the 1600s, with musical traces found in Europe.

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"Oh the weather outside is __/ But the fire is so ___”
Terrible, worthy
Balmy, sunny
Cold, freezing
Frightful, delightful
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's interesting to note that "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” was written in sunny California by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne back in the summer of 1945. Little did they know that this fun tune would become a very big hit come Christmastime. They found that out after Vaughn Moore recorded it in 1945, and it became an instant chart-topper.

"All of the other __/ Used to laugh and call him __”
Animals, sissy
Shepherds, cheap
Bullies, stupid
Reindeer, names
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Country music superstar, Gene Autry, was the first one to sing "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” back in 1948, which became an instant hit. But this specific character first appeared earlier, back in 1939, in a booklet penned by Robert L. May for the Montgomery Ward department store.

"Said the night __ to the little ___”
Wind, lamb
Fire, ember
Candle, light
Shower, rain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Did you know that the song, "Do You Hear What I Hear?” was actually written in 1962 as a reaction to the Cuban Missile Crisis? The married couple who composed this song was American, Gloria Shayne Baker, and Frenchman, Noel Regney.

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"Let __ receive her __”
Staff, Count
Bush, Queen
Earth, King
Stale, Duke
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Christmas wouldn't be complete without hearing traditional Christmas carols, and "Joy to the World” should certainly be on that list. The lyrics were written by Isaac Watts in the early 1700s, with the words based on specific verses of the Bible.

"__ all the __”
Bark, fine
Jingle, way
Humble, men
Growl, earth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Records show that the original title of the American Christmas song, "Jingle Bells,” was "One Horse Open Sleigh,” written by Massachusetts-born composer James Lord Pierpont. There are actually two conflicting plaques commemorating where he wrote it, with one found in Medford, Massachusetts, while the other is found in Savannah, Georgia, where Pierpont ended up working.

"On the first day of Christmas my __ __ gave to me”
Only one
True love
Silent gift
Secret Santa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The 12 Days of Christmas” has been recorded numerous times in the modern era, both in the form of serious renditions and also in the form of parodies. Some notable artists who recorded this song include Burl Ives, Perry Como, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.

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"City __ busy __ dressed in holiday style”
Buses
Sidewalks
Policemen
Traffic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hollywood films were very instrumental in popularizing specific Christmas songs, and "Silver Bells” is a perfect example of this. The song was included in the 1951 comedy film called "The Lemon Drop Kid” starring Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell, and this duo sang the song there.

"Holy night/ All is __, all is __”
Calm, bright
Sounds, asleep
Fair, love
Hot, hate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Silent Night” is actually a certified intangible cultural heritage "item” from Austria, as identified by UNESCO in 2011. It was composed there by Franz Xaver Gruber, and there's even a Silent Night Chapel in the village of Oberndorf where the popular Christmas carol was sung for the first time back in 1818.

"Good __ we bring to you and your __”
Markings, foes
Tidings, kin
Holly, house
Shepherd, flock
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas” is English in origin. It gained popularity when Arthur Warrell arranged it for the University of Bristol Madrigal singers in 1935. The precise origins of the song are unknown, however.

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"Don we now our __ ___”
Most bodacious
Happy clothing
Gay apparel
Warm bundles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Deck The Halls” is a Christmas carol that can be traced back to the 1800s, while the melody alone can be dated back to the sixteenth century. It is both Welsh and Scottish in origin. Originally, carols were not songs, but rather dances.

"Bells are __, children __, all is merry and bright”
Fallin', shoutin'
Haulin', playin'
Ringin', singin'
Breakin', swayin'
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Country music legend Gene Autry performed many country songs, but he also released many Christmas-themed songs, such as "Here Comes Santa Claus.” He provided the words to this tune, which Oakley Haldeman composed and released back in 1947.

"He's making a __ and checking it __”
Décor, here
List, twice
Casserole, hot
Trip, fine tuned
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

American performer Eddie Cantor's radio show debuted the now classic Christmas song, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” back in 1934. Since that first broadcast, many artists have recorded this song, like Bruce Springsteen, The Jackson 5, Mariah Carey, and yes, Bing Crosby, to name a few.

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"Above thy __ and __ sleep/ The silent stars go by”
Bed, dubious
Harmless, style
Warm, fruitful
Deep, dreamless
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While some Christmas songs don't directly pertain to a specific biblical event, per se, "O Little Town of Bethlehem” is different, because it directly refers to the birthplace of Jesus, as it was written by an Episcopalian priest back in the early 1800s in the form of a poem.

"With a corncob __ and a button __”
Hand, eye
Ear, mouth
Pipe, nose
Head, tooth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gene Autry was the first to sing "Frosty The Snowman” back in 1950 before Jimmy Durante also recorded it later on. The concept of this snowman named Frosty was later adopted into a children's illustrated book, a short film and an animated TV special.

"And the mountains in reply/ Echoing their __ __”
Happy trails
Midnight skin
Wonderful tonight
Joyous strains
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Angels We Have Heard on High" references the New Testament, specifically, The Gospel of Luke. It was written in 1862 with lyrics by James Chadwick, although the melody was originally from a traditional French song.

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"Who laid to __/ On Mary's lap is ___”
Fall, limping
Calm, crying
Rest, sleeping
Blow, snoring
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Christmas carol called "What Child is This?” is actually sung to the tune of "Greensleeves" which was a traditional English folk song that dates back to 1580. It wasn't until the 1860s that the melody was used for "What Child is This?"

"Bearing __ we traverse __”
Materials, today
Gifts, afar
Jewels, yonder
Good news, nightly
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Three Kings referred to in the Christmas song, "We Three Kings,” are the three foreign dignitaries mentioned in the Bible as the Magi, or commonly known as the Three Wise Men. The three traveled to where Jesus was born, and they came bearing gifts: gold, myrrh and frankincense.

"I don't need to hang my __/ There upon the __”
Mistletoe, eggnog
Stocking, fireplace
Knickers, chimney
Fur coat, fenced wall
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mariah Carey's 1994 hit yuletide song, "All I Want For Christmas Is You,” has now become one of the Christmas staple songs, played over and over whenever the season is near. Walter Afanasieff composed the song with her, and it was included in her fourth album called "Merry Christmas."

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"But the very next __ you gave it __”
Day, away
Week, together
Season, all
Night, alright
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

George Michael also left a Christmas legacy in the form of a song called "Last Christmas.” This Christmas staple was released in 1984 under his former group, Wham! However, he was the one who produced and wrote the yuletide-themed heartbreak ballad.

"Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun/ Now the __ __ has begun”
Be bop
Jingle hop
Doo wop
Hip hop
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Jingle Bell Rock” was originally composed in 1957 as a more modern and upbeat Christmas song. This was at a time when rock'n'roll was being forged as a legitimate genre. Singer, Bobby Helms, is noted to have recorded it first, and there have been many other recordings of the song since then, such as the version by Chubby Checker and Bobby Rydell in 1962, and the Hall and Oates version in the 80s.

"From now on, your __ will be out of __”
Headache, tune
Troubles, sight
Mistress, sync
Happiness, mind
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Christmas song, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” was actually from the 1944 film "Meet Me in St. Louis,” directed by Vincente Minneli. The film starred Judy Garland who performed the song.

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"I'll be so __ just thinking about __”
Fine, her
Dandy, him
Glum, rum
Blue, you
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Elvis Presley crooned his heart out when he sang the soulful country rendition of "Blue Christmas” back in 1957. Other artists has since covered the song, such as Loretta Lynn, Blake Shelton and Martina McBride.

"Gosh oh gee how __ I'd be if only I could __”
Shorty, article
Dorky, bustle
Grumpy, hustle
Happy, whistle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alvin and the Chipmunks may have the most famous rendition of the funny Christmas song called "All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth),” but other artists actually covered the song as well. This novelty song was actually composed in 1944 by a music teacher in New York.

"Slip a __ under the __ for me”
Diamond, ring
Dime, pocket
Clip, fur
Sable, tree
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The gloriously divine Eartha Kitt was the first one who sang the somewhat sexy 1953 Christmas song called "Santa Baby.” Madonna also had her own sultrier version released in 1987, while Kylie Minogue released her version in 2000.

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"Peace on earth and mercy mild/ __ and __ reconciled”
Friends, enemies
Boss, employees
Lovers, mistresses
God, sinners
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The popular traditional Christmas song, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” originated as a hymn like other traditional yuletide songs. Many legendary musicians recorded this song, such as Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Charlotte Church and Jim Brickman.

"But I can dream and in my __ I'm __ with you”
Hope, drowning
Wish, Hanging
Fly, falling
Dream, Christmasing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Carpenters also created a Christmas song that became one of the holiday standards of our time, "Merry Christmas Darling,” in 1970. It was written by Frank Pooler and Richard Carpenter.

"Come they ___ __/ Pa rum pum pum pum”
Heard it
Told me
Love them
Sleep here
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first recording of "The Little Drummer Boy” was done in 1951 by the Trapp Family Singers, the real-life family that was featured by the film, "The Sound of Music.” Though they were Austrian, they recorded it for the British label called Decca Records.

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"Underneath the __ last night/ She didn't see me __”
Mistletoe, creep
Stairs, peek
Bed, snore
Garage, enter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A 13-year-old Jimmy Boyd was the original kiddo who sang the innocent-sounding 1952 Christmas song, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” The Boston Roman Catholic Diocese condemned the song at first, because of the fact that it mixed Christmas with romance.

"Please have __ and __ and presents on the tree”
Milk, gifts
Cookies, cream
Coffee, tea
Snow, mistletoe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bing Crosby made the Christmas standard "I'll Be Home For Christmas” a certified hit back in 1943. Since it was a time of war when the song came out, it was originally meant as an honorable nod to the countless people who were overseas fighting for their land while hoping to be able to come home for the holidays.

"So this is __, and what have you __”
Over, created
New Year, bought
Christmas, done
War, seen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” was actually written by both John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono. John Lennon released and recorded this as a solo act, after The Beatles had already disbanded.

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"Well tonight thank God it's __ instead of __”
East, west
North, south
Them, you
Up, down
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bob Geldof formed the entity called Band Aid in 1984 wherein he banded together some of the biggest musical artists of the 80s to sing for a good cause, notably the anti-famine advocacy aimed to help Ethiopia. Their banner song was "Do They Know It's Christmas.” Some of the artists who contributed their efforts during that decade were Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Wham, Culture Club, The Boomtown Rats, Bananarama and U2.

Take a look in the __ and __ glistening once again”
Crab, tree
Mist, toe
Sea, shore
Five, ten
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The 1951 Christmas song, "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” was recorded by many notable artists which, of course, include Bing Crosby. Originally called, "It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas,” the song references a Grand Hotel, but historians are conflicted as to which Grand Hotel is actually being discussed in the song.

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