Overview
Holiday Trivia runs during meal service to keep guests engaged while others are getting food. Tables are split into two groups, alternating between eating and playing trivia.
Flow Structure
- Tables 1-2 eat (20 min) while Tables 3-4 play trivia (Set A)
- Tables 3-4 eat (20 min) while Tables 1-2 play trivia (Set B)
- All tables together for Christmas Countdown full-room game
Important: Tables 1-2 and Tables 3-4 must use different question sets so eating tables don't overhear answers.
Pre-Game Setup
Materials Checklist
- Answer sheets distributed (1 per group, ~25 groups per trivia session)
- Pens/pencils at each table
- Question set selected and printed (Set A or B, plus backup ready)
- Audio clips cued up and tested (3 songs, 10-15 sec each)
- Sound system working (microphone + speakers for audio clips)
- Timer or clock visible to host
Question Set Selection
- Session 1 (Tables 3-4 play first): Use Set A
- Session 2 (Tables 1-2 play): Use Set B
- Backups available: Backup 1, 2, or 3 if needed for additional shows or variety
Game Flow - Per Round ~4-5 minutes
1. Introduce Round
Brief announcement of round number and format reminder.
HOST: "Okay everyone, this is Round [1/2/3]! I'll ask 5 questions, then we'll have an audio bonus. Write your answers on your sheet as we go. Ready?"
2. Ask Questions 1-5 ~2.5 minutes
Read each question clearly. Give 20-30 seconds for groups to write answer. Keep pace moving.
Format:
"Question 1: [Read question text]"
[Pause 20-30 seconds]
"Question 2: [Read question text]"
[Continue through Q5]
Pacing Tip: Don't wait for every group to finish writing. Keep momentum. They can catch up during next question if needed.
3. Play Audio Bonus ~30 seconds
Announce it's the bonus question, play 10-15 second clip, groups write song title.
HOST: "Now for your audio bonus! Listen to this clip and write down the name of the Christmas song."
[Play clip]
"Write your answer on your sheet under 'Bonus.'"
4. Reveal Answers ~1 minute
Read all answers clearly, including bonus song title.
Format:
"Here are the answers for Round [1/2/3]:"
"Question 1: [Answer]"
"Question 2: [Answer]"
[Continue through all 5]
"Bonus song: [Song title]"
5. Self-Grading ~30 seconds
Groups mark correct answers (1 point each, 2 for bonus) and calculate round total.
HOST: "Go ahead and mark your answers. 1 point for each correct answer, 2 points for the bonus. Add up your round total!"
6. Move to Next Round
No delay. Immediately start next round.
After All 3 Rounds
Groups Calculate Grand Total
Groups add up all 3 round totals (max 21 points possible: 15 regular + 6 bonus).
HOST: "Add up your three round totals to get your grand total. Maximum possible is 21 points!"
Announce Winners
Ask for hands - who got highest scores. Multiple winners are fine.
HOST: "Who got 21 points? Raise your hands!"
[If none] "20 points?"
[Continue until you find winners]
"Congratulations to our trivia winners! Give yourselves a round of applause!"
No tie-breaker needed: Multiple groups can win with same score. Keep it simple and celebratory.
Timing Management
Target Timeline (20 minutes total)
- Round 1: 4-5 minutes
- Round 2: 4-5 minutes
- Round 3: 4-5 minutes
- Grand total calculation + winners: 2-3 minutes
- Buffer: 2-4 minutes
If Running Long (approaching 20 minutes):
- Speed up question pacing (give less time between questions)
- Announce answers more quickly
- Skip detailed winner announcement - just quick acknowledgment
If Running Short (finished under 15 minutes):
- Stretch out winner announcement
- Allow more time for self-grading
- Engage with groups - "How did everyone do? Anyone get all the audio bonuses?"
Audio Bonus Setup
Technical Requirements
- Audio clips prepared in advance (10-15 sec each, 3 per set)
- Clips should be from different sections of songs for variety
- Volume tested - loud enough for whole room to hear clearly
- Clips cued and ready to play on command
Song List by Set
Set A:
- Round 1: "Jingle Bells"
- Round 2: "Deck the Halls"
- Round 3: "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
Set B:
- Round 1: "Winter Wonderland"
- Round 2: "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas"
- Round 3: "Up on the Housetop"
Backup Sets: Use "Good King Wenceslas" and variations from main sets
All songs used are public domain (secular): No copyright issues, no religious content concerns.
Difficulty Progression
Each round follows the same difficulty structure to ensure all ages can participate:
Question 1: Easy (Child Level)
Simple recognition, basic concepts. Young children should have a chance.
Question 2: Easy-Medium
Still accessible, requires slightly more knowledge.
Question 3: Medium
General knowledge, most people should know.
Question 4: Medium-Hard
More specific, requires recall or familiarity.
Question 5: Hard (Adult Level)
Challenging trivia, historical facts, less common knowledge.
Audio Bonus:
Varies - depends on song recognition. Familiar songs most can identify.
This structure ensures families can work together - kids contribute early questions, adults help with later ones.
Troubleshooting
Groups Didn't Hear Question
- Repeat question once clearly
- Check microphone volume
- Speak more slowly and project
Audio Clip Didn't Play / Too Quiet
- Play again if technical issue
- If can't fix quickly, skip bonus - don't hold up game
- Can verbally give bonus question instead ("What song mentions 'ho ho ho'?")
Dispute Over Correct Answer
- Host decision is final (honor system, keep moving)
- If multiple acceptable answers exist, announce all accepted variations
- Don't get bogged down in debates - this is for fun
Groups Finish Writing Too Quickly
- Good! Keep pace up. Don't wait.
- Move to next question
Groups Taking Too Long to Write
- Give gentle nudge: "Write your best guess, we're moving on!"
- Keep pace - they can catch up during next question
Eating Tables Overhearing Answers
- Can't fully prevent, but use different sets (A vs B minimizes this)
- Keep volume appropriate - loud enough for playing tables, not blasting
- Accept that some crossover happens - honor system applies
Need More Question Sets
- 3 backup sets available (Backup 1, 2, 3)
- Rotate sets across different show nights for variety
- Can reuse sets after several shows - guests are different each night
Transition to Christmas Countdown
After both trivia sessions complete (Tables 3-4 and Tables 1-2 both finished), all tables have eaten and played trivia. Now entire room moves to Christmas Countdown full-room game.
HOST: "Great job everyone on trivia! Now that we've all eaten and played, it's time for our big full-room game - Christmas Countdown! You'll use the same answer boards you used for trivia, so keep those handy!"
Important: Groups keep their answer boards/sheets - they'll use the dry-erase side (not the paper side) for Christmas Countdown game.
Staff Roles
Trivia Host (1 person)
- Runs entire trivia game with microphone
- Reads questions clearly and at good pace
- Plays audio clips (or signals tech to play)
- Announces answers
- Manages timing (keeps to 20 minute window)
- Announces winners at end
Tech Support (1 person, optional)
- Manages audio playback if host can't do both
- Monitors sound levels
- Troubleshoots technical issues
Floor Staff (optional)
- Distribute answer sheets before game starts
- Ensure tables have pens/pencils
- Monitor for groups needing help/clarification
Streamlined operation: Trivia is designed to run with just host + microphone. Self-grading honor system means no staff verification needed.