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Christmas Music Quiz: Questions and Answers for Your Office Christmas Party
Christmas quizzes are a staple of the festive season. From pubs to offices, they’re inescapable yet great fun, just like Christmas music itself. So, we have created our very own Christmas music quiz questions and answers to print off and hand out, including picture rounds.
Hosting a team Christmas quiz is a great treat for staff, but it also acts as a team-building exercise and can boost morale and that festive feeling. Read on to find out how and why Christmas music can benefit your workplace during the most wonderful time of the year.
On this page:
- The ultimate Christmas music quiz questions and answers
- How to harness the power of Christmas for your office space
- How to build a festive music playlist
- The top Christmas songs to play in the office
- When is it acceptable to listen to Christmas music?
- How to balance festivity with productivity at Christmas
Christmas Music Quiz Questions and Answers
Christmas song trivia can transform your corporate events from a ‘silent night’ into a collaborative, festive experience. We’ve looked into the (Christmas) past, examined the Christmas number one list, consulted Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer and Frosty the snowman and put together the best musical quiz to help your guests have a holly jolly Christmas, from easy holiday trivia to yuletide head-scratchers.
FREE DOWNLOAD: The ultimate Christmas music quiz
Hit the download button for your Christmas quiz questions and answers – ready to print!
How to harness the power of Christmas for your office space
No one wants to feel like the Grinch stole Christmas in their office space. But how can you embrace Christmas traditions while staying on everyone’s good side?
To make Christmas work for you, take advantage of your team’s senses.
Smell: Nostalgic scents
If you’re a business that values engaging customers’ or team members’ sense of smell, why not try popping some poinsettias and holly around your business or trying a diffuser? You can try a world of scents, from marshmallows on an open fire (yes, there’s a bottled version of this) to gingerbread or pine needles. There’s a festive scent that will unite your team in the Christmas spirit.
A recent study links Christmas music to a more favourable experience in stores when paired with festive ambient scents. The research found that people felt happier – and more likely to shop – in a retail environment where they could smell and hear festive cues.
Sight: Classic decorations
Decorations can help boost the festive mood of your office. So go as big or as small as you want! A Christmas tree or some bunting across the office can help get your workers in the Christmas spirit without causing too much of a distraction.
Taste: Yuletide snacks
Taste can be one sense that’s harder to harness, but if you’re a business that supplies office snacks, leaving some mince pies, mini-Christmas pudding treats or even some candy canes out can bring the holiday season to your office workers whilst engaging their sense of taste.
Touch: Christmassy and cosy
Like taste, touch can be one of the harder ways to make it feel like Christmas. One way you can take advantage of this sense is to make sure the office is at a comfortable warm temperature for the colder winter days, emulating a festive fireplace.
Sound: Festive music
Music is a great way to add a bit of festivity to the office. A simple Christmassy playlist can introduce the festive atmosphere. We surveyed 2000 Brits* and found that Christmas music made them feel festive (69%), boosted their moods (53%) and made people feel nostalgic (43%).
But how can you make the ultimate festive playlist for your office?
How to build a festive playlist for your office
If you’re looking to inject the festive spirit into your workplace, you might be interested to know that playing Christmas music in your workplace – whether it’s an office, shop, pub, salon, or café – can make a positive difference in the winter, especially since we found that 93%** of Brits listen to Christmas music during the festive period, with 39% sharing that they love the atmosphere it creates.
Here’s how to maximise your Christmassy song plays without turning your workers (or customers!) into Mr Grinch:
1. Mix overtly Christmas songs with other hits
You may think the best Christmas music playlist would be filled to the brim with festive hits, but a bit of diversity within the playlist can give it some longevity and minimise the risk of Christmas music burnout.
Start with Christmas number one tracks. We’ve compiled a list of Most Played Christmas Tracks for you to choose from. For example, Rockabye by Clean Bandit or Perfect by Ed Sheeran.
From there, you can start to intersperse more overtly Christmas tunes in your playlist, making sure to leave a song or two between each Xmas track.
2. Include the most popular Christmassy songs
If you want to ensure your festive playlist is a hit with your colleagues, it’s always a good idea to include the most popular songs.
“But what are the most popular Christmas song choices?”, we hear you ask. Don’t worry – we’re way ahead of you.
The top Christmas songs to play in the office
*based on the UK’s top 10 favourite Christmas songs
We did the research and the results are in – the top songs to add to your ‘Xmas playlist’ are:
Once you’ve ensured those top Christmas hits are in, you can add the other familiar favourites.
Other festive classics include Jingle Bell Rock, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Feliz Navidad, Blue Christmas and traditional Christmas carols, such as O Holy Night, and O Christmas Tree.
3. Double check your music licence
If you’re ready to turn on the festive tunes, don’t forget to check your music licence. If you use, play or perform music in your place of work, chances are you need this.
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 requires businesses to secure permission from relevant copyright holders (i.e. the people who make your music), to play it in public. TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS is the best route. It allows you to legally play music for employees and customers in your place of work – and covers radio, TV, digital devices and even live performances.
If you’re not sure whether you need a licence, get in contact.
Call us 0800 051 5076.
If you’re not covered, get a quote.
What is the role of Christmas music in the office?
Our leadership coach Deborah Green explains the complexities behind playing festive tunes within the professional workplace.
“As someone who’s worked in various office environments, I find the role of Christmas music for morale during the festive period to be quite complex. It’s a divisive issue – some love it, others find it grating. While it can create a jolly atmosphere and prompt reflection on the year, it can also be a source of stress or sadness for those facing financial pressures or missing loved ones.”
Although Christmas may be seen as a jolly holiday by many, the holiday season may have adverse meaning for some, Deborah says.
“Not everyone celebrates Christmas, so imposing the music can feel exclusionary. I believe offering it as an option rather than forcing it on everyone is the best approach. Ultimately, it’s important to consider the diverse perspectives and preferences of everyone working in the business when deciding how to incorporate festive elements in the workplace.”
When is it acceptable to listen to Christmas music?
So, when is it time to usher in a Merry Christmas through music? We surveyed** 500 Brits and discovered that most people want to start hearing Christmas songs in early December (36%).
However, most people also noticed businesses play Christmas music from the start of November (42%) or even October (21%).
A meagre 3% of Brits still want to listen to Christmas music in late December, post-Christmas Day. A safe bet is stopping the overtly Christmassy tunes after 25th December, but there is a wealth of seasonal tunes and that don’t namecheck the celebration, so will have more longevity from Boxing Day onwards.
So, what does this mean for Christmas music in the office?
As an office manager, picking the best music for productivity during the most wonderful time of the year can be a difficult balance. Our festive survey** revealed that Brits want to hear a Christmas song every other track when you have a playlist going, so you can continue using pop music and lo-fi for productivity – the genres revealed to be the best in our productivity playlist .
Balancing festivity with productivity at Christmas
Deborah Green explains how employers can balance the festive mood to encourage productivity during what the ONS deems the least productive season of work.
“If I were a business leader, I’d start by clearly communicating expectations about work requirements, client visits and office presence. It’s important to set boundaries – allowing for some festive activities and lunches – but ensuring core work still gets done.
“I’d encourage prioritising the most important tasks and clients rather than trying to do everything.” Deborah adds. “Recognising that different employees approach the season differently is key. Some may be relaxed, while others feel pressure to meet year-end targets, or may feel pressure from home and work.”
“Ultimately, it’s about finding a middle ground that maintains productivity while allowing for some holiday spirit and flexibility.”
Your musical Christmas quiz: star of the Christmas party
Now you’re armed with the ultimate musical quiz questions (and the Christmas quiz answers!), you can use them to elevate your office celebrations.
If your workplace isn’t hosting a traditional office Christmas party this year, you can use it at other Christmas time activities. A team Christmas dinner is a great opportunity to ask trivia questions while you tuck into your turkey. Alternatively, Christmas Jumper Day – a Save The Children initiative – is a great occasion to get festive. You can quiz colleagues, host a Secret Santa or even set up a scavenger hunt.
Whatever festive route you choose, make sure you’re covered by a music licence and you’ll have a Wonderful Christmastime.
References
* A survey commissioned by PPL PRS of 2000 UK respondents by Attest in November 2022
** A survey commissioned by PPL PRS of 500 UK respondents by Attest in November 2023
Author
Alexandra Carr
Alexandra Carr is a Member of The Chartered Institute of Public Relations and has worked in communications roles for over 20 years. Prior to her current position she worked for The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (UK) and Transport for London. Alexandra joined PPL PRS as PR & Communications Manager in December 2017, bringing together her love of writing and music.
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