'Twas The Quiz before Christmas (or should that be Quizmas?)

Charles C

In a somewhat stretched metaphor, the final quiz of the year was an advent calendar of general knowledge-based fun. But instead of 24 (25 - if you get a posh one) cardboard flaps each concealing a mediocre chocolate, there were 40 doors, which teams had to pry open to unveil a belter of a quiz question. The festively-angled trivia treats that quizzers devoured included: that Egypt was where Joseph, Mary and Jesus travelled to having left Bethlehem; 364 presents are received cumulatively in the 12 days of Christmas; and, it George V was the first UK monarch to give a Christmas broadcast.

By the end, "The Orange Tagines" won the consolation sweets for their points-per-person score. Just ahead of them, earning the second-from-bottom wine came “Sleigh My Name, Sleigh My Name”, whose name – and the fact they brought a doggo – meant a prize was even more well-deserved. Just nine points separated the other nine teams, with most getting my Mariah Carey – ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ lyrics question, some even getting the release year (1994).

A close podium finish saw “Twat Mallets” and “Quiz Team Akabusi” standing all but next to each other under the festive bronze-silver mistletoe – just half a point separating them. Both managed to identify the band, Matchbox 20 and get 3-from-3 on the cryptic tube station questions. Unbelievable scenes! A healthy few points more finished “Why Is There No Quiz Next Week?”, whose moniker asked the question on everyone’s mulled-wine-stained lips. The pub’s not-so-secret Santa (yours truly) handed over the coveted £40 bar tab as the prize for the team’s strong quiz performance.

The jackpot stood at an alluring £175, and it was “85G” whose guess on the volume of the world record cup of hot chocolate (4,817 litres) was the closest. Unfortunately, the Scrooge-esque envelopes were cruel and the jackpot card alluded them. Bah – humbug! Still, it means 2020 starts with an enticing £228 to be won. Would love to see you there. Imagine how far that sort of cold, hard cash would go in the January sales, particularly if you’re on Dry January and only buying soft drinks!

Thanks to all those who have quizzed this year. We have learned a lot and had a lot of fun. Happy Christmas! See you in January. God bless us, every one.