Quiz: Are you a Santa or a Scrooge?

Part of IYKYK

Two very different festive figures

Christmastime will soon be upon us and while it may feel like it comes around very quickly, the celebrations seem to be starting much earlier every year. A time to be with your loved ones, exchange gifts, decorate the Christmas tree, take part in family traditions and eat incredible food, Christmas means something different to us all.

One of the busiest annual periods, many believe it to be ‘the most wonderful time of the year,’ whereas others aren’t too fussed about the celebrations or partaking in certain traditions. But when it comes to Christmas time, do you embrace the holiday season or avoid the festive cheer?

Check out our quiz below to find out if you’re more Santa or more Scrooge. Here, BBC Bitesize also takes a closer look at the history of Christmas and themes within Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

A photo of Ebenezer Scrooge, a Victorian businessman with a frown, wearing small glasses, a black top hat, curly white hair, fingerless gloves, a purple scarf and a black coat. He is next to Santa Claus, dressed in a traditional red suit and hat, both with white fur trim and also has a big white beard and glasses. He smiles holding a list of names
Scrooge and Santa Claus
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Who is Santa Claus?

Father Christmas, with a white beard and glasses, wears a red hat and suit which has white fur lining. He sits by a fireplace decorated with baubles and reads his naughty and nice list. Next to him stands a young girl, wearing a reindeer ear headband, her hair in pigtails, a festive jumper and metallic skirt. She smiles as she spots her name on the nice list and leans against the arm of the chair
Santa finding a little girl's name on the nice list

A legendary figure, Santa Claus has long been synonymous with Christmas time. Around the world, Santa Claus is also known as Santa for short, as well as Saint Nicholas or Saint Nick and Kris Kringle.

In the UK, many will refer to Santa as Father Christmas. A symbol of festive joy, many stories and depictions of Santa Claus originate from Christianity.

In modern culture, Santa Claus is known for living in the North Pole and flying across the globe on Christmas Eve to deliver presents in time for Christmas morning. With a list of children's names - categorised by who has been naughty or nice - it is his flying reindeer who pull his magical sleigh through the sky and his talented elves who make all the gifts in Santa’s workshop through the year.

Father Christmas, with a white beard and glasses, wears a red hat and suit which has white fur lining. He sits by a fireplace decorated with baubles and reads his naughty and nice list. Next to him stands a young girl, wearing a reindeer ear headband, her hair in pigtails, a festive jumper and metallic skirt. She smiles as she spots her name on the nice list and leans against the arm of the chair
Santa finding a little girl's name on the nice list
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How old is Santa Claus?

An illustration of Saint Nicholas, who holds a gold sceptre and wears a red and green cloak and a gold and red mitre hat. Behind him is a ship on the water. He gestures down to three young boys he saved, who are standing in a wooden basket
St Nicholas, the model for Santa Claus, due to his reputation for secret gift-giving

Through various generations and cultures, Santa Claus and variations of the festive symbol have looked different. Certain legends and stories are similar, whereas others are unique to a particular area or group of people.

But the popular depiction of Santa Claus – the jolly man in a red suit who flies around the world to deliver toys on Christmas Eve – originates from folklore surrounding St Nicholas. The Bishop of Myra, in what is now Türkiye, during the 3rd century, believed to have been born in 270AD, the patron saint of children is said to have been very generous, travelling around providing gifts to the poor.

In this sense, this figure inspired by St Nicholas is over 1750 years old – but through history, there have been several similar depictions deriving from different folklores and cultures and tied to Christmas or winter festivals. Saint Nicholas Day is on December 6, and many countries still celebrate the life and values of the famous saint.

An illustration of Saint Nicholas, who holds a gold sceptre and wears a red and green cloak and a gold and red mitre hat. Behind him is a ship on the water. He gestures down to three young boys he saved, who are standing in a wooden basket
St Nicholas, the model for Santa Claus, due to his reputation for secret gift-giving
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Does Santa Claus wear red or green?

A postcard showing an illustration of Santa Claus in a light green suit, the cloak has a white, fur lining and matching hat. He carries a small Christmas tree on his right shoulder and has a brown satchel full of instruments and toys across his body
A postcard of Santa Claus in a green suit, produced circa 1910 in Germany

When most people think of Santa Claus, they picture a jolly old man who has a white beard, wears a red suit with a white fur trim, a black buckled belt and carries a large sack of toys. A symbol of the festive season, around the world today he is represented or depicted in different ways today – and has been historically too.

Particularly in the 19th century, Santa Claus was often depicted in green attire, as seen on Christmas cards and postcards of the time. Many argue the shift to the red colour scheme was solely down to American drinks company Coca-Cola, who in the 1930s made Santa dress in red in marketing campaigns.

But Santa Claus’ history being depicted in red does go back much further. The colours are thought to date back to Saint Nicholas and while some argue he would dress in different colours, red and white were the hues of traditional bishop robes.

A postcard showing an illustration of Santa Claus in a light green suit, the cloak has a white, fur lining and matching hat. He carries a small Christmas tree on his right shoulder and has a brown satchel full of instruments and toys across his body
A postcard of Santa Claus in a green suit, produced circa 1910 in Germany
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Are you a Santa or a Scrooge?

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Who is Ebenezer Scrooge and what is his job?

The character of Ebenezer Scrooge sits wearing a white nightgown and a matching nightcap. He has glasses and curly grey hair which sits outside the hat. He sits on a wooden chair with an unpleasant smirk on his face as he counts gold coins out of a wooden box on his lap
Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character in the famous Charles Dickens novella, A Christmas Carol. Dickens was a famous Victorian author, also known for writing Oliver Twist.

In the story, we know Scrooge to be a businessman. He is depicted as a moneylender and financier who runs a counting house.

A Christmas Carol followed the journey of Scrooge, who is initially presented as an unpleasant man who rejects Christmas and its celebrations. Known for his famous catchphrase - “Humbug!" - Scrooge is visited by several spirits who change his life forever and, in the end, he becomes more compassionate and generous.

The character of Ebenezer Scrooge sits wearing a white nightgown and a matching nightcap. He has glasses and curly grey hair which sits outside the hat. He sits on a wooden chair with an unpleasant smirk on his face as he counts gold coins out of a wooden box on his lap
Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol
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How many ghosts visit Scrooge?

The ghost of Jacob Marley, on the left, is transparent tied in thick, metal chains. He wears a Victorian suit with bandages around his head and speaks to Ebenezer Scrooge on the right. Scrooge wears a sleeping hat and robe and looks fascinated by the ghost
Reginald Owen, playing Scrooge, speaks with the ghost of Marley, played by Leo G. Carroll, in the 1938 MGM film A Christmas Carol

On Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by four ghosts in total. The first is the ghost of Jacob Marley, his old business partner.

Marley warns Scrooge that he will be visited by three ghosts – and sometimes people can forget to include Marley when focusing on these three spirits. The first spirit to visit Scrooge is the Ghost of Christmas Past, who shows him visions through his early years and adulthood, reminding him of happier times.

The second is the Ghost of Christmas Present, who shows Scrooge visions of Christmas Day and the celebrations of Bob Cratchit his family, as well as Scrooge's nephew, Fred. The third is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, the more eerie of the spirits, who shows Scrooge a funeral scene, three people picking through the belongings of the deceased in an alleyway and then the Cratchit household, where Tiny Tim has died.

Later seeing a tombstone engraved with the name, Scrooge says he will change his ways to avoid a similar fate.

The ghost of Jacob Marley, on the left, is transparent tied in thick, metal chains. He wears a Victorian suit with bandages around his head and speaks to Ebenezer Scrooge on the right. Scrooge wears a sleeping hat and robe and looks fascinated by the ghost
Reginald Owen, playing Scrooge, speaks with the ghost of Marley, played by Leo G. Carroll, in the 1938 MGM film A Christmas Carol
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What are the themes in A Christmas Carol?

Actor and comedian Jim Carrey, wears black trousers, a black shirt, a grey blazer and sunglasses at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival for Disney's A Christmas Carol. He leans against a barrier, smiling and looking up the the sky. Behind the barrier is a large poster for the animated film, showing Scrooge, a Victorian character holding a candle, wearing a hat, scarf and small glasses, looking unpleasant. In front of the poster is a manmade winter wonderland, with snow dusted on the floor, a Christmas tree with red baubles and a large silver bauble and large red bauble
Actor and comedian Jim Carrey at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival for Disney's A Christmas Carol

Through the generations, A Christmas Carol has stood the test of time, being adapted numerous times in television, film and on stage. When it comes to the big screen,festive favourites include The Muppet’s Christmas Carol, starring Michael Caine as Scrooge and Disney’s animated film A Christmas Carol, which sees actor and comedian Jim Carrey voice the lead.

But while Christmas is a key part of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – it is more than just a classic, festive story. Despite being written nearly 200 years ago, its message and themes are still relevant and relatable today.

There are many themes running through Dickens's famous story – from greed to redemption and compassion. So many of the themes are captured in the journey of just one character – Scrooge.

To take a closer look at the many themes captured in A Christmas Carol, click here. You can also test your knowledge in another quiz here.

This article was written in November 2025

Actor and comedian Jim Carrey, wears black trousers, a black shirt, a grey blazer and sunglasses at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival for Disney's A Christmas Carol. He leans against a barrier, smiling and looking up the the sky. Behind the barrier is a large poster for the animated film, showing Scrooge, a Victorian character holding a candle, wearing a hat, scarf and small glasses, looking unpleasant. In front of the poster is a manmade winter wonderland, with snow dusted on the floor, a Christmas tree with red baubles and a large silver bauble and large red bauble
Actor and comedian Jim Carrey at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival for Disney's A Christmas Carol
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