Europe 1
Europe 2
North America
Ancient Traditions
Around the World
100
In France, a girl representing the Christkind is followed by Hans Trapp, dressed in a bearskin and carrying threatening "rods." What is he looking for?
A) The Christkind
B) Naughty Children
C) A Warm Meal
Naughty Children
100
During Christmas Dinners in Great Britain, what is placed beside each person?
A) A Napkin
B) A Party Cracker
C) A Present
A Party Cracker. When snapped open, a cracker makes a pop or cracking sound, and it is filled with trinkets.
100
In what part of the world does Santa Claus live?
A) The North Pole
B) The South Pole
C) The Sun
A) The North Pole
100
In France how is the name Santa Claus pronounced?
A) Father Christmas
B) Christkind
C) Père Noël
C) Père Noël, which in French means "Father Christmas"
100
Historically, which city originated the Christmas Holiday?
A) Bethlehem
B) London
C) Rome
A) Bethlehem
200
In Russia, a priest visits houses and sprinkles what in each room?
A) Holly and Ivy
B) Holy Water
C) Tinsel
Holy Water
200
In Spain, families go to church on Christmas morning, and again on January sixth. How many days after Christmas is that?
A) 8 Days
B) 10 Days
C) 12 Days
12 Days
200
What do people break open on Christmas in Mexico?
A) Gifts/Presents
B) Piñatas
C) A Special Package
B) A Piñata. They are typically filled with fruits, nuts, and candy.
200
What country introduced the idea of a Christmas Tree to everyone?
A) Great Britain
B) Germany
C) Iceland
B) Germany
200
Where does Santa Claus begin his journey?
A) The Siberian Desert
B) The South Pacific Islands
C) My House
B) The South Pacific Islands. Santa usually starts at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean and travels west.
300
In German Christmas Trees, they will hide a special "ornament" for people to find. What is the ornament?
A) A Candy Cane
B) A Pickle
C) A Special Note
A Pickle
300
In Austria families celebrate with Christmas trees, decorated with candies, cookies, and other ornaments, but the center of attraction is the what?
A) A Fireplace
B) A Manger Scene
C) A Second Christmas Tree
The Manger Scene
300
The famous appearance and look of Santa Claus comes from what country?
A) Great Britain
B) Germany
C) U.S.A.
C) U.S.A.; specifically the Coco-Cola ads of the early 1900s.
300
Kissing under the mistletoe is an old English custom that may have original in early folk festivals. The story says the custom began when ancient Britons would hang a sprig of mistletoe above their door to scare away what?
A) Fairies
B) Santa Claus
C) Witches
C) Witches. A kiss was quickly given to anyone who passed through the doorway.
300
In Iraq, families make a fire of thorn branches. When the flames have died down, each family does what?
A) Jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish
B) Roasts marshmallows for S'mores
C) Opens their Christmas presents
A) Jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish.
400
On December 5th, St. Nicholas or Sinterklaus arrives by boat in the city of Amsterdam, in The Netherlands. At home, children fill what with hay and carrots for St. Nicholas' horse?
A) Christmas Stockings
B) Wooden Shoes
C) Presents
Wooden Shoes
400
In Greece, which is where St. Nicholas was born, children go singing carols from house to house on Christmas Eve. At home, where Christmas bread is served, good luck comes to one who finds what in a slice of bread?
A) An Almond
B) A Coin
C) Mold
A Coin
400
Germany is famously known for its outdoor Christmas markets. What Canadian city holds the largest outdoor German Christmas Market in the Americas?
A) Québec
B) Toronto
C) Vancouver
A) Québec
400
The famous ballet of the "The Nutcracker" originated in what country?
A) Great Britain
B) Germany
C) Russia
C) Russia
400
In Australia it is summertime when Santa Claus comes to comes to town. How does Santa arrive?
A) On a Boat
B) On a Surfboard
C) In his Sleigh
A) On a small sturdy boat
500
Children in Finland often decorate the outdoors trees with nuts and seeds for the birds. Many Finnish country people will not eat what until the birds have eaten theirs?
A) Christmas Dinner
B) Dessert
C) Breakfast
Christmas Dinner
500
In Denmark people eat Christmas dinner at midnights on Christmas Eve. For dessert, they enjoy a special rice pudding with something for luck placed inside one. What is placed inside one of the desserts?
A) A Cherry
B) A Chocolate
C) A Almond
C) An almond. Whoever gets the almond can expect to enjoy good luck in the coming year.
500
On January 12th in Puerto Rico, a parade of children march through the streets. They are led by three other children dressed as Wise Men, with gifts for the infant Jesus in their hands. What do they call this celebration?
A) Bethlehem Day
B) The 12th Day of Christmas
C) Boxing Day
A) Bethlehem Day
500
What is the date of the earliest known representation of a Christmas tree in a private home?
A) 1492
B) 1576
C) 1621
B) 1576. It was in Turckheim, Alsace (then part of Germany, today France).
500
In China children do not decorate a "Christmas" Tree, but instead will decorate a different tree with paper chains, flowers, and colored lanterns. What do they call their decorated "Trees"?
A) A Family Tree
B) A Holiday Tree
C) A Tree of Light
C) A Tree of Light
600
The custom of hanging stockings from the mantelpiece comes from what country?
A) England
B) Greece
C) Russia
England
600
A huge feast is held on Christmas Eve, in Poland to honor the Star of Bethlehem, however, the meal does not begin until the first what appears?
A) Bird
B) Present
C) Star
C) Star. In Poland, Santa is called "Gwiazdor" or "star man" -- for the North Star.
600
In what Caribbean country do radio stations play Christmas carols as early as October, but they do it in reggae style 'mon'?
A) Bahamas
B) Cuba
C) Jamaica
C) Jamaica. Pepper lights, the local name for Christmas lights, go up even on tropical trees.
600
What ancient tradition was a Germanic Winter festival which was celebrated on the Winter solstice and ran for approximately 2 months.
A) Christmastime
B) Hanukkah
C) Yule
C) Yule
600
A successful advertising campaign in the 1970s made eating at KFC around Christmas a national custom in what Asian country.
A) China
B) India
C) Japan
C) Japan. KFC's chicken meals are so popular during the season that stores take reservations months in advance.
