Christmas Fun with No Worries Trivia Quiz

Answer: Count of Crackers

The Lord of Misrule (England), the Abbot of Unreason (Scotland), and the Prince des Sots (France) were all titles given to people selected to lead often drunken Christmas festivities. Some historians suggest that the custom started on the European mainland with a Feast of Fools celebrated by medieval clergy on 1 January, during which more humble clerics would take leading roles parodying church rituals. The Catholic church and Protestants eventually banned the practice, which had largely disappeared by the 18th century.

Question supplied by pitegny

Answer: A vegetable carving event

The radishes used are grown specifically for this event and are full of chemicals to enhance their size. Once carved, they only last a few hours. Some of the things carved range from nativity scenes to monsters. Thousands of visitors come to see the carvings and witness the fun.

Question supplied by Fifiscot

Answer: They didn't - they held Christmas in contempt

The Puritans held Christmas in contempt. They kept schools and shops open churches closed and called it "Foolstide"! They were following the lead of Oliver Cromwell (who overthrew King Charles I). He had decreed that December 25 should be a day of fasting and humiliation so the English could account for their sins. In Massachusetts, the Bay Colony decreed that anyone caught celebrating was subject to a 5-shilling fine! Now there's the Christmas spirit!

Question supplied by Fifiscot

Answer: Grain germinated and raised in cotton wool

Gulbiena looks like angel hair pasta, with long white strands sprouting from various grains, including canary seeds and wheat. The grains were sown in small containers lined with moist cotton wool and kept in the dark for four to six weeks before Christmas week. They were then brought out to decorate the nativity scene in homes and churches.

Malta loves religious festivals with colourful parades, locally made fireworks, and special occasion food. Baci balls, figoli, and honey balls to name a few treats.

Question supplied by windrush

Answer: La Befana

La Befana is a witch, a good witch. In return for the goodies, she gives the children gifts. She rides around on her broomstick, not in a sleigh. La Befana rides in early January on the Feast of Epiphany, not on Christmas Eve, because the Three Wise Men traditionally gave gifts to the Christ Child.

Question supplied by em1958

Answer: The Great Depression

The effects of the Great Depression were felt worldwide. In America, 25% of the country lost their jobs. Families would get together and combine the food they each brought to make a meal. The men would play cards, the women would cook and clean up, and, of course, the children would play.

Question supplied by mikegolden

Answer: Cricket

Christmas in Australia is in the middle of summer. It is hot, so Christmas lunch is often out of doors, in the garden or at the beach. After you have shelled your last prawn and drunk a few 'tinnies' (beers), what is the best thing to play in the hot sun? Cricket, of course! Traditionally played in the backyard or on the beach, it has complex rules that are impossible to explain and always quarrelled over.

Question supplied by em1958

Answer: Mountain trolls who bring gifts and play pranks

The Icelandic thirteen-day celebration of Christmas centres on mountain trolls called the Jólasveinar. Stekkjastaur is the first to arrive on 11 December, followed by Giljagaur, Stúfir, Ţvörusleikir, Pottaskefill, Askasleikir, Hurđaskellir, Skyrgámur, Bjúgnakrćkir, Gluggagćgir, Gáttaţefur, Ketkrókur, and Kertasníkir. They play pranks ranging from stealing food, licking spoons, and slamming doors to peeking in windows. They leave a small gift each night in children's shoes. Their cat, Jólakötturinn, is the Christmas cat who roams the city streets and eats anyone who has not received a new article of clothing by Christmas Eve.

Question supplied by pitegny

Answer: A series of fist fights villagers use to settle disputes

The villagers of Santo Tomás come together after church on Christmas Day to settle minor disputes that have simmered during the year amongst family members and between neighbours and business partners. After the parties declare their grievances, they embrace each other, wale away at each other under the watchful eye of a referee, and then embrace again at the end. The loser apologises, and the parties agree that the dispute is over. It could be the plot for a Rocky Does Christmas film.

Question supplied by pitegny

Answer: Begs for gifts

Old Man Bayka (Old Man Beggar) wanders the streets accompanied by drums and devil dancers and goes from door to door, singing and playing louder and louder until gifts are given. There is a good motive for this as the gifts and money collected are distributed to inhabitants of less affluent villages.

Question supplied by baldricksmum