Holiday Characters From Around the World Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The caganer, a holiday figurine found in parts of Spain, Portugal and Italy, is depicted as performing which of the following acts?

Answer: Defecation

The caganer is one of Europe's more unusual holiday characters and is depicted in the act of defecating. Small statues of the caganer are often found in nativity scenes. They are small statues that depict a peasant man in a red stocking cap in the squatting position. The exact origin of this figure is unknown but has been around since at least the 17th century.

2. In the 1964 television holiday special, which of the following of Santa's reindeer is the father of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"?

Answer: Donner

Donner (originally named Donder/Dunder) is the sire of little Rudolph. The first time the names of Santa's reindeer appear is in the 1823 Christmas poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" also known as "The Night Before Christmas". We first hear of Rudolph in a story by Robert May in 1939. Singer Gene Autry released his version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in 1949. All of these occurrences have led to Santa's reindeer becoming one of the more well-known Christmas characters around the world.

The original idea of reindeer helping Santa originated in Scandinavia and has multiple variations.

3. In the country of Greece, it is St. Peter, as opposed to St. Nicholas, that is most often associated with Christmas.

Answer: False

Actually, it is St. Basil that is associated with the holiday season in Greece. It is thought that Father Christmas was given St. Basil's name. He is thought to bring presents for children on January 1st, which is also known as St. Basil's Day.

4. Dominick the Donkey is a well-known Christmas character in which of the following countries?

Answer: Italy

"Dominick the Donkey" was a holiday song that was first released in 1960 by Lou Monte. It tells the story of a donkey that helps Santa to deliver toys to the children of Italy. It is very loosely based on Italian folklore, but since the release of this song, Dominick has become a very popular holiday figure in Italy.

His image can be seen with Santa in the same manner that reindeer are seen with Santa in other parts of the world.

5. Which Christmas character came from the mind of Theodor Geisel, and can be best described as a bright green man-like creature who hates Christmas, has skinny arms and legs and a nasty smile?

Answer: The Grinch

In 1957, Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, released his holiday story "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". The story was so popular that in 1966 an animated television special of the same name was released. It was narrated by well-known horror actor Boris Karloff.

This television special has been shown every Christmas season since it was released and has been seen by generations of children who eagerly await its broadcast on television.

6. What is the job of Krampus, an Austrian mythical holiday figure who is said to accompany St. Nicholas on his holiday journey?

Answer: Punishes bad children

Krampus is a scary holiday figure that is also found in Croatia, Hungary, and Slovakia. He travels with St. Nicholas to punish children who were bad, while St. Nicholas leaves gifts for children who were good. He is depicted as a demon-like character with horns.

Some traditions have him birching bad children (whipping them with a birch wood rod). Other traditions depict him as having a basket on his back in which he puts bad children before he deposits them in the pits of hell.

7. Le Pere Fouettard is a Christmas character that assists Santa in the holiday traditions of which European country?

Answer: France

Le Pere Fouettard, literally "The Whipping Father", is said to accompany Santa on his holiday rounds in France. He brings lumps of coal for the stockings of bad boys and girls. He also is depicted as carrying a stick to sometimes flog bad children. Images of him show an old man with a sinister face, dressed in black clothing, with long stringy hair and a long beard.

8. In which frigid country might you hear the story of Gryla, an old female ogre- like monster who was believed to come down from the mountains during the holidays, to steal and sometimes eat, children who had been naughty?

Answer: Iceland

The legend of Gryla is found in Iceland. Even though she was mentioned as early as the 13th century, her character was not actually associated with Christmas until the 17th century. She was so fearsome that laws were passed in the 18th century forbidding the use of her name to scare children.

Another holiday legend in Iceland claims she is the mother of the Yule Lads who are similar to Santa Clause with brothers. Some of the Icelandic legends concerning these characters are every bit as scary as those of Gryla.

9. In which of the following countries would you live if you were waiting for presents from The Smallest Camel?

Answer: Syria

In Syria, gifts are expected and exchanged at the Epiphany which falls on January 6th. The legend of the smallest camel comes down from the story of the three wise men who traveled to Bethlehem with their camels to see the Christ child. Even though the smallest camel was completely exhausted from carrying such a heavy load, he so wanted to see the baby, that he persevered and managed to carry his share of the gifts all the way. Because he never gave up, and tried so very hard, he was granted immortality and still carries the holiday gifts to this day.

10. "Frosty the Snowman" is a holiday character that originated in which of the following countries?

Answer: USA

"Frosty the Snowman" originated in the U.S. in 1950 as a holiday song by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys. The song was made into a children's book the same year. An animated television special followed in 1969 and featured the voice of Jimmy Durante as the narrator. Frosty has been a Christmas icon for over half a century.

Source: Author dcpddc478

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

There are many ways to celebrate the holiday season and many characters other than Santa. Here are some of these interesting holiday legends. Ho ho ho, how many will you know?

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