Christmas Traditions Around the World Quiz

Answer: St. Nicholas

Saint Nicholas was a 4th century saint from an area that was then Greece but is now part of Turkey. His penchant for giving gifts in secrecy, including leaving money in shoes that were left out, became the model on which the Santa Claus legend has developed.
The feast of St. Nicholas is on Dec. 6th, which is when he visits to deliver presents to the children who have been good. Those who have been bad get twigs or sticks, often left in their shoes.
Dec. 25th has traditionally been a strictly religious day in Belgium, but traditions are changing with the influx of Western influence and children now also receive gifts on that day.

Answer: Finland

Honouring the memory of departed family and ancestors is very important to Christmas tradition in Finland. Many people visit cemeteries and light candles on the graves in their memory. Other traditions have involved leaving food on the tables for their deceased loved ones and even sleeping on the floor, leaving beds open for any deceased family who might visit.

Answer: Eat it.

Mopane worms (so named because of their favourite tree), are really caterpillars of the Emperor Moth. Although they are often part of a Christmas meal in South Africa (usually fried in oil and garlic) they are eaten while in season, which happens to fall at Christmas time.

Answer: Guinness beer and mince pies

Christmas pudding might be substituted for the mince pie. Santa can also be left beer in Australia or England. The fact that it's specifically Guinness in Ireland must be influenced by the fact that Guinness is made in Ireland.
Santa is likely to get a bowl of porridge in Sweden or Norway.

Answer: He eats people who have not gotten a new piece of clothing for Christmas.

In Iceland children learn about Gryla (some call her an ogress, some say she is half troll and half animal). She lives in the mountains with her 13 children (known as the Yule Lads) and her black cat. For 13 nights before Christmas children leave out their shoes and one of the Yule Lads leaves either a gift, if the child has been good, or a rotting potato if he or she has not. Her black cat (known as the Christmas Cat) prowls around looking for anyone who has not received a new piece of clothing for Christmas.

In most versions of the lore, he eats anyone who hasn't gotten the new clothing, but in a gentler version he only steals their food and goodies.

Answer: Sweden

The Yule Goat is a Scandinavian Christmas tradition thought to originate from the worship of the Norse god Thor, whose chariot was believed to be pulled by goats. Manifestations of the Yule Goat are always made of straw, but Swedes traditionally believed that the Yule Goat was an invisible creature who oversaw the preparations for Christmas.
This particular Yule Goat was erected in the city of Gavle, Sweden from 1966 to 1970. Because it is burned by vandals more often than not, the tradition was discontinued for a few years and then started again in 1986.
Yule Goats come in many sizes.

Answer: Yes

There is a legend that tells of a poor woman who could not afford decorations for her children's Christmas tree. They awoke on Christmas morning to find a spider's web decorating the tree. When sunlight touched the web, it turned into tinsel.
Ukrainians often decorate their trees with fake spiders and finding a live spider on Christmas Day is considered very lucky.

Answer: so people can roller skate to church

Between December 16th and 24th, Venezuelans go to a daily service called Early Morning Mass (Misa de Aguinaldo). In keeping with tradition, many people roller skate to this mass and many streets are closed to traffic before 8:00, particularly in the capital city of Caracas.

Answer: goat

Christmas for Christians in Kenya is mainly a spiritual holiday. Not many families can afford to spend money on gifts. Going to church and gathering with family are what matters and the traditional meal is roasted goat, which should be finished in one meal. The larger the family, the bigger the goat and it goes down well with some Tuskers beer!

Answer: Queen Victoria

Decorating trees with nuts and fruit has been around for centuries. In fact using evergreen trees and branches as a symbol of eternal life can be dated back to the ancient Egyptians and Chinese.
The Christmas tree, as we know it, began in 15th or 16th century Germany, and was first lit with candles in the 18th century. It made an appearance in England in 1800
but was not popularised until Queen Victoria's reign. She was raised by a German mother and her husband was German. She reportedly had a Christmas tree in every room, when growing up.