23 December 2020
How much do you really know about the world’s Christmas traditions?
If you thought the festive season was just about tinsel, trees and turkey, this world tour of Christmas traditions will make you to think again. Grab a Gluhwein and get quizzing...
1. Which country celebrates the first Sunday of advent by constructing a near four-ton Yule Goat?
Italy
Sweden
India
Vietnam
2. Where in the world would you be if you were attending Ligligan Parul (the giant lantern festival)?
Sri Lanka
Philippines
Cambodia
Malaysia
3. In which country do you need to order Kentucky Fried Chicken months in advance to enjoy the KFC tradition come Christmas Day?
Brazil
New Zealand
Japan
Norway
4. What happens in Austria on 5 December as part of annual Christmas festivities?
Festive candle parades
The devil-like Krampus judges kids based on their behaviour
Fireworks
Children share their wishes in letters to St Nicholas
5. Who are Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper), Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer), Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook) and Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer)?
Four mischievous reindeer in Denmark
The Yule Lads, four of 13 troll-like characters in Iceland
Four of seven elves who appear in Stockholm on Christmas Eve
Four puppets who feature in a festive play performed in Finland
6. Why might you hide your broom on Christmas Eve in Norway?
To avoid sweeping bad luck into your house
To ensure witches and evil spirits can't fly
To signify the pausing of chores until the New Year
Santa won’t visit if there are brooms in the house
7. Where might you find locals rollerblading to early-morning church on Christmas Eve?
Guyana
Chile
Venezuela
Colombia
8. Spider webs are a common Christmas tree decoration in which country?
Ukraine
Austria
Slovenia
Poland
9. What tradition is associated with consoda, the annual Portuguese festive feast?
Families leave wreaths on friends’ doorsteps
Families set extra places for deceased relatives
Children balance a lemon inside a Christmas tree
Families enjoy cheese platters together
10. Bagpipe-playing shepherds are a popular festive spectacle in which country?
Romania
Scotland
Italy
Belgium
11. What winter warmer is popular with Estonians?
Drinking mulled cider every day in advent
Burning resolutions on a fire
A sauna on Christmas Eve
Hot mince pies in city squares
12. Where would you not send a red Christmas card, because the colour is associated with death?
Laos
Japan
Malaysia
Bali
13. What ritual do Czech women perform every Christmas to determine how successful their love life will be in the following year?
Dance around a Christmas tree before it is decorated
Hurl a shoe over their shoulder, towards a door
Bake bread to share with neighbours
Pull crackers with a person they admire
14. What does La Befana, Italy’s ‘good witch’ do to celebrate Christmas?
Leaves Panettone in squares across all cities
Hands out presents wherever she goes
Lights advent candles across the country
Leads an annual carol festival in Florence
15. In which country might you find villagers parading the streets with a horse’s skull?
Spain
Wales
Ireland
France
16. What nativity scene tradition is specific to the Catalan region of Spain?
The figurines are all animals
The scenes are placed on the roof of churches
The scenes are illuminated with tiny lights
The scenes include a figure of a man squatting to poo
17. In what year was the first Christmas tree introduced to the UK?
1800
1801
1803
1799
18. Where is the world’s largest Christmas market?
Prague
Munich
Vienna
Krakow
