Advent Calendar

Ireland

Poland

Sweden

Mexico

Thailand

Taiwan

Argentina

Scotland

Iceland

Nigeria

Italy

Finland

Ukraine

Australia

Japan

Slovenia

Festive Trivia

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16

What big event is held in the Postojna Caves each year? a. Krampus Fest, featuring bands dressed like Krampus; b. A live Nativity scene; c. Sleigh rides to visit Santa Claus; d. Stalactite Fest where these natural wonders are dressed in Christmas lights, garland and tinsel.

Slovenia

In Japan, there often is a two-hour wait just to get this delicacy for Christmas dinner. What is it? a. Crab-stuffed carp; b. A special holiday sashimi only made each year on December 25th; c. Kentucky Fried Chicken; d. Hooters Atomic Wings.

Japan

In Australia, no Christmas is complete without Pavlova. It is a meringue-based dessert with a crisp crust and a soft, marshmallow-like center. It is usually topped off with fruit and whipped cream. The dessert is named after: a. Queen Victoria's dog named Pavy who liked whipped cream; b. The town Pavlova, located near Sydney; c. Russian Ballerina Ann Pavlova; d. Pavlova means "custard" in the Outback.

Australia

Ukrainians will decorate at Christmas with a "Didukh". It is made from the last stalks of wheat collected during the previous harvest. A Didukh is supposed to symbolize the family's wish for what? a. An abundance of healthy, flaxen-haired children; b. Enough grain to feed the animals during the winter; c. The intertwined stalks mean a marriage before the next harvest; d. Good luck and a bountiful harvest.

Ukraine

Each country has its own unique Santa Claus. In Finland, their gift-giver is the Joulupukki. What is a Joulupukki? a. An evil goat man; b. A tiny garden gnome figure; c. An ancient hunter clad entirely in Caribou fur and boots; d. A blue Fairy who is the niece of Grandfather Frost.

Finland

Many Italians like to play Tombola on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. What is Tombola? a. A form of soccer that can be played in teams of 3; b. A game similar to Bingo; c. A card game where grandparents and grandchildren play against the parents; d. A woodwind instrument similar to a flute or piccolo.

Italy

There is a traditional Christmas dish that is served to any guests throughout the holiday season. It is made a variety of different ways, but the base ingredient is always the same. What is it? a. Plantains; b. Goat meat; c. Coconut; d. Rice

Nigeria

There has been a lot written about the 13 Yule Lads. They are troll brothers who live in the mountains and cause mischief and mayhem from December 11 until December 24. They also will leave candy and small toys if you are good, and potatoes if you have been bad. However, in 1746, an actual law was passed regarding the Yule Lads. What was it? a. It named the Yule Lads as official emissaries for Iceland; b. It made it a crime to change the names of or create any new Yule Lads; c. It banned parents from tormenting their children with evil stories about the Yule Lads; d. It required a special tax be paid to sculpt large statues of all 13 Yule Lads.

Iceland

Scotland has such interesting Christmas traditions given that the holiday was banned there until 1958. One unique piece of history is when the rest of us sang the "12 Days of Christmas", they were singing the "13 Days of Yule" as far back as the 1800s. Some of the items that the true love provided for Yule included: a. A switch, a horn, and a sheep; b. A kilt, a pipe, and a Scally cap; c. Feed corn, a fairy, and a plaid striped pony; d. A bull, a baboon, and stalks of corn.

Scotland

In Argentina, the Christmas Eve party goes on all night. In fact, you need to distract the kids so Papai Noel or Bom Velhinho (the "Good Old Man") can bring the presents. When does he arrive? a. Early in the morning, before the family leaves for church; b. In the middle of the dancing before dawn; c. At midnight, during the fireworks and the globitos; d. During the Asada, early on Christmas Eve.

Argentina

During the Christmas season in Taiwan, they also celelebrate the Dongzhi Festival on the Winter Solstice (December 22). This is when the Taiwanese will host a ceremony to worship their ancestors. What do they do? a. Light candles and place wreaths on their graves; b. Offer up cakes made of rice and shaped in the form of animals; c. Dress up in the clothes of the ancestors and attempt to summon their spirits; d. Attempt to mimic the actions and language of the ancestors throughout the entire day.

Taiwan

Elephants play a central role in the Christmas celebration in Thailand. You will see them featured in advertisements and commercials, and even in the Nativity scene. Where else do you see the elephants do? a. Eight elephants pulling Santa's sleigh; b. Elephants wearing Santa hats and delivering gifts to school children; c. Elephants pulling floats in the annual Christmas parade; d. Elephants dressed as Krampus to scare the naughty children.

Thailand

In Mexico, there is a tradition that begins on December 16th and ends on December 24th. Locals will turn out every night to recreate the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. What is it called? a. Caminata sagrada b. Bendito viaje c. Gift of the Magi d. Posadas

Mexico

During the Christmas season, the consumption of Coca Cola in Sweden drops by 50%. Why?a. Coffee and tea consumption increases because of the bitter cold;b. It is a tradition to fast from soda during the holidays;c. Most Swedes drink Julmust, a non-alcoholic alternative to beer;d. Pepsi is better in December.

Sweden

In America, there is traditionally one main gift giver -- Amazon. OK, Santa. In Poland, based on the traditions of the countries around them and their own family customs, how many different gift givers do they have? a. 6 (Santa Claus, Star-Man, Baby Jesus, Little Star, Little Angel, Grandfather Frost) b. 2 (Santa Claus and Baby Jesus) c. 1 (Santa Claus) d. 3 (Santa Claus, Baby Jesus, Grandfather Frost)

Poland

In Ireland, the Christmas season extends into January. In southern Ireland, January 6 marks the end of the season and is a very special day. What is it called? a. No Pub Day b. Free Guiness Day c. Three Kings Festival d. Women's Christmas

Ireland