An International Christmas Quiz

Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël, Sheng Dan Kuai Le, ¡Feliz Navidad! Christmas celebrations take place around the world and can vary greatly from country to country with traditions that reflect differing cultural history and national customs. Test your knowledge and learn more about how this holiday is celebrated around the globe!

QUESTIONS

1. Sprinkling yule logs with red wine is one of this country’s Christmas Eve traditions.
   
2. Eel is a traditional part of a seafood-centric Christmas Eve meal in this country.
3. Christmas was banned in this island country from 1969 to 1998.
4. In the capital city of this South American country, there is a tradition of people roller skating to early morning church services between December 16-24.
5. Christmas trees in the western part of this Eastern European country are often decorated with artificial spider webs because of the story of The Christmas Spider.
6. Fortunetelling at Christmas celebrations is a tradition of this former Eastern Bloc country.
7. Christmas has only been widely celebrated in this country for the last few decades as a non-religious holiday and Kentucky Fried Chicken is the popular choice for a Christmas Eve meal.
8. The Wren boys (or girls!) procession is a very old tradition that takes place on St. Stephen’s Day in this country.
9. The people of this country believe that Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, lives in the country’s northern part called Korvatunturi (or Lapland), north of the Arctic Circle. 
10. During the time when this country was under communist control after WWII, the government did not like St. Nicholas or Santa Claus, so they created their own version that translates to “Grandfather Frost” or “Christmas Brother,” who came on New Year’s Eve.
11. This country celebrates Las Posadas on Christmas Eve to commemorate the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge for the birth of baby Jesus. 
12. This country’s culinary traditions include serving 12 dishes meant to give good luck for the next 12 months. For Catholics, it’s meant to reflect the number of Apostles.
13. Mummering is a tradition that mainly takes place in a province of this country, where people dress up in costumes and knock on someone’s door and say in a disguised voice, “Are there any Mummers in the night?” or “Any Mummers ‘loud in?”
14. This country’s folk tradition has it that mischievous Kallikantazari, or hobgoblins, rise from the underground to wreak havoc during the 12 days of Christmas. To make sure they disappear, priests travel to homes on the day of the Epiphany, January 6, and bless them with holy water. 
15. In this country, December 25 is a public holiday, but in memory of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the country’s founder.
16. Straw is a traditional decoration in this country. It is normally spread on the table top and then covered with a clean, white tablecloth. 
17. One of the most famous Christmas carols, “Silent Night,” was written in this country in 1818.
18. Although Christmas isn’t widely celebrated in this country, a winter solstice festival called “Yalda Night” or “Chelleh Night” is celebrated on the darkest day of the year (between December 20-22).
19. Instead of just one Santa, this country is visited by thirteen “Yule Lads.”
20. The roots of the strange modern tradition of the “Christmas Pickle” ornament in the U.S. has been attributed to this country, although most people in said country have never heard of the Christmas Pickle!

ANSWERS
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1. Sprinkling yule logs with red wine is one of this country’s Christmas Eve traditions.
   France – Joyeux Noël! On Christmas Eve, a log is brought into the home and sprinkled with red wine to make it smell nice when burning. It is customary to leave the log and candles burning all night with some food and drinks left out in case Mary and the baby Jesus come past during the night. If you said Italy, you would be right too. In the past, yule logs were blessed, decorated with candles, sprinkled with wine or milk, or covered in oil, honey or butter, and were set ablaze by the head of the family.

   

2. Eel is a traditional part of a seafood-centric Christmas Eve meal in this country. 
   Italy – Buon Natale! In many parts of Italy, eel is served as part of Christmas Eve dinner (La Vigilia di Natale), particularly in the southern Italian town of Naples. It often makes an appearance as part of the Italian-American Feast of the Seven Fishes as well.
   

   

3. Christmas was banned in this island country from 1969 to 1998.
   Cuba – ¡Feliz Navidad! In 1969, then Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, banned Christmas altogether for two reasons: 1) Cuba was officially an atheist nation and 2) so that celebrations would not interfere with the sugar harvest. The ban lasted for nearly 30 years until a planned visit from Pope John Paul II to Havana in January 1998. In anticipation of the Pope’s visit, Castro declared that for one year only, Christmas would be a public holiday. The change, however, stuck and Christmas became permanent.
   

   

4. In the capital city of this South American country, there is a tradition of people roller skating to early morning church services between December 16-24.
   Venezuela – ¡Feliz Navidad! Going to Midnight Mass (Misas de Aguinaldo) is very popular and there are many other masses and church services in the days leading up to Christmas. In the capital city of Caracas, there’s a tradition of people roller skating to the early morning church services from December 16-24. Roads are often closed to traffic by 8 a.m. to make way for people to skate!

   

5. Christmas trees in the western part of this Eastern European country are often decorated with artificial spider webs because of the story of The Christmas Spider.
   Ukraine – Різдвом Христовим! The Legend of the Christmas Spider is an Eastern European folktale which explains the origin of tinsel on Christmas trees. It is most prevalent in Western Ukraine, where small ornaments in the shape of a spider web are traditionally a part of the Christmas decorations. These are made of paper and silver wire called “pavuchky,” meaning “little spider.”
   

   

6. Fortunetelling at Christmas celebrations is a tradition of this former Eastern Bloc country.
   Russia – C рождеством! Orthodox Christmas in Russia is normally celebrated on January 7. The fortnight following is believed to be the best time to try age-old methods to predict the future during the Christmas holidays. January 6 (Christmas Eve) through January 19 (Russian Orthodox Epiphany) is considered the time period for the most accurate predictions. Traditionally, fortunetelling was performed by young, unmarried women; married women and men were not allowed to take part in fortunetelling rituals. Instead, older women performed word-based rituals designed to bring prosperity to their families. In today’s Russia, many fortunetelling customs involve the whole family. Tarot cards, tea leaf reading, and coffee grounds divination are common.
   
   Similar Christmas fortunetelling traditions exist throughout the historical region of Bohemia.
   

   

7. Christmas has only been widely celebrated in this country for the last few decades as a non-religious holiday and Kentucky Fried Chicken is the popular choice for a Christmas Eve meal.
   Japan – Meri Kurisumasu! Fried chicken is often eaten at Christmastime. It is the busiest time of year for restaurants such as Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and people can place their orders at fast food restaurants in advance! There was an advertising campaign by KFC in 1974 called “Kentucky for Christmas!” (Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!) which was very successful and has been credited for making KFC popular for Christmas.
   

   

8. The Wren boys (or girls!) procession is a very old tradition that takes place on St. Stephen’s Day in this country.
   Ireland – Nollaig shona dhuit! The Wren, sometimes pronounced wran, takes place every year on December 26, St. Stephen’s Day. The tradition goes back to ancient times when a real wren (bird) was killed and carried around in a holly bush, but in modern processions, no wrens are hunted or used. The Wren boys (or girls) dress up in old clothes and painted faces; in some parts of the country, they also wear straw hats. They travel from house to house carrying a long pole with a holly bush tied to its top, singing, dancing and playing music. Sometimes they are accompanied by violins, accordions, harmonicas and horns. The Wren boys procession mostly died out in the early 20th century, although it is a well-maintained tradition in certain parts of the country, particularly in some small towns including Dingle, in Country Kerry in the South West of Ireland.

   

9. The people of this country believe that Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, lives in the country’s northern part called Korvatunturi (or Lapland), north of the Arctic Circle.
   Finland – Hyvää joulua! If you grew up in the United States, Santa Claus lives in the North Pole. But many people across the Atlantic believe that Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, lives in Finnish Lapland. People from all over the world send letters to Santa Claus in Finland. There is a big tourist theme park called “Christmas Land” in the north of Finland, near to where it is said Father Christmas lives.

   

10. During the time when this country was under communist control after WWII, the government did not like St. Nicholas or Santa Claus, so they created their own version that translates to “Grandfather Frost” or “Christmas Brother,” who came on New Year’s Eve.
    Serbia – Христос се роди! People in Serbia also celebrate St. Nicholas’ Day, but on December 19. During the time when Serbia was controlled by a communist government, St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus replaced with their own version called Grandfather Frost (Дедa Мрaз / Deda Mraz), who came on New Year’s Eve. This is similar to the Russian version of Santa Claus called Ded Moroz. Traditional Serbian customs have also mixed with western customs. For example, people also have Christmas trees but they are decorated on New Year’s Eve, not at Christmas!

    

11. This country celebrates Las Posadas on Christmas Eve to commemorate the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge for the birth of baby Jesus.
    Mexico – ¡Feliz Navidad! Las Posadas is a religious festival between December 16 and 24, which commemorates the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Children often perform the Posada processions, of which there are nine. Posada derives from the Spanish word for lodging. Houses are decorated with evergreens, moss and paper lanterns. In each Posada, children are given candles and a board with painted clay figures of Mary riding on a donkey and Joseph, and proceed through the streets. They call at the houses of friends and neighbors and sing a song at each home, a song about Joseph and Mary asking for a room in the house, but the children are told that there is no room in the house and that they must leave. Eventually they are told there is room and are welcomed in! When the children go into the house they say prayers of thanks and then they have a party with food, games and fireworks. Each night a different house holds the Posada party. At the final Posada, on Christmas Eve, a manger and figures of shepherds are put on the board. When the Posada house has been found, a baby Jesus is put into the manger and then families go to a midnight church service. After the service, there are more fireworks to celebrate the start of Christmas. Christmas Eve is known as “Noche Buena” and is a family day. People often take part in the final Posada and then in the evening have the main Christmas meal.

    
12. This country’s culinary traditions include serving 12 dishes meant to give good luck for the next 12 months. For Catholics, it’s meant to reflect the number of Apostles.
    Poland – Wesolych Swiat! Poland is a largely Catholic country and Christmas Eve, known as Wigilia (pronounced vee-GHEE-lee-uh), is a very important and busy day. Traditionally, it was a day of fasting and abstinence (not eating anything) and meat is not normally allowed to be eaten in any form. The main Christmas meal is eaten in the evening and is called “Kolacja wigilijna” (Christmas Eve supper). It’s customary that no food is eaten until the first star is seen in the sky, so children look at the night sky to spot the first one! Looking for the first star is also a reminder of the Wisemen who followed a star to visit Jesus. The 12 dishes served are meant to give good luck for the next 12 months and for Catholics, the 12 dishes symbolize the 12 disciples of Jesus. The traditionally meatless meal serves as a reminder of the animals who took the baby Jesus in the manger. Everyone is expected to try some of each dish.If you said Lithuania or Western Ukraine, you would be on the right track. These areas share similar Christmas traditions as Poland, such as the 12 dishes, as well as an extra plate and seat are always left at the table. According to folk beliefs, the spirits of the departed members of the family visit on Christmas Eve.

    

13. Mummering is a tradition that mainly takes place in a province of this country, where people dress up in costumes and knock on someone’s door and say in a disguised voice, “Are there any Mummers in the night?” or “Any Mummers ‘loud in?”
    Canada – Merry Christmas! Mummering is a tradition which mainly takes place in the province of Newfoundland, and is practiced more commonly in small towns and villages rather than large towns and cities. It’s also sometimes called “Jannying.” People dress up in costumes and knock on someone’s door and speak in a disguised voice. Then they sing and dance and have Christmas cake and a cup of something nice before moving on to the next house. In some places, if the host does not guess who the Mummers are, the host must join the Mummers in their merry-making. Mummers usually come out between December 26 and January 6 (the 12 Days of Christmas). However, some come out only before Christmas Day.

    

14. This country’s folk tradition has it that mischievous Kallikantzaroi, or hobgoblins, rise from the underground to wreak havoc during the 12 days of Christmas. To make sure they disappear, priests travel to homes on the day of the Epiphany, January 6, and bless them with holy water.
    Greece – Kala Christouyenna! A very old traditional decoration is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire suspended across the rim; a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross and hangs from the wire. Some water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day, usually the mother of the family, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house. This is believed to keep the “kallikantzaroi” Καλλικάντζαρος (bad spirits) away. The kallikantzaroi are meant to appear only during the 12-day period from Christmas to Epiphany (January 6). They are supposed to come from the middle of the earth and get into people’s houses through the chimney! They do things like put out fires and make milk go bad. Having a fire burning through the twelve days of Christmas is meant to keep the kallikantzaroi away.

    

15. In this country, December 25 is a public holiday, but in memory of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the country’s founder.
    Pakistan – Bara Din Mubarrak Ho! December 25 is a public holiday called Bara Din, but it is in memory of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. Like in India, Christians make up a very small part of the population, but the country has roughly 1.3 million Christians and Christmas celebrations do take place. During the last week of Advent, carol singing takes place in many Christian areas. They go from house to house singing carols and in return the family offers something to the choir. In large Christian areas, each house is decorated with a star on the roof and the streets are lit with lights. The crib and Christmas tree are also important decorations and there are sometimes crib competitions! On Christmas Eve, churches are packed for the midnight or vigil mass services. Afterwards, in some places, there are fireworks which help celebrate the start of Bara Din. People dance, exchange presents and enjoy the special night.

    

16. Straw is a traditional decoration in this country. It is normally spread on the table top and then covered with a clean, white tablecloth.
     Lithuania – Linksmu Kalėdu! Straw is typically spread on the top of a table and then covered with a clean, white tablecloth. The table is then decorated with candles and small branches or twigs from a fir tree. The straw reminds people of the baby Jesus lying in a manger. A superstition says that if you pull a piece of straw from under the tablecloth and it’s long, you will have a long life; but if it’s short you will have a short life; and a thick straw means a rich and happy life!
    

    

17. One of the most famous Christmas carols, “Silent Night,” was written in this country in 1818. 
    Austria – Frohe Weihnachten! Christmas in Austria really starts around 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve (“Heilige Abend”) when the tree is lit for the first time and people come to sing carols around the tree. Silent Night (“Stille Nacht”) was originally written by a priest, Fr. Joseph Mohr, in Mariapfarr, Austria in 1816. Music was later added to it in 1818 by his school teacher friend Franz Gruber, for the Christmas service at St. Nicholas church in Oberndorf, Austria. After a flood damaged the church, the parishioners rebuilt the church on higher ground with the Silent Night Memorial Chapel erected on the site of the original St. Nicholas Church altar to commemorate the carol.

    

18. Although Christmas isn’t widely celebrated in this country, a winter solstice festival called “Yalda Night” or “Chelleh Night” is celebrated on the darkest day of the year (between December 20-22).
    Iran – Krismas Mobaarak! Although Christmas isn’t widely celebrated in Iran, there is another important event that happens around the time of Christmas. In Iran/Persian culture, the winter solstice (December 21) is known as “Yalda Night” (Shab-e Yalda) or “Chelleh Night” (Shab-e Chelleh) and it’s a time when families and friends come together to eat, drink and recite poetry. Shab-e Chelleh means “night of forty” as it happens forty nights into winter. The word Yalda means “birth” and comes from when early Christians, who lived in Persia at the time, celebrated the birth of Jesus around the time of the winter solstice. Eating fruits, nuts, pomegranates and watermelons are important at Yalda/Chelleh and you can get Yalda cakes that look like watermelons!

    

19. Instead of just one Santa, this country is visited by thirteen “Yule Lads.”
    Iceland – Gleðileg Jól! Christmas is often known as “Jól” (Yule) in Iceland. This comes from the ancient winter solstice celebrations that were taken over by the early Christians and it also includes the New Year celebrations. There are many Jól customs and traditions in Iceland. One popular custom is the coming of the Jóltide Lads or “Yule Lads.” These are magical people who come down from the mountains in Iceland each day, a different Yule Lad (13 in total), from December 12 to Jól Eve. The most common names of the Yule Lads:
    Stekkjarstaur – Gimpy
    Giljagaur – Gully Imp
    Stúfur – Itty Bitty
    Þvörusleikir – Pot Scraper Licker
    Pottasleikir – Pot Licker
    Askasleikir – Bowl Licker
    Hurðaskellir – Door Slammer
    Skyrgámur – Skyr Gobbler (Skyr, an Icelandic yoghurt)
    Bjúgnakrækir – Sausage Snatcher
    Gluggagægir – Window Peeper
    GáttaÞefur – Doorway Sniffer
    Ketkrókur – Meat Hooker
    Kertasníkir – Candle Beggar
    The Yule Lads are thought of as playful imps or elves who like a lot to eat and play tricks on people. They leave little presents for children in shoes placed on the windowsill. If children have been naughty, they might leave a potato or message telling them to be good. They start going home on Christmas Day.

    

20. The roots of the strange modern tradition of the “Christmas Pickle” ornament in the U.S. has been attributed to this country, although most people in said country have never heard of the Christmas Pickle!
     Germany – Fröhliche Weihnachten! Germany is well known for its Christmas Markets where all sorts of seasonal foods and decorations are sold. Perhaps the most famous German decorations are glass ornaments. These glass ornaments were originally hand blown and imported to the U.S. in the 1880s by Woolworth retail stores; some in the shape of fruits and vegetables. In America, legend has it that the Christmas Pickle is a very old German tradition. The pickle is the last ornament to be hung on the Christmas tree and then the first child to find the pickle gets an extra present. However, most people in Germany have never heard of the Christmas Pickle!
    

    

    Please note that the author of this quiz has culled together the majority of this information about international Christmas traditions from newspapers and has not personally celebrated Christmas in any other countries outside the United States. So if you are from one of the countries mentioned in the quiz, or spent some time in these countries, and you would like to elaborate on the Christmas traditions of a particular country or tell us what we may have gotten wrong, or share even more, please do so in the comments!

Discover more:

• • Search Chronicling America* to find more historical newspaper coverage of Christmas around the world and more!
  • Check out other holiday-related blog posts on Headlines & Heroes.
  • Read other Library of Congress blog posts related to international Christmas traditions and history:
    Christmas, Soviet Style
    Ethiopian Christmas and the Ethiopian Calendar System 
    Christmas Cousins: Father Christmas and Santa Claus
  • WhyChristmas.com

* The Chronicling America historic newspapers online collection is a product of the National Digital Newspaper Program and jointly sponsored by the Library and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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