Q 01/05

A 1974 advertising campaign by an American fast-food chain turned which dish into a Christmas tradition in Japan?

A) Cheeseburgers

B) Fried chicken

C) Pepperoni pizza

D) Hot dogs

Answer · why

B) Fried chicken

Fried chicken "party barrels" were first pushed in 1970 by the manager of Japan's first KFC, as a stand-in for an American roast dinner. The "Kentucky...

Q 02/05

Which object do Catalan children feed for weeks, then beat with sticks until it 'poops' out Christmas presents?

A) A wooden log

B) A clay donkey

C) A stuffed sack

D) A wicker basket

Answer · why

A) A wooden log

A wooden log called the Tió de Nadal wears a painted smile and a red sock hat. Children keep it warm under a blanket, then sing a song ordering it to ...

Q 03/05

In Icelandic folklore, the giant Yule Cat eats anyone who has not received which gift before Christmas?

A) A lit candle

B) Sweet bread

C) New clothes

D) A rag doll

Answer · why

C) New clothes

New clothes were the reward for farm workers who finished processing the autumn wool in time, so the monstrous cat was a threat aimed squarely at the ...

Q 04/05

Swedish television has aired a Disney special every Christmas Eve since 1960, known there by which character's name?

A) Mickey Mouse

B) Peter Pan

C) Winnie the Pooh

D) Donald Duck

Answer · why

D) Donald Duck

Donald Duck is so much more popular than Mickey Mouse in Sweden that the special was retitled in his name. In 1997 just over half the country tuned in...

Q 05/05

When does the Philippines begin its Christmas season, often described as the longest in the world?

A) In September

B) After Halloween

C) On Advent Sunday

D) In mid-November

Answer · why

A) In September

In September the "ber months" open, the four months whose names end in those letters. The season then rolls on past New Year to a feast in mid-January...