Q 01/05

Julmust, Sweden's dark spiced Christmas soda, is famous for outselling which global rival every December?

A) Pepsi

B) Mountain Dew

C) Coca-Cola

D) Fanta

Answer · why

C) Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola sales in Sweden reportedly fall by as much as half over the holiday, when julmust accounts for around half of all the soft drink the country...

Q 02/05

Swedes celebrate Christmas on 24 December because medieval Sweden began each new day at what moment?

A) Sunset

B) Sunrise

C) Midnight

D) Noon

Answer · why

A) Sunset

Sunset on 24 December once marked the start of Christmas Day, and the evening celebration stayed put even after Sweden switched to counting days from ...

Q 03/05

What does the girl chosen as Lucia wear in a crown on her head in Sweden's 13 December processions?

A) Holly sprigs

B) Silver bells

C) White roses

D) Candles

Answer · why

D) Candles

Candles in the crown stand for the light Lucia carries into the dark Swedish winter, although these days the flames are usually electric.

Q 04/05

What is hidden in the Christmas rice porridge in Sweden, said to bring luck to whoever finds it?

A) A coin

B) An almond

C) A raisin

D) A hazelnut

Answer · why

B) An almond

An almond in the bowl means a lucky year ahead for its finder in Sweden and Finland, while in Norway and Denmark whoever gets it wins a small present ...

Q 05/05

Which animal, now a straw ornament, brought Swedish Christmas presents before Santa Claus took over?

A) Reindeer

B) Elk

C) Goat

D) Pig

Answer · why

C) Goat

Goat costumes were worn by a man of the family to hand out the gifts in the 1800s, and Finland's Santa still carries the old name, Joulupukki.