Q 01/05

In which holiday gift exchange does each guest draw one name and buy only for that person?

A) Secret Santa

B) Cookie swap

C) Tombola

D) Pass the parcel

Answer · why

A) Secret Santa

Secret Santa is known in Germany as Wichteln, after the Wichtel, a sprite of Nordic folklore who does good deeds in secret.

Q 02/05

Which creamy, nutmeg-topped holiday drink is often spiked with rum or brandy?

A) Chai latte

B) White Russian

C) Eggnog

D) Hot cocoa

Answer · why

C) Eggnog

Eggnog once caused a riot: at West Point in 1826, cadets smuggled in whiskey to spike the Christmas batch, and the drunken night ended in courts-marti...

Q 03/05

What festive plant with vibrant red and green leaves is a popular winter holiday decoration?

A) Christmas cactus

B) Poinsettia

C) Amaryllis

D) Holly

Answer · why

B) Poinsettia

Poinsettia's red 'petals' are really bracts, modified leaves that turn colour only after weeks of long, unbroken nights; the true flowers are the tiny...

Q 04/05

Which hot spiced holiday drink is named after an old toast meaning 'be in good health'?

A) Glögg

B) Hot toddy

C) Wassail

D) Mulled cider

Answer · why

C) Wassail

Wassail comes from the Old Norse toast 'ves heill', 'be healthy'; in England's cider country, wassailers also sing to the apple trees in midwinter to ...

Q 05/05

Which mid-December Roman festival is often cited as an influence on modern holiday gift-giving and feasting?

A) Saturnalia

B) Floralia

C) Bacchanalia

D) Lupercalia

Answer · why

A) Saturnalia

Saturnalia began on 17 December and turned Rome upside down: slaves feasted like their masters, in some accounts waited on by them, and friends swappe...