QueenOfHearts
Kiva Supporter
Burlington, NJ
Gender: 
Posts: 862
I lend for them
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« on: December 12, 2008, 08:20:49 AM » |
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In celebration of our diversity, I found these quizzes online and thought I would post them just for fun!!
Let's see who can answer all of the questions.
1. What is the shape of the popular buche de Noel cake made in France at Christmas time?
2. What are the most popular Christmas tree decorations in China?
3. Why are candles placed in the windows of Irish homes on Christmas Eve?
4. According to tradition in Belgium, how does St. Nicholas travel from house to house delivering gifts to children?
5. In Germany, the three Thursdays before Christmas are known as Knocking Nights. What do children do on those nights?
6. Who brings gifts for good children in Italy?
7. People in the Czech Republic believe that Christmas Eve has a certain magic. What is it?
8. In the Ukraine, who travels with Father Frost when he delivers gifts?
9. In Austria, a bell is rung after Christmas Eve dinner to signal the opening of a locked door. What are children permitted to see for the first time behind the locked door?
10. In addition to musical instruments, what do Greek children sometimes carry when they go caroling?
11. Why does the country of Norway give a big Christmas tree to the United Kingdom each year?
12. In addition to Christmas trees, what other items are used to decorate churches in Kenya for Christmas?
13. What foods do families in Switzerland share after the traditional midnight mass?
14. What do children do with their shoes in Spain on January 5?
15. In Hungary, Christmas is celebrated twice. What are the dates for these celebrations?
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Evelyn Yvonne Theriault
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« Reply To This #1 on: December 12, 2008, 04:04:23 PM » |
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What fun! Question No.1 The buche de Noel is shaped like a log - which is what the word buche means in English. It's also very, very popular in Quebec at Christmas time and also New Year's eve. Link: Virtual Museum of Canada http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Noel/angl/buche.htm |
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« Last Edit: December 12, 2008, 04:45:30 PM by Evelyn Yvonne Theriault »
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Evelyn Yvonne Theriault, Teacher
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela
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s_shewan
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« Reply To This #2 on: December 12, 2008, 04:42:12 PM » |
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Awesome! Let's see..... Question # 2 What are the most popular Christmas tree decorations in China? Answer: Paper lanterns are the most popular decorations also paper flowers and paper chains. Oh I love paper chains....I remember when my children were younger we used to make paper chains for the Christmas tree. I think I'll get out some coloured paper and make some of my own.  Susan |
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Jane Sladen
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« Reply To This #3 on: December 12, 2008, 04:58:38 PM » |
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Question 11: Thanks for help in the second World War.
(Nova Scotia gives a huge Christmas tree every year to Boston. Why?)
Jane Sladen.
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s_shewan
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« Reply To This #4 on: December 12, 2008, 05:07:04 PM » |
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(Nova Scotia gives a huge Christmas tree every year to Boston. Why?)
Jane Sladen.
I lived in Halifax when I went to Dalhousie Univ. so I know this one. The tree is given each year to remember that during Nova Scotia's greatest disaster the people of Massachusetts rose to the occasion. During the morning hours of Dec. 6th, 1917, two munitions ships collided in the narrows of Halifax Harbor. The largest explosion in history to that time occurred destroying a good part of the city of Halifax. Over 1900 people died, over 9000 were wounded. The next day arriving by train from Boston were doctors, nurses and medical supplies. Boston Massachusetts was the first area to respond and the last to leave. Susan |
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Jan & John
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« Reply To This #5 on: December 12, 2008, 05:16:58 PM » |
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3. Why are candles placed in the windows of Irish homes on Christmas Eve?
According to one belief, the candle long served as a symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph who sought shelter in vain on that first Christmas Eve.
This flickering symbol also served as a signal in times past to any priest seeking shelter and protection that he was welcome in this house and that it was safe to say Mass there.
This symbol can also be traced back to antiquity, to the time when ancient Romans lighted candles at the midwinter festival to signify the return of the sun's light after the winter solstice.
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"The place God calls you to is the place where your deepest gladness and the world's deepest hunger meet" - Fredrick Buechner (in Wishful Thinking). "Every child should be well born, well fed, well taught, well housed and well treated." Maude Riley, Alberta Council on Child and Family Welfare 1923 "Each of us feels that we are just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less without that missing drop." --Mother Teresa 1 click per person per day on this link means 1 additional cent for the Fistula Foundation - thanks! |
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s_shewan
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« Reply To This #6 on: December 13, 2008, 01:27:23 AM » |
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14. What do children do with their shoes in Spain on January 5?
Children in Spain believe that on Epiphany Eve, January 5, the Three Kings travel through Spain on their way to Bethlehem. That night children set out their shoes filled with straw for the Three Kings' camels. The Kings, passing in the night, fill the shoes with gifts.
Susan
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Leslie
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« Reply To This #7 on: December 13, 2008, 04:08:22 AM » |
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wthepoo
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« Reply To This #8 on: December 13, 2008, 05:21:48 AM » |
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5. In Germany, the three Thursdays before Christmas are known as Knocking Nights. What do children do on those nights?
For the most part of Germany: Nothing else than on other nights.  The tradition of Knocking Nights (Klöpfelnächte, Bosselnächte) was completely new to me (never even heard it mentioned on TV or something), and I had to look it up to learn that it is restricted to the very south of Germany (mostly the southern part of Bavaria), some parts of Austria and northern Italy (Südtirol). It would be unfair now to post a solution as I cannot claim the knowledge - for German-speaking KFs also unfamiliar with this strange tradition: http://www.brauchtumsseiten.de/a-z/k/kloepfelnaechte/home.htmlBest wishes, Wolfgang. |
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s_shewan
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« Reply To This #9 on: December 13, 2008, 02:08:18 PM » |
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For the most part of Germany: Nothing else than on other nights. The tradition of Knocking Nights (Klöpfelnächte, Bosselnächte) was completely new to me (never even heard it mentioned on TV or something), and I had to look it up to learn that it is restricted to the very south of Germany (mostly the southern part of Bavaria), some parts of Austria and northern Italy (Südtirol). It would be unfair now to post a solution as I cannot claim the knowledge - for German-speaking KFs also unfamiliar with this strange tradition: http://www.brauchtumsseiten.de/a-z/k/kloepfelnaechte/home.htmlBest wishes, Wolfgang. The three Thursday nights before Christmas are called Klopfelnachten or knocking nights. On Klopfelanchten, children wearing masks go to house to house banging lids and clanging cowbells in their neighborhood. It is almost like our Halloween because the children get candy, coins, and fruit after they recite a rhyme at the door. from Kidlink.org Susan |
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