1. Who according to tradition was NOT one of the Three Wise Men?
A. Balthazar B. Caspar (Gaspar or Jasper)
C. Socrates D. Melchior
2. Which of the following has NOT been one of Santa's helpers through the ages?
A. Black Peter B. Tomtar
C. Knecht Ruprecht D. Grandfather Frost
3. Which of these is not another one of Santa's names?
A. Jultomten B. Knecht Ruprecht
C. Julesvenn D. Joulupukki
4. Which of the following is NOT another name for the gift-giving spirit of Saint Nick?
A. Burklaas B. Beelzebub
C. Befana D. Belsnickel
5. Where did the tradition of leaving out a stocking, shoe or "Santa Sack" probably come from?
A. The medieval legend of St. Nicholas dropping gold down a chimney
B. People used to leave out clean stockings in case Santa ripped his going down the chimney
C. The original St. Nicholas was known for his wealth, generosity and lavish clothing
D. The stockings were always hanging by the fire to dry anyway
6. Why is the day after Christmas known as "Boxing Day" in the UK?
A. Because of the fisticuffs that frequently break out between siblings over who gets to play with which toys by this time
B. Because boxes of solicited money were opened
C. Professional Boxing matches were frequently scheduled for the day for entertainment
D. Unwanted presents are traditionally boxed up and returned to the store
7. When is Saint Nicholas' Feast Day?
A. December 25th B. December 6th
C. Winter Equinox D. January 7th
8. Instead of reindeer, what is Santa rumoured to use to pull his sleigh when he delivers presents in Australia?
A. Zebras B. Wallabies
C. Boomers D. Koala Bears
9. Saint Nicholas was born in the country we now call … ?
A. Canada B. Finland
C. Turkey D. Holland
10. People in which of these 4 countries do NOT celebrate Christmas by going on a beach picnic?
A. Australia B. New Zealand
C. South Africa D. Iceland
Answers
C
D (Grandfather Frost is Santa's name in Russia)
B (These are Santa's names in Sweden (Jultomten), Finland (Joulupukki) and Norway (Julesvenn). Knecht Ruprecht is one of Santa's Germanic helpers)
B (Befana brings gifts to Italian children and Burklaas to German children. Belsnickel used to bring presents to German-American immigrants in the 19th century)
A (It is said that Saint Nicholas once dropped gold down a chimney so three daughters could avoid lives of desperation)
B (Some say the term relates to alms boxes opened and distributed to the poor on December 26th. More likely it relates to the earthenware boxes used by British employees to collect Christmas tips in. Eventually the practice was replaced by a day off work and/or a Christmas bonus)
B (Although it's not really celebrated here much, any good Dutch child could tell you that St Nicholas' Feast day is Dec. 6th! That's the day they get their treats!)
C (Boomers are big male kangaroos, which are more accustomed to the heat in Australia than reindeer are)
C (According to legend, Saint Nicholas was born in the heart of the Roman Empire in Patera, Turkey)
D (In three of the countries, their warm climates make beach picnics a perfect family outing to celebrate Christmas. Iceland isn't as fortunate in December.)
