HARO Christmas Competition 2018

) In which country does Santa Claus come in swimming trunks and bathrobe? 1 a In Finland, where Santa Claus enjoys a traditional trip to the sauna after distributing the gifts. b In Australia, because it‘s midsummer here at Christmas time. c In Iceland, because he is often showered by the geysers when he is low-flying with his sled. Swimwear dries faster! ) Which special Christmas tree decorations can be found on every tree in the US? 2 a The Christmas pickle. Whoever finds it on the Christmas tree gets an extra gift. b The Christmas carrot. Whoever finds it on the Christmas tree can look forward to a happy year. c The dog bones. Whoever finds it on the Christmas tree will have an unexpected visitor to their home. In which country does the Christmas season begin on November 13th with a magical ) Christmas bread baked with rye, buckwheat and wheat? 3 a In Slovenia. b In Slovakia. c In Serbia. ) In which country are Christmas lights lit for 12 nights to protect against goblins? 4 a In Ireland, to protect against famine, which the Irish Leprechauns bring with them. b In Germany, more precisely in the Erz Mountains, where hordes of goblins do their mischief. c In Greece, where the largest log is raised for the holy night to warm the baby Jesus. ) On which dinner table are 12 different dishes traditionally sampled on Christmas Eve? 5 a In Israel, the 12 different foods symbolise the 12 sons of Jacob, as written in Genesis chapter 49, verse 28. b In Portugal, the 12 stands for completeness and harmony, which are the product of the 3 (symbolising the divine) and the 4 (symbolising order). This is expressed by the 12 dishes at Christmas. c In Poland, 12 vegetarian dishes are prepared for the guests, in memory of the 12 apostles, and an extra place is often set for unexpected guests. © HARO - Germany‘s leading parquet manufacturer www.haro.com ) Where are the children given gifts by a witch on January 6th? 6 a In Mexico, the witch Hechicero rides from house to house on her donkey, presenting the good children with sweets and leaving beans for the naughty children. b In Italy, the witch Befana flies with her broom from house to house, bringing gifts for the good children and pieces of coal for the naughty children. c In Bulgaria, the witch Veshtitsa floats from house to house and grants the good children a wish, while the naughty children are given a piece of wood. ) Under which sprig is kissing allowed at Christmas? 7 a Fir branch b Sprig of mistletoe c Cherry branch ) Where do dead horses knock on the front door at Christmas time? 8 a This custom, called „Mari Lwyd“, is celebrated in Wales. Some residents do the rounds from door to door here. One is dressed as a dead horse. They sing songs and hope for food and drink. Whoever opens the door and allows entry is entertained. The general intention is to bring good luck. b This custom, called „Each Marbh“, exists in Scotland and involves children going from door to door. They pull a horse after them, which has to be filled with sweets by the people. This custom promises that the person who gives candy will be protected against famine. c This custom, called „Capall Marbh“, is celebrated in Northern Ireland. It remembers Morty Sullivan and the fable „Fairy legends and traditions of the South of Ireland“ by Thomas Crofton Croker. He is seduced by a witch to drink on his pilgrimage and placed by her on a spirit horse. ) Which Santa Claus carries his presents in a basket? 9 a Santa Claus in the US. b Père Noël in France. c Ded Moroz in Russia. © HARO - Germany‘s leading parquet manufacturer www.haro.com ) Where do children look forward every year on December 8th to Caga Tio „pooing“ presents? 10 a In India, more precisely in Bangladesh. This is where the harvesting of coconuts begins. The ripe coconuts are thrown from the trees. The tradition is that the children try to catch the coconuts. If they catch a coconut, it brings luck in the new year. b In Spain, more precisely in Catalonia. Children hit a candy-filled log with sticks and sing „¡Caga, tió, caga!“. c In Canada, or more precisely in the province of Québec. This is where the harvesting of maple syrup begins, when the children are allowed enjoy the sweet first juice of the maple trees as a treat. ) Who wrote the famous story „A Christmas Carol“? 11 a Friedrich Schiller b William Shakespeare c Charles Dickens ) In which country do you provide a bowl of rice porridge for the Christmas elves? 12 a In Peru. Elaborately decorated with fresh fruits, the Christmas elves eat their fill so they can visit each house as they make their way through the mountainous landscape. b In Canada. As the elves make their way through the deep snow, the warm rice porridge heats their insides and gives them strength. c In Denmark. Santa Claus is helped by the red-capped elves, the mythological „nisse“ crea- tures as they are called. They eat their fill of rice porridge so they will find room again the following year for presents. ) In which of these countries does the infant Jesus come at Christmas and not Santa Claus? 13 a In Germany and Hungary. b In Russia and Austria. c In Greenland and Bolivia. ) In which country do you traditionally cut an apple crosswise on December 24th and why? 14 a In the Czech Republic. The sliced apple is said to predict the future. According to folklore, a star-shaped core symbolises happiness and a cross predicts disaster. b In Lebanon. To protect the core from being damaged by the knife, the apple is cut crosswise. The removed cores are said to protect the native „Malus trilobata“, the Lebanese wild apple, from becoming extinct. c In North Korea. The core of the sliced apple is said to reveal the initial letters of your future spouse. © HARO - Germany‘s leading parquet manufacturer www.haro.com ) Why is Christmas also called „Xmas“ in the US? 15 a It‘s faster to write. b Because Christ is written in Greek as „chi“ and the Greek letter for this looks like an X. c It is an invention of the advertising industry. ) In which country do you play tricks on each other on December 28th? 16 a In Columbia, on the „Niños traviesos“ holiday. b In the Philippines, on the „Niños inocentes“ holiday. c In Sierra Leone, on the „Niños molestos“ holiday. bonus questions ) In which country do people wish each other „Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar“? 17 a In the Netherlands. b In Sweden. c In Norway. In which country does everyone hope to win the „El Gordo“ ) in the „Lotería de Navidad“ at Christmas? 18 a In Mexico. b In Spain. c In Chile. In which country is an oak beam brought from house to house to destroy evil and ) re-energise the sun by burning it in the yard of the last house? 19 a In Lithuania. b In Latvia. c In Estonia. © HARO - Germany‘s leading parquet manufacturer www.haro.com ) Which Santa Claus lives in Spain according to popular folklore? 20 a „Sinterklaas“, the Dutch Santa Claus. b “Krampus“, Santa Claus‘ companion in Austria. c “Klees‘chen“, the Luxembourg Santa Claus. In which of these countries is December 13th a very special date during the ) Christmas festivities and why? 21 a In Sweden, because this is where Saint Lucia is celebrated. b In Belgium, because this is where the beginning of the Christmas praline season is celebrated. c In China, because this is where the beginning of the new year is celebrated. © HARO - Germany‘s leading parquet manufacturer www.haro.com correct answers 1) b 2) a 3) a 4) c 5) c 6) b 7) b 8) a 9) b 10) b 11) c 12) c 13) a 14) a 15) b 16) b 17) a 18) b 19) a 20) a 21) a © HARO - Germany‘s leading parquet manufacturer www.haro.com.

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