Name These Christmas Traditions From Around the World

By: Lauren Lubas
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Name These Christmas Traditions From Around the World
Image: Ryan McVay / DigitalVision / Getty Images

About This Quiz

When it comes to Christmas, there are two types of people: those who want to keep everything traditional and those who want to create new traditions. No matter which category you fall under, you know that Christmas is a time to fill your home with joy and wonderful smells. It's a time to look back, reminisce and avoid leaving the house when it's ridiculously cold.

For those who love celebrating Christmas traditions or creating new ones of their own, this quiz is going to show you how Christmas is celebrated all around the world. While you may recognize hints of traditions that were passed down to you over the generations, some of these activities might be completely foreign to you. But it's important to remember that Christmas has been celebrated as Jesus's birthday since the year 336. Before that, Dec. 25 and a few days around that celebrated the winter solstice, and some of those pagan traditions crossed over with Christian ones, and we created an interesting holiday that has variations celebrated across the world. The evolution of these traditions has changed the way we celebrate the holiday. 

If you're full of cheer on Nov. 1, and can't wait to count down the 12 days of Christmas, take this quiz to see if you recognize how others celebrate the holiday. You may just find that we have more in common with other parts of the world than you think.

Sinterklaas and shoes
Holy Heroes via YouTube
What does Sinterklaas do with German children's shoes on Dec. 5?
Cleans them
Replaces them
Ties them in knots
Fills them with toys and candy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While it might seem odd (and a little stinky) to use shoes as a vessel for gift and candy delivery, this tradition has spread to various other parts of the world. St. Nicholas Day was an important time of year to prepare children for the ultimate Christmas.

Midnight Mass
Patrick Sweeney via WikiCommons
Many Catholics attend this service on Christmas. What is it called?
Birth Ritual
Service of the Lord
Midnight Mass
Nativity Mass
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It is the midnight that connects Christmas Eve to Christmas Day. This is a special service held by a lot of Christian churches, but is considered one of the most important masses of the year by Catholics.

Tamales
MiguelMalo / E+ / Getty Images
What is a main part of the traditional Christmas feast in Costa Rica?
Cheeseburgers
Bread and fish
They fast during Christmas in Costa Rica.
Pork and chicken tamales
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Costa Ricans have several different traditions surrounding their Christmas celebrations. These include building and decorating a nativity as a family and eating a huge feast at the end of the night.

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The feast of seven fishes
Chowhound via YouTube
On Christmas Eve, Italian families participate in what kind of feast?
The feast of eight veals
The feast of meatballs
The feast of seven fishes
The feast of six meats
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The feast of seven fishes is exactly what it sounds like. It follows the Italian Catholic tradition of eating no red meat on the eve of major religious festival days.

Giant Lantern Festival
Ramon FVelasquez via WikiCommons
What kind of festival does the Philippines hold every year around Christmas?
Giant Tree Festival
Dia de Los Muertos
Shining Festival
Giant Lantern Festival
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Giant Lantern Festival is usually held in San Fernando. It is a time when thousands of lanterns are released into the sky. Each lantern represents the Star of Bethlehem. It's one of the most spectacular sights you can see around Christmas.

Nativity scene
susannah v. vergau / photos4dreams / Moment / Getty Images
Many cultures put up a diorama of the birth of Jesus. What is it called?
Away in the manger
The Holy Inn
Nativity scene
Christmas story
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The nativity scene can be as big or as little as you want. While larger organizations and churches create a nativity scene that can even include live animals, many simply have Jesus, Mary and Joseph huddled together.

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Christmas list
jf / Cultura / Getty Images
Do you know what children in Germany do with their Christmas lists?
Burn them
Send them to the North Pole
Decorate them and leave them on the windowsill
Fold them into animals
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When it comes to writing wish lists for Christmas, the Germans have a special take on asking. Children are supposed to decroate the lists with special pictures for Christkind, and leave them on the window sill to ensure he receives them.

Krampus
Dan Dangler - Rochester, NY / Moment Open / Getty Images
Who is the devil-like creature naughty children fear on Christmas morning in Austria?
Milgnero
Krindlekrouch
Krunchers
Krampus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though the majority of terrifying stories and threats have left Christmas traditions over generations, Krampus is still alive and well in most Austrian households. He's terrifying, but he gets the job done.

Goose Dinner
GMVozd / E+ / Getty Images
What bird do the Irish eat on Christmas?
Goose
Chicken
Turducken
Turkey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Irish have a long-standing tradition of serving giant feasts on Christmas. A traditional Christmas feast for the Irish includes goose, potatoes, cranberries and roasted vegetables.

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Bowl of porridge
Arx0nt / Moment / Getty Images
In which country would you leave out a bowl of porridge for a guardian gnome?
Norway
Spain
Russia
Ireland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The gnomes that guard your barn are very important. To ensure they don't take the holiday off, you have to leave a bowl of porridge out for them to keep them warm and energized for a wild night.

Yule goat
Baltica via WikiCommons
In Sweden, a giant straw goat is created as a decoration. What is that goat called?
Billy Claus
Microgoat
Yule goat
Straw offering
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1966, the idea of creating a giant yule goat out of straw gained favor with Christmas crowds. However, the tradition of the Yule goat has deeper roots, dating back to the times when Sweden celebrated the pagan holidays.

Christmas in El Salvador
Henryk Sadura / Moment / Getty Images
How does El Salvador celebrate Christmas?
They don't celebrate Christmas.
Fireworks displays
With several reindeer
Throwing food at the ceiling
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

December 24th and 25th are celebrated with a lot of pomp in El Salvador. Much like the American Independence Day, El Salvadorian Christmases are filled with fireworks displays. The children even get to play with firecrackers.

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Christmas gift
Portra / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Who delivers gifts to Russian children?
Bouscha
Babouschka
Millner
Sinter Kringle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The tradition of Babouschka (or grandmother/old woman) delivering presents comes from a bible story in which an older woman didn't give anything to baby Jesus. In order to repent, she delivers gifts to all the children.

Broom
jimss / Moment / Getty Images
In Norway, you might find that people hide their brooms on Christmas Eve. Why do they do this?
So elves don't clean
So witches don't steal them
So no one sweeps their presents
So gnomes don't clean their house
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There is a myth that a witch will steal your broom on Christmas Eve to take it for a midnight joyride. You don't want anyone interrupting the reindeer while they're in the air, so it's best to hide your broom from the witches.

Porridge on Christmas
Firmafotografen / E+ / Getty Images
If you live in Finland, what do you hope to find in your porridge on Christmas morning?
A peanut
An almond
A bay leaf
A yule log
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hiding things in food has been a part of celebrations around the world for generations. If you are the lucky one who finds an almond in your porridge on Christmas morning, you are considered the winner. In ancient times, it meant the finder would be the first to get married.

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Christmas in Ireland
LIDL US, LLC.
What do the Irish leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve?
Potatoes and cabbage
Corned beef
Cookies and corned beef
Mince pies and Guinness
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is not a joke. Santa definitely has fun flying over Ireland, although, we aren't sure how he doesn't get super sleepy after eating such a heavy meal. It's a good thing his reindeer are flying.

Window in Ireland
Sarah Franklin www.eyeshoot.co.uk / Moment / Getty Images
On Christmas Eve, what do the Irish put in their windows?
A wreath
A dreamcatcher
A large red candle
Spider webs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The large red candle that the Irish put in their window is meant to show that Mary and Joseph are welcome in the home. It is a throwback to the birth of Jesus and the spirit of giving and welcoming during Christmastime.

Moscow at Christmas
Rommanoff via YouTube
On what day of the year do Russians celebrate Christmas?
Jan. 7
Dec. 5
Dec. 25
Dec. 31
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Russia, along with several Eastern European countries, celebrates Christmas on Jan. 7. This follows the tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church, delivering gifts on Three Kings Day.

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Junkanoo dancers
WikiPedant via WikiCommons
Special dancers are a part of Christmas celebrations in Jamaica. Do you know what these dancers are called?
Flipper dancers
Whipple dancers
Junkanoo dancers
Merachu dancers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Junkanoo dancers perform dances based on African dances. Jamaica's Christmas celebrations also include large parades and intricate costumes to express the spirit of the season for all to see.

Santa's sleigh in a desert
avid_creative / E+ / Getty Images
Do you know what drives Santa's sleigh in Australia?
Kangaroo
Elves
The presents
Santa doesn't have a sleigh in Australia.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This isn't insensitive. Australians actually call Santa's kangaroos the Six White Boomers. There is even a very popular Australian Christmas song about them. Additionally, in Australia, Santa wears fewer layers. It is summertime, after all.

Christmas feast in New Zeland
Jessie Casson / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Do you know how a Christmas feast in New Zealand is usually cooked?
In a pot of water
In a steamer
On a barbecue
In the oven
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Remember that New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning that Christmas comes around right in the middle of the summer season. This makes it the perfect time to have friends over for a barbecue.

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Las Posadas
Canal Mormón via YouTube
Can you tell us the name of the Mexican traditional march that launches the Christmas season?
Las Posadas
Memoria
Belleta
Bonita Luces
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Las Posadas kicks off the Christmas festivities for Mexicans. They usually march through the streets in a re-enactment of the journey that Mary and Joseph took before Mary gave birth to Jesus.

Oplatek
Julo via WikiCommons
Polish families share a wafer on Christmas Eve. What is this wafer called?
The Giving
Oplatek
Maropik
Czuszmik
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anyone who grew up in a Polish family knows that this wafer is roughly the consistency of packing foam. It is representative of the body of Christ. You break off a piece of it and wish each other Merry Christmas.

Christmas lads
NoStressMS via YouTube
Who delivers presents to children in Iceland?
Reindeer
Santa Claus
Christmas lads
Rubio
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Christmas lads, or jolasveinarnir, are considered mischievous pranksters in many cultures. However, in Iceland, you receive presents from 13 of these jovial boys instead of Santa Claus.

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Children and Christmas gift
Tatyana Aleksieva Photography / Moment / Getty Images
What day of the year do children in Holland receive presents?
Dec. 25
Dec. 5
Dec. 15
Jan. 7
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though most of us celebrate Christmas on the 25th, in Holland things are a bit different. They give and receive presents on the Dec. 5. Additionally, Santa (Sinterklaas) only leaves treats if you leave a carrot for his horse.

Kissing under the mistletoe
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Do you know where the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe began?
Scandinavia
Ireland
Germany
Poland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To this day, people all over the world still hang mistletoe as a decoration during Christmas. The actual tradition of kissing under the mistletoe began in Scandinavia, because mistletoe is thought to have love and healing powers. Of course, this is after mistletoe traditions were passed to the Norse, having originated in Ancient Greece.

Nisser
Øyvind Holmstad via WikiCommons
In Denmark, what characters are displayed to protect homes during Christmas?
Fisser
Cisser
Wisser
Nisser
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dating back to pagan celebrations of the winter solstice, nisser were little characters that ensured your home stayed safe during the celebration of brighter days (also known as jol). Even when Christianity was introduced to the Danes, they kept this tradition.

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Christmas pickle
MLive via YouTube
If you find this ornament, you get an extra present. What is this tradition called?
Christmas pickle
Christmas cucumber
Christmas hunt
Pickle presents
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Christmas pickle tradition is a bit of a mystery. Most people believe that it has German origins, but the most likely origins are Bavarian. No matter where the tradition started, it holds strong today, with some towns even holding Christmas pickle festivals.

Iceland Christmas
George Pachantouris / Moment / Getty Images
How many days of Christmas does Iceland celebrate?
13
12
2
1
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While we all know the song "The 12 Days Of Christmas," many don't realize that Iceland has 13 full days of celebrations. Each night a different Christmas Lad visits and leaves a present ... but only if you leave your shoes by the window.

Sauna in Finland
GMA Public Affairs via YouTube
Can you tell us what the Finnish traditionally do on Christmas Eve to prepare for Santa's arrival?
Sit in a sauna
Wash their walls
Take down their tree
Add a nativity scene
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The sauna represents a cleansing of the body and mind in ancient customs. In Finland, people sit in the sauna on Christmas Eve to cleanse themselves. This tradition goes back several generations.

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Christmas Tree in Finland
Jared I. Lenz Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Do you know what the customary decorations for a Christmas tree are in Finland?
Beeswax strings
Mobiles made out of straw
Violets
Roses
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You will mostly see geometric shapes on a Finnish Christmas tree. These mobiles are made out of straw, which is an inexpensive material that is malleable, yet strong. The decorations can be intricate or simple.

Japanese family having Christmas lunch
recep-bg / E+ / Getty Images
Can you tell us the traditional Christmas meal in Japan?
The Japanese don't celebrate Christmas.
Donuts
Fried fish
Fried chicken
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

That's right, in Japan they eat fried chicken for dinner on Christmas. The custom started in 1974, when when KFC (yes, the fast food company) began a promotion to have "Kentucky for Christmas" in Japan. It's still a hit today.

Christmas sweets Canada
Anjelika Gretskaia / Moment / Getty Images
While many countries bake sweets for the holidays, in which country is it one of the most important traditions of the holidays?
Mexico
Canada
Russia
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canada has long claimed the Santa himself is originally from there. Canadians take Christmas celebrations very seriously, and when it comes to cookie baking, entire towns get involved, swap recipes and share their delicious treats with each other.

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Turron
Spain on a Fork via YouTube
You will find this lovely dish in Spain during Christmas feasts. Do you know the name of it?
Eppa
Micron
Tris marones
Turron
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Turron is a dessert that is made with honey, sugar, almonds and egg whites. It is said that there are recipes for Turron that date all the way back to the 16th century, as this tradition has been going on for hundreds of years.

Ukraine Christmas decoration
Kin via YouTube
What do Ukrainians hang on their tree as a part of their Christmas tradition?
Ferns
Webs
Wishes
Snakes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The spiderweb tradition in Ukraine comes from a Christmas story about a poor woman who didn't have enough money to decorate her Christmas tree. However, when her children woke up in the morning, the tree was covered in webs that functioned as decorations.

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