Holidays are coming

What is the name of the scary, horned mythical figure from Alpine folklore that follows St. Nicholas around, terrorizing naughty children?

• Grinch

• Krampus

• Baba Yaga

• Yeti

Answer explanation

During Christmastime in some European areas like Austria and Bavaria, you’ll probably see a lot of Krampus — horns, hairy hide and all.

What is the star ingredient in a traditional British Christmas pudding?

• raisins

• lemons

• chocolate

• pumpkin

Answer explanation

This is tricky, because Christmas pudding is also referred to as “plum pudding.” But plum here can refer to any dried fruit — usually raisins — and traditional recipes date back to medieval times.

People in the American South often eat this food to attract good luck in the New Year. (Hint: It’s also traditionally served during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.)

• black-eyed peas

• tomatoes

• oranges

Answer explanation

Once looked down on for their plainness and associated with poverty, black-eyed peas are now considered an auspicious dish to ring in the new year.

Many Japanese families make a tradition of eating a Christmas meal at which fast food restaurant?

• KFC

• McDonald's

• Pizza Hut

• Subway

Answer explanation

Fried chicken is a huge Christmas tradition in Japan. In fact, KFC Japan’s busiest day of the year is usually December 24.

Some communities across Sweden celebrate the Yule season by erecting a large straw effigy of this animal, and then setting it on fire.

• horse

• dove

• goat

Answer explanation

The Yule Goat, or “Julbock,” is a common sight in Sweden around the winter solstice; and not just in giant, flammable form. Little ornament-sized versions are popular, too (and safer).

Every year, the world’s largest Hannukah menorah makes an appearance in which city?

• Chicago

• New York City

• Toronto

• London

Answer explanation

A 32-foot steel menorah is erected near New York City’s Central Park at sundown on every first day of Hannukah. However, there are actually two of these giant menorahs that vie for the title of the tallest — the one in Manhattan, and another in Brooklyn.

Las Posadas is a Christmas festival celebrated in Mexico that traditionally includes children in religious costumes parading through a city street, accompanied by music and carols. What moment in the biblical Christmas story does this celebration commemorate?

• Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem

• the angel appearing to the shepherds

• the three wise men traveling to see the baby Jesus

Answer explanation

Las Posadas means “The Inns,” and is a celebration of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. At the end of the procession, children sometimes get to crack open a piñata shaped like a star.

People in some areas of Europe and China don which color underwear to bring them luck on New Year’s Eve?

• yellow

• green

• red

Answer explanation

Red is considered an auspicious color in many cultures.

Junkanoo is a holiday celebration that features lavish parades with intricate costumes and floats. These parades — often the talk of the community — take place on Boxing Day and New Year’s, and originated on what island nation?

• The Bahamas

• Fiji

• New Zealand

Answer explanation

Junkanoo began in The Bahamas in the 17th century as a masquerade among slaves of West African descent. Junkanoo parades have since cropped up in other areas of the Caribbean the the US, but it is still considered a uniquely Bahamian tradition.

Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree?

• USA

• Great Britain

• Germany