GECE Holiday Party

Latin American Christmas:

What do we celebrate on December 7?

• Baby Jesus

• Candle Day

• Food and Family

• New Year

Answer explanation

On this night, people place candles and paper lanterns on windowsills, balconies, porches, sidewalks, streets, parks, and squares; in short, everywhere they can be seen, in honor of the Virgin Mary and her Immaculate Conception.

This day is the unofficial start of the Christmas season.

Latin American Christmas:

What should you wear on December 31st to have money next year?

• Something Blue

• Something Green

• Something Yellow

• Something Red

Answer explanation

Yellow is associated with money and wealth, while red is associated with love and passion. Other colors are also worn, such as blue for health and wellness, and green for adventures.

This tradition is believed to have originated in Mexico, but it is now practiced in many other Latin American countries as well.

Diwali:

What is Diwali celebrated as?

• Festival of Lights

• Festival of Colors

• Festival of Food

• Festival of Happiness

Answer explanation

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, with variations celebrated in other Indian religions. It symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".

Diwali:

What is the decorations for Diwali called as?

• Confetti

• Sprinkles

• Mangoli

• Rangoli

Answer explanation

Rangoli is an art form that originates from in the Indian subcontinent, in which patterns are created on the floor or a tabletop using materials such as powdered limestone, red ochre, dry rice flour, colored sand, quartz powder, flower petals, and colored rocks.

Hanukkah:

In the game Dreidel, which is the best action taken by players.

• NUN

• GIMEL

• HEY

• SHIN

Answer explanation

NUN - the player does nothing. The person to the left spins.

GIMEL - the player gets the whole pot.

HEY - the player gets half the pot.

SHIN - the player adds one more piece to the pot.

Hanukkah:

How many branches does a Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah), the lamp consist of?

• Seven

• Eight

• Nine

• Ten

Answer explanation

A Hanukkah menorah, or Hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold lights (candles or oil lamps) that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday; on each night, one more light is lit than the previous night, until on the final night all eight branches are ignited. The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash ("helper" or "servant"), which is used to light the other eight.

Eid:

Before the Eid prayer begins it is required for every Muslim to:

• Pay Zakat Ul Fitr.

• Visit the poor.

• Go to the graveyard.

• Give food to your neighbors.

Answer explanation

Zakat Ul Fitr is a form of almsgiving that Islam considers required of every able Muslim at the end of Ramadan. The purpose of Zakat al-Fitr is to enable poor people to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the festival to break the fast of Ramadan.

Eid:

Eid El-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of the Islamic holy month of fasting.

What is the name of this holy month?

• Shawwal

• Shabaan

• Rajab

• Ramadan

Answer explanation

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection, and community. A commemoration of Muhammad's first revelation, the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

American Christmas:

How many chocolates do kids get in an advent calendar?

• 21

• 24

• 25

• 31

Answer explanation

Advent Calendar is used to count the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. It counts down the 24 days before Christmas and hence 24 chocolates, one for each day.

American Christmas:

When is St. Nicholas Day officially?

• December 8

  (Today!!)

• December 7

• December 6

• December 5

Answer explanation

St. Nicholas Day is celebrated every year on Dec. 6, typically by filling the stockings and shoes children leave out overnight with sweets and toys. It also is a fitting date for the patron saint of sailors.