There are a total of 15 points to be gained in thus Yule-Time quiz. Answers will be posted soon.

QUESTION ONE

Santa Claus has different names in different countries. See if you can match the name to the country (a point each).

1. Kriss Kingle
2. Le Befana
3. Julinesse
4. Dedushka Moroz
5. Pere Noel
6. Siôn Corn

A. Denmark
B. Germany
C. France
D. Russia
E. Wales
F. Italy

QUESTION TWO

Santa's robe was changed to to red and white in the 1920's (contrary to popular opinion, not by Coca Cola). What was the original colour of Santa's robe?

1. Purple
2. Green
3. Black
4. White

QUESTION THREE

Nobody knows when Jesus was actually born. In which century was Christmas first celebrated on the 25th December?

1. 1st Century BC
2. 4th Century AD
3. 12th Century AD
4. 18th Century AD

QUESTION FOUR

In what 19th century decade was the first Christmas card designed?

1. 1840's
2. 1890's
3. 1900's
4. 1920's

QUESTION FIVE

What do the twelve days of Xmas represent?

1. A Victorian reminder that all decorations must be brought down at exactly twelve days after Xmas
2. The days between Christmas and Epiphany
3. Chaucer's song signifying the coming of Christmas
4. A Russian song celebrating Winter

QUESTION SIX

What were the names of the Three Wise Kings?

1. Casper, Melchid and Batistuta
2. Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar
3. Constantine, Gregory and Adrianople
4. Cambiasso, Coloccini and Demichelis

QUESTION SEVEN

Which English puritan banned Christmas for 13 years?

1. Thomas A Beckett
2. King George IV
3. Oliver Cromwell
4. James I

QUESTION EIGHT

Which trio died on Xmas Day?

1. William II, Pope Gregory and Simon de Monfort
2. Dean Martin, Nicolea Ceausescu and Charlie Chaplin
3. Andy Warhol, Keith Moon and Leopold Vii (King of Belgium)
4. Fats Domino, Louis XIII and Madame Tussard

QUESTION NINE

Which trio were born on Xmas Day?

1. Ernő Rubik, Frank Zappa and Prince Albert
2. Paul Cézanne, Rosemary Clooney and Hiliary Benn
3. John Wayne, Carl Guggenheim and Frank Lloyd-Wright
4. Annie Lennox, Kenny Everett and Humphrey Bogart

QUESTION TEN

What does Rhisiart get every bleedin' year for Xmas?

1. Krugerrands, gold bullion and blank cheques
2. Bling, botox and saucy calenders
3. Something I might really like
4. Socks, blank music tapes and underpants

Good luck!

10 = 1 for sure

For the sane amongst you who believe life is too short, here are the answers.

1. International Santas:


Kriss Kingle _ Germany
Le Befana _ Italy
Julinesse _ Denmark
Dedushka Moroz - Russia
Pere Noel - France
Siôn Corn - Wales

2. Santa's robe was originally green.

3. Christmas was first celebrated on the 25th December in the 4th century.

4. The first Christmas card was designed in the 1840s.

5. The twelve days of Xmas represent the days between Christmas and Epiphany.

6. The Three Wise Kings were Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar.

7. Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas for 13 years (swine).

8. Dean Martin, Nicolea Ceausescu and Charlie Chaplin died on Xmas Day.

9. Annie Lennox, Kenny Everett and Humphrey Bogart were born on Xmas Day.

10. PDS is right. The answer is one. I am posting this reply from my yacht in Monserrat.

La Befana (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Befana) is (http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Befana) NOT Santa Claus... she's the witch that brings coal/candy in January. So perhaps Babbo Natale would be a better option for the match the country, or ignore the Santa Claus part of it?

And for 3. - that's since 354 CE to be precise (http://www.nobeliefs.com/facts.htm#anchor189702)..

La Befana (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Befana) is (http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Befana) NOT Santa Claus... she's the witch that brings coal/candy in January. So perhaps Babbo Natale would be a better option for the match the country, or ignore the Santa Claus part of it?
Thanks for the correction (I thought it didn't sound right).


And for 3. - that's since 354 CE to be precise (http://www.nobeliefs.com/facts.htm#anchor189702)..
As a pagan ritual you're right.

You don't say Kriss Kingle in Germany. In Germany you say "Weihnachtsmann" which translates as "Christmasman" but in Austria you say "Christkind" or "Christkindl", which is "Kriss Kingle"in English. You mixed that up.

You don't say Kriss Kingle in Germany. In Germany you say "Weihnachtsmann" which translates as "Christmasman" but in Austria you say "Christkind" or "Christkindl", which is "Kriss Kingle"in English. You mixed that up.
I am going to shoot my research assistant.