Answers

Christmas Scavenger Hunt 1
1. A banana or mango tree is decorated, or they use mango leaves to decorate their home. 2. A shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire is suspended across the rim; from that hangs a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross. A small amount of water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day, a family member, usually the mother, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house. 3.Hay and carrots 4. 1510 5.'Mattak' is whale skin with a strip of blubber inside. It is supposed to taste like fresh coconut, but is often too tough to chew and is usually swallowed. 6. December 13th 7. Fried chicken and the traditional Japanese Christmas food is Christmas cake, but it's not a rich fruit cake, but is usually a sponge cake decorated with strawberries and whipped cream. 8. 'Bara Din Mubarrak Ho', which means, 'the blessing of Christmas on you' 9. January 7th 10. Fast 11.'Dadabe Noely' 12. Special masses (or communion services) held at dawn and dedicated to Mary for receiving the good news from the angel Gabriel. 13. Rowan (mountain ash) 14. Lobster 15. Evergreens, moss and paper lanterns

Christmas Scavenger Hunt 2
1. Shaped like a log 2. Paper chains, paper flowers, and paper lanterns 3. This stems from the custom that to show a light in the window lighted the way of a stranger out after dark. It goes back to most ancient times, when the laws of hospitality were stronger and not abused. To have a light in your window on Christmas Eve to welcome the stranger meant that you were welcoming the Holy Family too. To have no light meant that you shared the guilt of the Innkeeper at Bethlehem who said, "No Room"! 4. They believe St. Nicholas rides on horseback over the rooftops, dropping his gifts down the chimneys. 5. Christmas is celebrated on January 6th. The Christmas holiday season starts on New Year's Eve (December 31st) and continues until the old Julian calendar's New Year's Eve on January 13th. 6. Children anxiously await a visit from La Befana who brings gifts for the good and punishment for the bad. According to legend, the three wise men stopped during their journey and asked an old woman for food and shelter. She refused them and they continued on their way. Within a few hours the woman had a change of heart but the Magi were long gone. La Befana, which means Epiphany, still wonders the earth searching for the Christ Child. She is depicted in various ways: as a fairy queen, a crone, or a witch. 7. At Christmas Canadian eats sweets called Chicken Bones! They are really sweets made by local candy companies. Chicken Bones is a pink candy that tastes like cinnamon. You melt them in your mouth and once melted, they reveal a creamy milk chocolate center. 8.During Christmas in Costa Rica, people like to decorate their houses with beautiful tropical flowers. A model of the Nativity Scene, called the Pasito or Portal, is the center of the display. It's also decorated with flowers and sometimes fruit. Some of the scenes take a long time to make and all the family is involved. As well as the traditional figures, people add other models including houses and lots of different sorts of animals. Christmas wreaths are made of cypress branches and are decorated with red coffee berries and ribbons. Most homes, shops and important buildings are decorated with Christmas lights. 9. After the meal, the ringing of a bell signals the opening of a door and for the first time the children are permitted to witness the Christmas tree. 10. On Christmas Eve, children, especially boys, often go out Carol singing in the streets. They play drums and triangles as they sing. Sometimes the will also carry model boats decorated with nuts painted gold. Carrying a boat is a very old custom in the Greek Islands. 11. The tree is given as a present to say 'thank you' for the help that the people of the UK gave to Norway during World War II. 12. During the evening of the 5th December, children are very excited and watch for St. Nicholas (Svatý Mikuláš) to arrive. He normally is accompanied by one or more angels and one or more devils. 13. After the service, families gather to share huge homemade doughnuts called //ringli// and hot chocolate. 14. The legend tells of the three Wise men traveling through the country on their way to Bethlehem. To properly receive them, the children fill their shoes with straw on Epiphany Eve. For their efforts, they find their shoes filled with presents the following (Epiphany) morning. 15. December 6th and December 25th

Christmas Scavenger Hunt 3
1. To remind people that Jesus was born in a stable or cow shed. 2. Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. 3. A golden pig 4. Threaded on string to decorate the Christmas tree 5. Have a party and go from house to house visiting family and friends 6. Clootie Dumpling 7. A boy or girl, usually 7-10 years old 8. Greenland 9. Rooster 10. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day 11. A wooden star called a steaua which is covered with shiny paper and decorated with bells and colored ribbon. A picture of the Holy Family is pasted in the center. 12. A whole almond 13. Bring a present for children who are in the hospital or might not get a present because they are less fortunate. 14. 12 months of the year. 15. 4:00 AM

Christmas Scavenger Hunt 4
1. They eat Christmas dinner and then fill the streets to dance. 2. Travels by sleigh that is pulled by 8 reindeer. 3. No trees grow as far north as Greenland. 4. St. Stephen’s Day or Boxing Day 5. The cotton balls simulate snow. 6. Kangaroos or six white boomers. 7. Silent Night 8. Put on a Nativity Play. 9. Reveillon is the main Christmas meal. 10. The evening is spent with family decorating the tree. 11. Pinata 12. Bannock cakes 13. Father Frost accompanied by Snowflake Girl. 14. A harp 15. People walk through the streets playing guitars, beating tambourines, and drums.