Guild Christmas Chestnuts

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. In the rather obscure carol 'Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar', to where are we told the wise men followed the pointing star? Nazareth Jerusalem Jordan Bethlehem

2. The giant Christmas tree that stands on Boston Common each year is a gift to the Massachusetts city from which other North American community? Halifax, Nova Scotia Toronto, Ontario Chicago, Illinois Dallas, Texas

3. The Christmas memory flood tends to include both happy and sad memories. Increased suicides are expected for the holiday season. According to an National Public Radio reported study on suicides during the holidays, how does the rate in the United States actually compare to the rest of the year? The suicide rate is up 50% during the holidays. There are less suicides during the holiday season. The suicide rate doubles during the holidays. There is actually no change in the suicide rate during the holidays.

4. If you were given some frumenty at a Medieval Christmas party, what would you do with it? Burn it Eat it Apply it behind your ears Decorate your home with it

5. You've decided to reduce the ecological footprint of your Christmas celebration. According to the Boston Globe, which of the following accounts for 50% of the increased carbon emissions in the Christmas season? Battery use Food and travel Christmas trees Holiday sporting events

6. In the Philippines, there is a Christmas tradition known as Simbang Gabi. What does it consist of? Exchanging of gifts between cities and towns Fasting for 48 hours prior to midnight on Christmas Day Pageants depicting the Christ Child's birth, featuring flamboyant costumes and masks Nine days of masses held at dawn

7. Part of the Christmas tradition for many people is shortbread. Why is it called "short"? It does not contain long gluten strands It was originally only meant for children ("short" people) Because there is no leavening used, it does not rise, and is therefore "short" Because of the proportion of fat to flour, you can make it when you are "short" of flour

8. Imagine that Santa must make deliveries of presents on Christmas night to Santa believers around the world. Since Santa must go city to city and across oceans one can assume that there is an average 3/4 mile distance between homes. According to NPR's 2007 analysis of this scenario, which of the following would be expected? Deliveries would need to be made to an estimated 108 million people. The speed Santa would need to reach to complete this task would vaporize his reindeer. All of these If each child received only 2 pounds of presents, the sleigh would weight over 300,000 tons.

9. Hogswatch is author Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' equivalent of Christmas. On Hogswatchnight, what is traditionally left out by children for the Hogfather's sleigh pullers? Carrot Turnip Mince Pie Coookie

10. In Agatha Christie's 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas', what epigram from 'Macbeth' is quoted on the murder of Simeon Lee? What bloody man is that? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him? There's daggers in men's smiles. Thou canst not say I did it; never shake Thy gory locks at me.