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Symbol of love

It just isn’t Christmas without the timeless tradition of Christmas trees. But what about the decorations? Take this quiz and test your Christmas quotient. A whole lot of festivity is in the air, isn’t it?

From the beginning of time, trees and plants that remained green all year had a special meaning for the people. They hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. They believed that these evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits and illness.

The tradition of setting up a tree during the Christmas season is said to have started in Germany in the 16th century. According to legend, one cold winter evening, while Martin Luther (German professor of theology, composer, priest, monk and reformer) was walking home, he happened to look up at the night sky and was moved by the twinkling of the stars through the evergreens. He wanted to recapture the scene, and so he brought home an evergreen tree, and decorated it with candles.

Today, it is an integral part of the season and decorating the tree is something a family does together. Every decoration that hangs on the tree has significance.

Holiday cheer

It’s the night before Christmas. There’s a rustle of mistletoe and a tinkle of bells in the air. But wait, something’s missing! Where has all the colour gone? Why don’t you add some?

Christmas trivia

Trivia games challenge us to remember details about all those Christmas songs, movies, books and traditions we have known.

What popular holiday activity tests people’s knowledge of Christmas history and customs? Christmas trivia, of course.

Trivia games are best as ice breakers, or to get a party going. Try your hand at this.

On the ice rink

Ice hockey is one of the many sports that are popular in winter. Here’s a quick game for you to try out, but you need to make sure you have an eye for detail. Are you up for the challenge?

One half of the world is currently enjoying winter, and ice hockey is a favourite. It is like regular hockey except — as you’ve probably guessed by now — it is played on ice while wearing skates. It’s an intense sport, and players have to wear special padding and helmets to avoid getting injured.

Unlike regular hockey, ice hockey is played with a flat disk called a puck. Here’s a quick game for you. Can you spot where the correct puck is in the following images?

Click on the puck you think is in the correct position.

1. Which puck does the goalkeeper have to stop?


2. How about in this picture?

3. Can you figure out which one is in the correct position here?

Santa’s many clauses

A busy man with so much on his mind…he is sure to have good days and bad days, sick days and well days, bad hair days and good hot chocolate days…Let’s see how he looks through it all.

To market, to market…

Around Christmas time, cities across Europe come alive with bustling markets that have become a tradition over the years — centuries, even! Let’s take a look at some of them.

Christmas markets, also known as Christkindlmarkt, are associated with Christmas and making merry. They were first seen in Germany, Austria, eastern French regions of Alsace, Lorraine and Savoy and South Tyrol in Northern Italy.

In Austria, the Vienna market, which dates back to 1294, was a precursor to the Christmas market. Dresden, capital of the eastern German state of Saxony, first held its Strietzelmarkt in 1434.

In Germany, the markets of Augsburg, Frankfurt, Erfurt, Dresden, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart are well known. While the Nuremberg and Dresden markets draw over two million people annually, those in Stuttgart and Frankfurt have more than three million visitors. The Christmas market in Dortmund, Germany, has more than 300 stalls around a gigantic Christmas tree.

Today, these markets have become a rage across the world. Aachen, in Europe, for instance, becomes a haze of colour every year, before Christmas. The streets near the Cathedral and the Aachen Town Hall are abuzz with light, colours, and delicious food. The Christmas market in Aachen is a mix of tradition and style, and is fascinating.

The London Bridge City Christmas market is known for its homemade gifts and delicious food, sold from German-style chalets. Handmade crafts from over 100 independent traders, pop-up food stalls, film screenings, live music and a fantastic view of the Tower Bridge and Tower of London, this Christmas market is a treat.

Amsterdam’s markets are not to be forgotten. From traditional Dickensian markets that aim to capture all the magic of a traditional Victorian Christmas to trendy food festivals inside old industrial buildings, Amsterdam is a haven for Christmas lovers.

Photos: Flickr/Neuwieser; Bob Hall; Paul Woolrich; Dmitry Dzhus; AugustusTours; Anita; Nathan Reading

Joy to the world

Christmas is a time for happiness and cheer, and many countries have their unique way of celebrating it. Let’s take a look at a few of them…

Christmas is celebrated on December 25, traditionally to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. Over the years, the festival has become a cultural celebration across the globe.

The usual traditions include decorating Christmas trees, singing carols, baking cakes, and children being on their best behaviour just to get into Santa’s ‘Nice’ list. Many newer and unique traditions have evolved over time and have come to define the festival in different countries and cultures.

For example, roller skating to mass in the city of Caracas, Venezuela, has become Christmas tradition. Along the way, the skaters tug on pieces of string dangling out of the windows — the other end of which is tied around children’s toes, to let them know it’s time to strap on their skates.

Here’s a look at a few more unique traditions from across the world.

(Click on the titles to read more about the traditions)

 

 

 

 

Play the merry chef!

Cookies and cakes and all things nice… Let’s go the extra mile this year and try out something different. Whip up these delectable Christmas treats and amaze your friends and family.

‘Tis the season to be merry! And what better way than with some yummy treats? Cakes and cookies are always nice, but how about something new? Here are three recipes to change things around a little bit this festive season.

Struffoli (Honey Balls)

Struffoli are fried dough balls covered in honey and sprinkles, served in a mound. This golden sweet treat is an Italian Christmas essential.


*REMEMBER: Fry under adult supervision

Gingerbread cookies (for decoration)


Peanut Chocolate Cups


Can you find the magic?

Sit back, bring out the popcorn and hot chocolate and get ready to watch and read some of the most thrilling Christmas stories you can imagine.

Get into the festive spirit with these holiday films and books. Look through the gallery to get an idea about the next movie you’d like to watch or the book you’d like to read this season. Or perhaps, why not try gift one to a friend or family member?

Here’s a movie list to begin with, you can watch it by yourself, or make it a Christmas movie night for the whole family to join in together:


What are you reading this month? Are there any Christmas themed books? Try these to get into mood. Scroll through the slider below to read more about each book.

Match ’em up!

Christmas is a time for fun. Try your hand at this Christmassy memory game and see how long it will take you to get it right.

With Christmas round the corner, we have this memory game lined up for you. Flip the cards to match them.