Annual Holiday Quiz – Around the World!
The holiday season is celebrated in so many unique ways across the globe. From unusual foods to peculiar customs, each country has its own special way of celebrating. Think you know your global holiday traditions? Test your knowledge and have fun with our annual holiday quiz!
- 1.) In Japan, what unusual meal is a popular Christmas tradition?
A) Sushi
B) Fried Chicken
C) Tempura
D) Ramen
- Answer: B) Fried Chicken
In Japan, eating KFC on Christmas has become a beloved holiday tradition. This started in the 1970s after a successful marketing campaign by KFC, and now people even reserve their meals weeks in advance! - 2.) In Norway, what household item do people hide on Christmas Eve to keep it safe from mischievous spirits?
A) Shoes
B) Brooms
C) Mirrors
D) Keys
- Answer: B) Brooms
In Norway, people hide their brooms on Christmas Eve to prevent witches and other spirits from stealing them for a night of mischief. - 3.) In which country do people celebrate Christmas with a giant lantern festival called Ligligan Parul?
A) Philippines
B) Thailand
C) India
D) Malaysia
- Answer: A) Philippines
In the Philippines, Ligligan Parul, or the Giant Lantern Festival, takes place every December and features enormous, colorful lanterns in a dazzling display of light and creativity. - 4.) In Ukraine, it’s customary to decorate Christmas trees with what unusual item?
A) Straw
B) Spiderwebs
C) Feathers
D) Seashells
- Answer: B) Spiderwebs
Ukrainians decorate Christmas trees with artificial spiderwebs for good luck, based on a legend where spiders wove webs around a poor family’s tree, turning them into silver and gold. - 5.) In Venezuela, many people travel to Christmas Mass in which unusual way?
A) On bicycles
B) By horse-drawn carriages
C) Roller-skating
D) On scooters
- Answer: C) Roller-skating
Across Venezuela, particularly the capital city of Caracas, it’s a Christmas tradition to attend early morning Mass by roller-skating through the streets, which are even closed to traffic for the event! - 6.) In Finland, what do families traditionally do to honor the memory of their loved ones on Christmas Eve?
A) Set a place at the table
B) Visit cemeteries and light candles
C) Sing carols at home
D) Write letters to ancestors
- Answer: B) Visit cemeteries and light candles
On Christmas Eve, Finnish families visit cemeteries to light candles on the graves of their loved ones, creating a serene and glowing display of remembrance. - 7.) In which country do children place their shoes by the fireplace instead of hanging stockings for Christmas?
A) France
B) Portugal
C) Brazil
D) Austria
- Answer: A) France
In France, children leave their shoes by the fireplace, and Père Noël (Father Christmas) fills them with gifts and treats on Christmas Eve. - 8.) In Iceland, which mythical creatures visit children during the 13 days leading up to Christmas?
A) Santa’s Reindeer
B) Christmas Cats
C) Yule Lads
D) Snow Fairies
- Answer: C) Yule Lads
Icelandic children are visited by the Yule Lads, 13 mischievous creatures who bring small gifts (or potatoes for the naughty ones!) on each of the 13 nights before Christmas. - 9.) In Spain, what is traditionally eaten at midnight on New Year’s Eve for good luck?
A) 12 grapes
B) A slice of cake
C) Lentils
D) A piece of garlic
- Answer: A) 12 grapes
In Spain, people eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve — one for each chime of the clock — to bring good luck for each month of the coming year.
1.) In Japan, what unusual meal is a popular Christmas tradition?
However you celebrate the holiday season, may it be filled with joy and laughter!
The Art of Selfless Giving
Capture the spirit of the holidays
We are a generation past the hardships of the dust bowl and the Great Depression. And we are a generation well into an economy based upon consumption. And in this environment, Santa presents an interesting paradox.
From kids’ perspectives, it is about magic and the joy of receiving the unexpected. From Santa’s perspective, it is all about selfless giving. In light of the vast increases in the cost for just about everything, this could be the year you decide to view the holidays from the perspective of Santa.
From kids’ perspectives, it is about magic and the joy of receiving the unexpected. From Santa’s perspective, it is all about selfless giving. In light of the vast increases in the cost for just about everything, this could be the year you decide to view the holidays from the perspective of Santa.Here are some ideas to help capture the spirit of giving:
- Give the gift of time. Spend an afternoon with someone you never seem to have the time to see. It could be a neighbor, a parent, an adult child, a grandparent, or a friend. Challenge your kids to give you a non-monetary gift, like a coupon book of chores.
- Make something. Make something instead of buying it. Perhaps it’s a meal, a drawing, or a useful object around the house. There are numerous ideas online and you DO NOT have to be a creative genius, just a willingness to be creative.
- Give the gift of fulfilling an unwanted chore. Offer babysitting for a night out to a young couple. Do the dishes, shovel the walk, or offer to mow the lawn. There are so many unwanted chores, that a creative gift here will be much appreciated.
- Commit to a gift that goes unnoticed. During the holiday season, quietly go about making things better for someone else without them knowing about it. Shoveling a neighbor’s sidewalk, rolling down a trash bin to the curb, gathering a morning paper and placing it by the front door, or picking up the garbage every day in front of a store are all examples that are easy to do.
- Pay it forward. Find opportunities to help someone else with a little surprise gift. Have your kids BRING a gift to help Santa while they visit him. Pay for your meal at a drive through restaurant, and then pay the meal of the car behind you. Do the same thing at a restaurant when you see someone out for a special occasion.
- Provide a smile to someone who needs it. Try to make a person smile every day during the holiday season. Then challenge yourself to do this with a person you do not know, or barely know.
Giving during the holiday season doesn’t need to break the bank. It’s up to all of us to reconnect the season to something that could be a lot more meaningful. Enjoy your holiday season!
As always, should you have any questions or concerns regarding your tax situation please feel free to call.
The 2025 Tax Law Uncertainty
With the changes happening in Washington D.C., there is now some uncertainty about what tax policies we may see in 2025 and beyond. During this time of uncertainty, it is challenging to create a workable tax plan. But not to fear. There are several things that we DO know about tax changes to start 2025. Here are the key highlights as they are currently known.
With the changes happening in Washington D.C., there is now some uncertainty about what tax policies we may see in 2025 and beyond. During this time of uncertainty, it is challenging to create a workable tax plan. But not to fear. There are several things that we DO know about tax changes to start 2025. Here are the key highlights as they are currently known.What we DO know
- Tax brackets and rates. The seven tax rates remain unchanged while the income subject to each rate got a slight bump. After a 5.4 percent increase in 2024, there’s an additional 2.8 percent increase in income subject to each tax rate in 2025. This means more of your income will be subject to a lower tax rate.
- Higher retirement plan limits. The amount you can contribute to a 401(k) in 2025 is $23,500, up from $23,000 in 2024. The 401(k) catch-up contribution limit in 2025 stays at $7,500 if you’re age 50 to 59, and age 64+. New in 2025, if you are ages 60 to 63, the catch-up contribution limit increases to $11,250. The annual contribution threshold for IRAs remains at $7,000, as does the IRA catch-up contribution limit of $1,000.
- New cryptocurrency reporting rules. New reporting rules in effect as of January 1, 2025 means you’ll need to be more vigilant with tracking your cryptocurrency transactions and complying with the IRS’s digital asset rules. Brokers of digital assets, including cryptocurrency exchanges, custodial services, and certain payment processors, must report sales and exchanges of digital assets to the IRS starting in 2025. Your digital asset transactions will be summarized annually on a new Form 1099-DA. This new reporting of digital asset transactions will be similar to existing reporting for traditional securities such as stocks and bonds.
Changes on the horizon
- The 1099-K reporting threshold. If you use third party payment processors like Venmo or sell tickets on apps like SeatGeek, you’re more likely to receive a tax form of your activity that will also be sent to the IRS. The limit requiring your activity to be reported was $5,000 in 2024. In 2025, this threshold is scheduled to be lowered to $2,500, and further lowered in 2026 to $600.
- Uncertainty over TCJA provisions. There has been discussion about extending and/or making permanent many of the provisions contained in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. Most of the provisions are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025, so we will pay attention to any legislation forthcoming that could change any of this tax landscape.
- Proposed decrease in corporate tax rates. There is also discussion about lowering the corporate tax rate from its current level of 21%, in addition to lowering the effective corporate tax rate from 21% to 15% for domestic manufacturers.
Stay tuned for continuing updates of any tax changes as events unfold in 2025.
Avoid Sneaky Fees Draining Your Bank Account
Inflation isn’t the only reason why your wallet or purse feels lighter these days. Sneaky fees are finding their way into things we buy every day. Here are some common fees you may encounter and what you can do to avoid them altogether.
Inflation isn’t the only reason why your wallet or purse feels lighter these days. Sneaky fees are finding their way into things we buy every day. Here are some common fees you may encounter and what you can do to avoid them altogether.Common areas with sneaky fees
- Checking account fees. Banks love to nickel and dime you with fees if you don’t maintain a minimum balance or have sufficient direct deposits. It creates a gotcha moment at the end of the month.
- Dealership fees. Buying a vehicle? Dealers are known for tacking on hidden charges like vehicle prep fees. These can easily inflate the sticker price if you’re not paying attention.
- Ticket broker fees. Concert or sports event tickets seem expensive enough, but when ticket brokers add an additional service fee, it’s almost enough to make you stay home. These fees can be up to several hundred dollars!
- Vacation rental fees. Dreaming of a vacation getaway? Convenience fees, cleaning fees, and other add-ons can push the cost of your vacation rental sky-high, turning your relaxing trip into a financial drain.
Smart moves to outsmart sneaky fees
Here’s how you can fight back.
- Understand the fees before you start. For example, when you are considering a rental, get a breakdown of all the fees before you book. The same holds true for buying a car or a plane ticket. The vendors technique of hiding fees to make a service look cheaper does not need to work when you buy.
- Negotiate like a pro. Ask questions or challenge fees you don’t understand. Whether it’s a merchant, a car dealer, or a bank, there’s often room to negotiate. You might be surprised how often they’ll waive the fees just because you ask.
- Switch providers. Many companies charge for services that others offer for free. Tired of your bank’s account fees? Look for one with a truly free checking account—because yes, they do exist.
- Cut out the middleman. Avoid unnecessary fees by dealing directly with providers. For example, if you’re booking a vacation rental, skip platforms like Airbnb that charge a convenience fee and book directly through the owner when possible.
- Say no. Sometimes the best way to save is simply not to buy. If a purchase or service comes with fees that seem outrageous, you can always walk away. By saying no, you send a message to companies that you won’t tolerate being taken advantage of—and you’ll save money in the process.
By knowing how to spot and challenge these fees, you can stop the drain on your wallet and take back control of your finances. After all, it’s not just about cutting costs—it’s about standing up for yourself and your money.
As always, should you have any questions or concerns regarding your tax situation please feel free to call.
The Good – and Not So Good – of AI
At its heart, technology exists to solve problems and enrich our lives, but its journey is rarely straightforward. The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into everyday tools—like search engines, smart speakers, and virtual assistants—perfectly illustrates the challenges that come with disruptive innovation. Here’s a quick look at how AI is improving our lives, but where we also need to take a step back to be more cautious.
At its heart, technology exists to solve problems and enrich our lives, but its journey is rarely straightforward. The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into everyday tools—like search engines, smart speakers, and virtual assistants—perfectly illustrates the challenges that come with disruptive innovation. Here’s a quick look at how AI is improving our lives, but where we also need to take a step back to be more cautious.The upside of AI: Empowering efficiency
- Has instant access. Unlike humans who are prone to distractions, emotions, or getting tired, AI can operate without any such issues. Since it’s powered by algorithms, human-related points of failure such as stress-induced errors are virtually eliminated.
- Accelerates data processing. AI can quickly sift through vast amounts of data, pinpointing inconsistencies, outliers, and trends in seconds. Tasks that would take a human hours, if not days, are reduced to mere moments, allowing us to focus on higher-level analysis and decision-making.
- Always available for automated tasks. AI automates repetitive tasks, cutting down on administrative busy work and freeing up our time for more complicated tasks. It’s also always available – wherever you have an internet connection.
The downside of AI: Tread carefully
- Plagiarism is likely to occur. AI doesn’t care if the information it creates is owned by someone else. This plagiarism can happen when creating music, text, voiceovers, and other forms of creative expression.
- AI blends truth AND fiction. While AI excels at many things, fact-checking and proper citations aren’t among them. Like Wikipedia, AI can be a useful starting point but shouldn’t be trusted as a sole authority. AI’s outputs may include inaccuracies, making it unreliable for in-depth research or professional use.
- Lacks true creativity. AI may do a great job to organize and repackage information, but it still falls short when it comes to true innovation. Creativity, by nature, is abstract and requires out-of-the-box thinking that AI has yet to master. Its outputs are rooted in existing data, meaning that groundbreaking ideas remain out of reach.
- Reduces critical thinking skills. While technology often makes life easier, it can also make us mentally lazier. Think about how difficult navigating a new city would be without GPS! Similarly, if we become overly reliant on AI for decision-making, our critical thinking skills may weaken over time, leading to a decline in actual human intelligence.
- Can lead to serious legal and tax issues. Relying on AI for legal, tax, or other professional advice can leave you in hot water. While AI may be appropriate for initial research on a particular issue, remember that AI itself isn’t a registered attorney or tax preparer. You should still rely on the knowledge and experience of professionals when advice is needed.
The verdict: Use AI as a tool, not a crutch
AI has the potential to be a powerful tool to complement our own human ideas and capabilities. It’s far from ready, though, to be the sole source of truth. Like any emerging technology, it should be approached with both curiosity and caution.