Christmas
This popular Christmas plant is named for Joel R. Poinsett, who brought it to the United States from Mexico in 1828.
What are poinsettias?
On each night of Hanukkah, an additional candle is lit on this candelabrum.
What is a Menorah?
One Kwanzaa tradition is the use of these three colors of candles, which are symbolic of the African people and their struggles. The seven candles also serve to remind participants of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
What are red, green and black?
Chiefly celebrated in Latin America, Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Spain, and the United States, the novenario Las Posadas is celebrated on the nine nights between these two December dates each year.
What are December 16th and 24th?
Originating on the television series Seinfeld, this December 23rd holiday is meant as an alternative to the commercialism and consumerism of Christmas. A common rhyming saying is "______ for the rest of us."
What is Festivus?
This tale, written by English author Charles Dickens, has been adapted many times for the silver screen. Actors who have portrayed its main character include Jim Carrey, George C. Scott, Tim Curry, and Guy Pearce.
What is A Christmas Carol?
Traditional foods eaten during Hanukkah include Kugel, Sufganiyot, and this food, which is commonly referred to as potato pancakes.
What are Latkes?
Kwanzaa was first celebrated in this same year that it was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, who is professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University and was a major figure of the Black Power movement in the 1960's and 70's.
What is 1966?
Originating as a set of plays that re-enacted scenes from the Bible before falling out of favor with the church and developing into its own unique production, this entertainment event may include a form of procession or parade or a Nativity play, among other things.
What is a Christmas pageant?
A day for shopping, this December 26th holiday is primarily celebrated by countries that were once part of the British empire.
What is Boxing Day?
Written by Clement Clarke Moore, the poem An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas is known more popularly today by this name, which is the first line of the poem.
What is 'Twas the Night Before Christmas?
Originally given as real money, this Hanukkah gift commonly takes the form of chocolates wrapped in foil.
What is gelt?
One of the seven Kwanzaa symbols, this agricultural product represents fertility and symbolizes the future hopes of a family through the reproduction of children. This object is set out on the mkeka for each child of the household, or if there are none in the household then for the children of the community.
What is corn?
Las Posadas involves a re-enactment of Joseph and Mary's search for a shelter to give birth to Jesus. In this re-enactment, celebrators split into two groups, one of which will go around knocking on doors and asking for shelter, the other acting as this type of business-owner.
What are innkeepers?
This December 13th holiday falls within the Advent season, is seen as a precursor to Christmastide, and is most widely celebrated in Scandinavia and Italy.
What is St. Lucia's Day?
Due to a successful marketing campaign that began in 1970, this fast food chain has become a popular destination for Christmas dinner in Japan.
What is Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)?
Hanukkah celebrates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the overthrow of this Greek king, who decreed that Jews must worship the Greek gods.
Who is King Antiochus IV?
The seven principles of Kwanzaa are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and this principle, which is described by Karenga as "To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle."
What is Imani (Faith)?
Piñatas are commonly used during Las Posadas to teach children about religion and represent overcoming evil through blind faith. On seven pointed star-shaped piñatas, the points represent this idea.
What are the seven deadly sins?
This five day festival of lights is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika and symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
This author is credited by many historians as having invented American Christmas customs with his book, The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, gent., which depicts a celebration of Christmas in an English manor house.
Who is Washington Irving?
A game of Dreidel is played with a spinning top upon which is inscribed the Hebrew letters Nun, Gimel, Hey, and Shin. When put together, the four letters stand for this saying, which in English means "A great miracle happened there."
What is "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham?"
This traditional feast is held on December 31st, the sixth day of Kwanzaa, and made include a wide variety of dishes such as catfish, collards, gumbo, macaroni and cheese, accras, feijoada, and more.
What is a Karamu?
Traditional Las Posadas foods include, but are not limited to, tamales, buñuelos, atole, and this sweet snack consisting of strips of fried dough dusted with sugar or cinnamon.
What are churros?
Many families do activities such as house cleaning, debt repayment, and purification to start the new year fresh and relaxed on this December 31st holiday celebrated in Japan.
What is Ōmisoka?