Winter Traditions
During the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, families light this nine-branched candelabrum, with one additional light called the shamash.
What is a menorah?
In Home Alone, Kevin McCallister slaps this product on his face and screams.
What is aftershave?
This singer’s 1994 Christmas album Merry Christmas launched one of the most profitable holiday songs of all time.
Who is Mariah Carey?
This spiced, warm beverage is common at holiday markets and is often made with red wine.
What is mulled wine?
This saint (also known as Sinterklaas) is the historical figure most closely associated with the modern Santa Claus.
Who is St. Nicholas?
This small town in Pennsylvania claims to host the oldest continuously running Christmas parade in the United States, dating back to 1858.
What is Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?
This film from 1946 underperformed at release but later became a Christmas classic due to repeated television broadcasts.
What is It’s a Wonderful Life?
This band first recorded “Last Christmas” in 1984.
Who is Wham!?
These small, frosted cakes are a British Christmas staple traditionally mixed with dried fruit and suet.
What are mince pies?
Often depicted as a ghostly figure in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this spirit reveals to Scrooge the consequences of his life choices.
Who is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come?
In the Appalachian region, some families still observe this older tradition—celebrating Christmas on January 6, based on the Julian calendar.
What is Old Christmas?
In A Christmas Story, Ralphie desperately wants this specific model of BB gun.
What is the Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle?
This legendary composer wrote the ballet The Nutcracker, which includes the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.”
Who is Tchaikovsky?
This Jewish fried treat eaten during Hanukkah is made from grated potatoes and onions.
What are latkes?
This Scandinavian winter figure, sometimes portrayed riding a sleigh pulled by goats, predates Santa and is associated with Yule.
This pagan festival celebrated by some modern Druids at Stonehenge marks the shortest day of the year.
What is the Winter Solstice (or Yule)?
In Die Hard, the Nakatomi Plaza building is actually this Los Angeles skyscraper filmed under a different name.
What is Fox Plaza?
David Bowie and Bing Crosby teamed up for a duet of this holiday classic in 1977.
What is “The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth”?
This iconic Jewish Chinese-American December tradition—ordering takeout on Christmas—grew from immigrant communities who lived near these types of businesses in early 20th-century New York.
What are Chinese restaurants?
In Alpine folklore, this horned creature punishes naughty children during the Christmas season.
Who is Krampus?
This Pennsylvania Dutch figure—whose name means “Belsnickel” in English—visits children before Christmas, rewarding the good and punishing the rude.
Who is Pelznickel (or Belsnickel)?
In Love Actually, this U.S. state is where the Colin character travels to “meet American girls.”
What is Wisconsin?
Sia’s 2017 album Everyday Is Christmas features this lead single about mythical edible creatures.
What is “Candy Cane Lane”?
This Scandinavian-style cookie, made with thin, crisp dough and rolled on a decorative iron, is popular in U.S. holiday baking.
What are krumkake?
This witch-like Italian figure from Italian folklore delivers gifts on Epiphany Eve and is considered the Christmas counterpart to Santa.
Who is La Befana?