Traditions & Symbols
What plant, often used as a decoration at Christmas, is associated with kissing in some Western traditions?
Mistletoe
December 25 is widely observed as a major winter holiday in many countries. Name one secular activity or event commonly associated with the holiday season
Examples: parades, holiday markets, seasonal shopping, gift exchanges, public light displays, winter festivals
Name the famous 1843 novella by Charles Dickens that centers on Ebenezer Scrooge and the meaning of Christmas
A Christmas Carol
Snowflakes form around tiny particles in clouds and often display six-fold symmetry. What frozen substance are snowflakes made of?
Water ice
Which holiday follows Christmas on December 26 in the UK and several other countries and often involves shopping sales and sporting events?
Boxing Day
In many countries people display a decorated tree at Christmas. Which tree species is most commonly used as a traditional Christmas tree?
Fir
The figure of Santa Claus is based in part on a 4th-century historical bishop known for his generosity. What is his name?
Saint Nicholas (Nicholas of Myra)
The Christmas carol that begins "On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me..." lists gifts for 12 days. What is the name of this song?
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere are shortest near which astronomical event that occurs in late December?
The winter solstice
Many countries celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day after Christmas. How many days are there between December 25 and January 1, inclusive?
8 days
The star often placed atop a Christmas tree represents a specific event from the nativity story. Which event is it?
The Star of Bethlehem
Which ancient Roman festival, celebrated in late December and associated with gift-giving and feasting, influenced some later winter celebrations?
Saturnalia
"Silent Night" was originally written in which language before being translated into many others?
German
Salt is sometimes used on roads to melt ice because it lowers what property of water, allowing ice to melt at lower temperatures?
Freezing point
Mistletoe is a plant used in holiday customs. Mistletoe belongs to what type of plant group (parasite, epiphyte, or non-parasitic plant)?
Parasitic
In several cultures, small gifts are placed inside stockings. According to tradition, where are stockings traditionally hung?
On a fireplace mantel or hung by the fireplace
The custom of sending printed Christmas cards became popular in the 19th century. In which country did the commercial Christmas card first appear?
England
The poem that inspired many modern Christmas traditions and helped popularize Santa Claus.
"’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house..."
Frost forms when water vapor turns directly into ice on surfaces. What is the term for water vapor turning directly into a solid without becoming liquid first?
Deposition
Boxing Day historically involved giving money, food, or other goods to people in service positions. Name one modern country (other than the UK) where Boxing Day is an official holiday.
Examples: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
The tradition of putting lights on or around a house at Christmas originally began with a symbolic meaning tied to what?
Lights originally symbolized light in darkness early use of candles/lamps to symbolize hope and guidance
The modern image of Santa Claus (bearded, red suit, jolly) was popularized in the 19th and early 20th centuries by a combination of literature and advertising. Name one influential source (either an author/poet or an advertiser/illustrator) that helped shape this image.
Clement Clarke Moore (poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas"), Thomas Nast (illustrator), Haddon Sundblom (advertising illustrations for Coca-Cola)
Name the form of transport Santa uses in the poem or the number of reindeer named in that poem.
Transport: a sleigh; Number of reindeer named: eight (Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen)
The colors of many traditional holiday lights are caused by materials that emit light when heated or when electricity passes through them. What general physical process produces light when electric current causes atoms or molecules to release photons (two-word term)?
Electroluminescence
Who won the Superbowl in 2007?
Indianapolis Colts.