Food
Movies
Music
Traditions
Santa
100
Eggnog
Eggnog, a creamy and spiced beverage, has been enjoyed for centuries and is often associated with Christmas. The term "nog" is believed to have originated from the word "noggin," a small wooden mug used to serve drinks, giving rise to the name "eggnog."
100
The Polar Express
Fun Fact: Tom Hanks provided the voice for several characters in the film, including the conductor and the narrator.
100
3 French Hens
12 Drummers Drumming
11 Pipers Piping
10 Lords a Leaping
9 Ladies Dancing
8 Maids a Milking
7 Swans a Swimming
6 Geese a Laying
5 Golden Rings
4 Calling Birds
3 French Hens
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
100
Poinsettias
Fun Fact: Poinsettias were discovered and named after the first United States Minister to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, in the early 19th century.
100
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century Christian saint known for his acts of generosity and gift-giving. Over time, Saint Nicholas became a popular figure associated with Christmas and the giving of gifts. The character of Santa Claus as we know him today has evolved from a combination of different cultural influences and traditions.
200
Candy Canes
The candy cane, as we know it today, is believed to have originated in Europe in the 17th century. It is said that the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany wanted to find a way to keep children quiet during the long nativity service. He decided to ask a local candy maker to create sweet sticks for the children to enjoy.
200
Will Ferrell
Fun Fact: Will Ferrell was not the original choice for Buddy the Elf. Back when the script was first being shopped around in the 90s, producers wanted Jim Carrey to play the goofy lead.
200
C
Performed by Ariana Grande, "Santa Tell Me" would not debut until 2014, twenty years after Mariah Carrey's famous holiday album.
200
C
The traditional day to put up a Christmas tree in the United States is often the day after Thanksgiving, which is referred to as "Black Friday." Many families use this day as an opportunity to kick off the holiday season by decorating their homes and putting up their Christmas trees.
200
D
Tom Hanks (Polar Express), Kurt Russell (The Christmas Chronicles), and Tim Allen (The Santa Clause) have all played the role of Saint Nick on the silver screen.
300
Gingerbread
Gingerbread houses originated in Germany during the 16th century and were inspired by the fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel." The tradition of making gingerbread houses spread to other countries and has become a beloved holiday activity where people can showcase their creativity by decorating edible structures.
300
A Christmas Story
Fun Fact: The Red Ryder BB gun used in the movie was a custom-made non-firing replica created specifically for the film. The production team worked with Daisy Outdoor Products to craft a visually accurate replica that resembled the iconic Red Ryder gun from the original comic strip and incorporated the film's unique features.
300
Bing Crosby
"White Christmas" by Bing Crosby holds the Guinness World Record for being the best-selling single of all time. Since its release in 1942, it has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide.
300
Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is typically a Norway spruce and has become an iconic symbol of the holiday season in New York City. The tree is sourced from different areas, often selected from private properties, and is carefully chosen based on specific criteria such as height, fullness, and symmetry.
300
Krampus
According to the legend, Krampus would visit homes on the night of December 5th, known as Krampusnacht, to scare and admonish children who had been naughty. He carries chains and sometimes a bundle of birch branches to swat or whip misbehaving children. In some traditions, he even collects the naughty children in a basket or sack to take them away.
400
B
In Japan, it has become a popular custom to have Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas dinner. This unique tradition started in the 1970s after a successful KFC marketing campaign that positioned their fried chicken as a special holiday meal. Today, people in Japan often pre-order their KFC Christmas meals well in advance.
400
Harry and Marv
The characters of Harry Lime and Marv Merchants were inspired by two notorious real-life criminals. The film's writer, John Hughes, based the characters on the "Wet Bandits," a duo known for leaving water running in the houses they robbed to flood them.
400
Last Christmas by Wham!
Fun Fact: Despite its popularity, the song never reached number one on the UK charts upon its initial release, peaking at number two. However, it has remained a perennial favorite and has re-entered the UK charts multiple times during subsequent holiday seasons, showcasing its enduring appeal.
400
Fish
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American tradition celebrated on Christmas Eve where the number seven is believed to symbolize the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The specific types of fish dishes can vary, but popular choices include baccalà (salted cod), calamari (squid), shrimp, clams, and more.
400
Coca Cola
Coca Cola played a significant role in popularizing the modern image of Santa Claus wearing a red suit. In 1931, Coca-Cola commissioned artist Haddon Sundblom to create a series of advertisements featuring Santa Claus. Sundblom's illustrations depicted a jolly, plump Santa Claus dressed in a red suit with white fur trim, which aligned with Coca-Cola's brand colors. These iconic advertisements became immensely popular and helped solidify the image of Santa Claus in a red suit as we know it today.
500
Ham
Roasted Ham is a traditional and popular choice for many families during the holiday season and is enjoyed with various sides and accompaniments. According to the National Pork Board, approximately 100 million pounds of ham is purchased in the weeks leading up to Christmas each year.
500
Max
Fun Fact: Max was played by a mixed-breed dog named Kelley. She was rescued from a shelter and trained specifically for the role in the movie. The trainers found Kelley to be an exceptionally talented and intelligent dog, and she brought the character of Max to life with her adorable expressions and actions.
500
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Die Hard has become a popular movie to watch during the holiday season due to its setting and release around Christmas time and the fact that soundtrack includes classics like Ode to Joy, Let it Snow, and Walking in a Winter Wonderland.
500
Germany
Believed to have been influenced by German immigrants who brought various customs to America, the tradition involves hiding a real pickle (or a pickle ornament) inside of the Christmas tree and having the first person to find it receive an extra gift.
500
9: Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and Blitzen
From the Poem Twas the Night Before Christmas:
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"