Traditions: Past, Present, and Presents
Many Indigenous communities in North America mark the winter season with celebrations connected to this astronomical event, the longest night of the year.
What is the Winter Solstice?
I appear at night and vanish by dawn,
I help guide a man dressed in red across lawns.
I shine very bright but I’m not a star.
What am I?
What is Rudolf's Red Nose?
This individual De-thaws once a year in December to collect massive amounts of royalties.
Who is Mariah Carey?
The central miracle commemorated by Hanukkah is that this substance lasted eight days in the rededicated temple.
What is olive oil?
The modern image of Santa Claus—red suit, jolly figure—was solidified in the 1930s by ads from this American company.
What is Coca-Cola?
In some North American towns, people participate in this chilly New Year’s Day tradition by plunging into freezing water.
What is Polar Bear Dip/Plunge.
I wander from shelf to shelf and never speak,
But children fear my watchful streak.
What am I?
What is Elf on a Shelf?
In A Christmas Story, Ralphie receives this unusual piece of household décor from his father, which becomes an iconic symbol of the film.
What is a Leg Lamp?
This traditional fried food, often eaten during Hanukkah, is made from potatoes or dough and fried in oil to commemorate the miracle.
What are latkes (or sufganiyot if doughnuts)?
This country is credited with popularizing the Christmas tree tradition in the 19th century.
Where is Germany?
It is Tradition to Eat This for Christmas Dinner in Japan.
What is KFC?
You can hear me but not see me,
You can shake me but not break me.
The more you hear me, the closer Christmas draws near.
What am I?
What is Jingle Bells?
In Elf, Buddy’s four main food groups are candy, candy canes, candy corn, and this.
What is Syrup?
Hanukkah traditions are partly derived from the Talmud, which instructs lighting the menorah for this many nights.
What is eight nights?
This candy, now a Christmas staple, was originally made in Germany in the 17th century.
What is a candy cane?
The Hanukkah menorah has this many branches.
What is 9?
You break me, shake me, or steal me away,
I’m how some celebrate the holiday.
I pop with a bang and I’m filled with delight—
A tradition from Britain on Christmas night.
What am I?
What is a Christmas cracker?
This 1964 animated TV special was the first to feature the now-classic “Island of Misfit Toys.”
What is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
Hanukkah is also known by this two-word nickname referencing the number of days it is celebrated.
What is the Festival of Lights?
The Yule log tradition comes from this region and was originally burned to honor the winter solstice.
Where is Scandinavia or Northern Europe?
In Denmark and Norway, families hide this specific type of nut in their rice pudding, and whoever finds it receives a special prize.
What i an Almond?
I grow in the air without touching the ground,
Held high like a secret that’s waiting to be found.
I’m a thief of a tree, yet a symbol of cheer,
A parasite in nature, but romance when I’m near.
What am I?
What is mistletoe?
This action movie is often joked about being a Christmas due to it taking place on Christmas Eve.
What is Die Hard?
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of this temple in Jerusalem after it was reclaimed from the Greeks.
What is the Second Temple?
In 1823, this poem, beginning “’Twas the night before Christmas,” helped popularize many modern Christmas traditions.
What is “A Visit from St. Nicholas”?