Holiday Traditions & History
Las Posadas is a religious festival that is celebrated in Mexico & the U.S. It commemorates the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Mary would give birth to Jesus. How many days does Los Posadas last?
9 days
During the month of ___, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset (no food or drink). If Muslims participate in fasting, they usually wake up before sunrise to eat a meal called Suhoor or Sehri. The purpose of fasting is to purify the soul, demonstrate solidarity with the poor/needy, and gain a deeper understanding of Islam.
Ramadan
This plant is a symbol of love, fertility, and vitality. It likely originated from Norse mythology and is famous for people kissing under it. Justin Bieber also has a famous Christmas hit song about this plant. What is it called?
Mistletoe
Joe Pesci stars as “Harry” and Daniel Stern stars as “Marv” in which 1990 classic Christmas movie?
Home Alone
Where is the home of the real St. Nicholas? Hint: it starts with a T and you ate it for Thanksgiving!
Turkey
What spontaneous event is celebrated in Puerto Rico where friends and strangers gather around to asaltar and play instruments, sing, and drink rum together?
Puerto Rico parranda
What has been a popular go-to Christmas dinner in Japan since the 1970s? It is so popular that orders must be placed at least 2 months in advance!
Kentucky Fried Chicken
The ancient menorah is a symbol of the Creation in 7 days, with the center light representing the Sabbath. It was meant to represent an eternal flame. How many candles does the Hanukkah menorah have?
9 candles
According to the Guiness Book of Records, what is the #1 best-selling Christmas song of all time?
White Christmas
Three Kings Day is celebrated on the 12th day of Christmas (aka January 6th), which represents the 3 wise men who discovered Jesus. Latin traditions around the world bake a cake into a circular shape and place what inside the cake? Hint: it symbolizes luck/prosperity for the coming year, but you’re also responsible to make tamales for the Day of Candles on February 2nd
Baby Jesus figurine
Americans started what Christmas tradition during the Great Depression in the 1930’s as a way to show gratitude during a time of struggle?
Cookies and milk for Santa
During China’s Lunar New Year, “longevity noodles” are eaten for good luck. Whoever prepares the noodles should be cautious not to break them, while the person eating the noodles will gain more luck if they eat the noodles without biting through. So, the longer the noodle, the longer the [____]?
Life
In Germany, Austria, and Hungary, a hairy, demon-like creature is known to be Santa’s worse-half and kidnaps kids who misbehave. His job is to punish kids on the “naughty” list and steal back gifts. What is this creature’s name?
Krampus
What song’s first stanza, written in Hebrew, is typically sung during Hanukkah?
“Ma’oz Tzur” or “Rock of Ages”
More than [___] illnesses are caused by spoiled Christmas leftovers.
400,000
What festival is celebrated in Sweden and based on a Christian martyr that was killed by the Romans in 304 CE because of her religious beliefs? Hint: the festival includes young girls dressed in white, wearing lighted wreaths on their heads
St. Lucia’s day
Which country’s meat-free Christmas Eve dinner begins when the first star appears in the night sky? Hint: the 12-dish dinner represents the 12 apostles and 12 months of the year
Poland
A Mexican legend is based on a girl who could only offer weeds to Jesus on Christmas Eve as a gift. The weeds blossomed into beautiful red plants once she brought them into a church. What is also known as Flores de Noche Buena?
Poinsettias
In the song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, the carolers insist on getting what kind of dessert before leaving?
Figgy pudding
Karamu Ya Imani (Feast of Faith) is a feast that typically takes place on the sixth day of the Kwanzaa period. It was developed during a 1971 city-wide movement of Pan-African organizations. Where was the feast first developed?
Chicago
What 7 principles of Kwanzaa (nguzo saba) relate to the social, spiritual, and physical development of people in the African & African American community?
Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work & responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), Imani (faith)
This type of traditional food is symbolic of the oil miracle and is meant to show how a small amount of oil meant to light the menorah lasted 8 miraculous days back in 164 BC.
Latkes
In Eastern Europe (mainly Ukraine), a spider web is a common ornament on the Christmas tree. It is based on a story of a Christmas spider who made webs across the tree of a poor family who couldn't afford to decorate it. The next morning, the sunlight touches the web. What does the web turn into?
Gold
What was the name of the first black film on Kwanzaa that was narrated by the poet Maya Angelo in 2008?
The Black Candle
Boxing Day, which falls on 12/26 and is celebrated throughout many European countries, is also known around the world as?
St. Stephen's Day or the Feast of Stephen