Christmas Around the World
Origins of Christmas
Winter Holidays

Traditions & Symbols
Holiday Fun
100

This country is known for Christmas markets and the tradition of the Christmas tree.

Germany

100

Christmas celebrates the birth of this historical figure.

Jesus Christ

100

This Jewish holiday is known as the Festival of Lights.

Hanukkah

100

This red-and-white character delivers gifts on Christmas Eve.

Santa

100

This famous holiday song begins with “You better watch out…”

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

200

In this country, children often receive gifts on January 6 for Three Kings Day.

Spain (also Mexico acceptable)

200

This ancient Roman festival influenced Christmas celebrations with feasting and gift-giving.

Saturnalia

200

Kwanzaa celebrates African American culture and lasts this many days.

7 days

200

The tradition of hanging stockings comes from stories about this person.

St. Nicholas

200

In A Christmas Carol, this character learns to change his ways.

Ebenezer Scrooge

300

This Latin American tradition involves reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter.

Las Posadas

300

The tradition of decorating evergreen trees comes from this region.

Northern Europe / Germany

300

This ancient pagan holiday celebrated the winter solstice.

Yule

300

This plant is traditionally hung for decoration and associated with kissing.

Mistletoe

300

This movie features a boy accidentally left home during Christmas.

Home Alone

400

In this country, people often attend midnight Mass on Christmas Eve called “Misa de Gallo.”

Philippines

400

This historical figure inspired the modern image of Santa Claus.

St. Nicholas

400

The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year in this hemisphere.

Northern Hemisphere

400

The star placed on top of a Christmas tree represents this biblical story.

The Star of Bethlehem

400

This holiday movie takes place mostly in New York City and features an elf from the North Pole.

Elf

500

This African country celebrates Christmas on January 7 due to a different calendar system.

Ethiopia

500

Christmas was officially recognized as a holiday in the Roman Empire during the reign of this emperor.

Constantine the Great

500

This holiday celebrates the return of longer days after winter.

Winter Solstice

500

Candy canes are believed to symbolize this religious symbol.

A shepherd’s staff (or the letter “J” for Jesus)

500

This modern country helped popularize the global image of Santa Claus in red.

United States

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