Holiday Treats
Creamy, rich, alcoholic beverage served from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day
What is Eggnog?
Traditional fried, shredded potato dish formed to resemble small pancakes
What are latkes?
Variations include latkes made with sweet potato or cauliflower and a wide variety of herbs and/or spices.
Hanukkah means “light” in English
False.
“Dedication” is the closest English transliteration for the word Hanukkah.
Born December 13, 1818, this first lady is named in this popular saying: “Other than that, Mrs. [last name], how was the play?”
Who is Mary Todd Lincoln?
She was not a popular first lady. Did you know that during the Civil War, her family supported the South? After President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, her son had her temporarily committed.
On December 31, 1904, New Year’s Eve was first celebrated in this popular U.S. location.
What is Times Square?
Around 200,000 people attended the inaugural event. Some authorities estimate recent New Year’s Eve crowds at around two million people. The first celebrations included fireworks, but they were replaced with the dropping ball in 1907.
Edible holiday house
What is gingerbread?
It’s the spices that create gingerbread’s distinctive taste: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove.
Family-sized, slow-cooked cut of beef
What is brisket?
Hanukkah is not considered one of the major Jewish religious holidays
True. Hanukkah is not considered one of Judaism’s high holidays, or important religious holidays. Yom Kippur is the holiest Jewish holiday, followed by Rosh Hashanah.
Born December 9, 1916, one of his most famous roles was Spartacus in the 1960 film of the same name. He also starred in the 1964 film Seven Days in May with Burt Lancaster.
Who is Kirk Douglas?
His identifying characteristic is his prominent cleft chin.
On December 24, 1955, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) began tracking this individual’s journey.
Who is Santa?
At the time, NORAD didn’t exist. Its predecessor was the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This tradition began when Sears ran an ad in the newspaper with an erroneous phone number. It was CONAD’s phone number, and they picked up the ball and ran with it. Today, you can track Santa’s journey at www.noradsanta.org. Tracking begins on December 1.
Italian version of a sweet bread with dried fruit
What is panettone?
It dates to the Roman Empire. It’s a popular treat in Europe, Latin America, and Australia.
Traditional oil used in Hanukkah cooking and baking
What is olive?
It symbolizes the oil in the temple. During the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem, there was enough oil to light the menorah in the temple for one night, but it lasted for eight nights. That’s the reason Hanukkah is called the Festival of Lights.
Currently, menorahs have holders for nine candles, but in ancient times, they held fewer candles.
True. Ancient versions of menorahs have been excavated, but they have spaces for only four to seven lanterns or candles. Scholars are unsure about how and when the nine-part menorah was invented.
Born December 26, 1921, he is best remembered as the first host of The Tonight Show.
Who is Steve Allen?
He authored more than 50 books and composed around 5,000 pieces.
On December 19, 1843, this Charles Dickens novel was published.
What is A Christmas Carol?
The book spawned memorable characters, and younger generations have experienced the story through several film versions.
Traditional, booze-soaked, dense Christmas cake everyone loves to hate
What is fruit cake?
Everyone made fruit cake to give to friends and relatives during the 1950s and 1960s, but did anyone ever eat it?
Sour-cream dough pastry stuffed with dried fruits and spices or a savory filling; it resembles a stuffed Pillsbury crescent roll.
What is rugelach?
George W. Bush was the president who established the tradition of a White House Hanukkah party.
True. President George W. Bush held the first White House Hanukkah party in 2001.
Born December 21, 1954, she won her first Wimbledon (women’s singles) in 1974, the same year Jimmy Connors won the men’s singles.
Who is Chris Evert?
She and Jimmy Connors were once engaged but didn’t marry.
On December 8, 1949, this once-unified Asian country divided into two countries.
What is China?
The civil war was won by the Communist regime, known as the People’s Republic of China (Mainland China or PRC). The Republic of China’s government moved to the island of Taiwan. Most governments recognize the PRC as the official government of China.
Name for Hanukkah chocolate coins wrapped in gold or silver
What are Gelt?
Gelt were once used for tips.
A pareve dessert is made without ingredients from either of these food types.
What are meat and milk (dairy)?
The waiting period between milk and meat dishes for those observing kosher dietary laws is six hours, so a pareve dessert can be served with either a dairy meal or a meat meal.
Hanukkah is a celebration of the rededication of a Jewish temple that had been taken from the Jews and was being used to honor Zeus.
True. The temple in the Hanukkah story was used to honor the god Zeus, who is not recognized in the Jewish tradition.
Born December 25, 1887, he founded an eponymous domestic and international chain of hotels that grew to 3,600 properties, and he was once married briefly to Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Who is Conrad Hilton?
Today, most Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25; however, some Orthodox Christians in the East celebrate Christmas on this date.
What is January 6?
The date discrepancy is because Orthodox countries did not immediately convert to the new Gregorian calendar after the Great Schism from the Roman Catholic Church.