HISTORY TIME
What group banned Christmas in Boston for over 20 years?
Who are the Puritans?
The word we used from the French to mean Christmas.
What is Noel?
Grandma was enjoying a nice glass of this when she was runover.
What is eggnog?
What is 3 billion?
The most commonly associated aviary animal with Christmas. Hint: the Royal Mailperson was nicknamed after this animal because of the color of the postmen's coat.
What is a robin?
Since 1947, Trafalgar Square has been gifted their iconic spruce from this neighboring country.
What is Norway?
This Germanic word literally translates to "dung on a twig". Doesn't that sound romantic?
What is Mistletoe?
We begged Grandma not to go, but she had to venture into the snow because she forgot this.
What is her medication?
When Christmas Trees were first sold in the U.S.
What is 1850?
Associated in a pair, these two represent truth and peace during the holiday season.
What are turtle doves?
In WWII, the American and British intelligence agency's gifted these to Allied soldiers. They seemed innocuous enough... but when wet, they peeled apart to reveal maps of escape routes for known POW camps.
What are playing cards?
The ancient Germanic pagan holiday that now means Christmas.
What is Yule or Yuletide?
What incriminating evidence was found on Grandma's back?
What are Claus Marks?
The length of time it takes to grow an average sized Christmas tree.
What is ~15 years?
Four "calling" birds? This is a mishearing of the word "colly", which derives from a collier or a coal miner.
What are blackbirds?
The largest Christmas gift ever sent. This record has been standing since 1865.
What is the Statue of Liberty?
Derived from the Latin, scintilla (which means spark), this word refers to flashy clothing that sometimes contained real gold or silver thread.
What is Tinsel?
Grandpa has been taking the news so well. He is in there watching football with this cousin.
Who is Cousin Mel?
The first state to officially recognize Christmas.
What is Alabama?
Eight maids a-milking.. This refers to the now obsolete folk-name "goat-sucker".
What is a nightjar?
The ancient Roman holiday held from December 17th to the 23rd had a large influence on how Christmas is celebrated today.
What is Saturnalia?
The Old Norse phrase meaning "be in good health" or "be fortunate". The English later turned used this phrase to name a warmed, spiced cider during the winter months. I guess that is one good things the Danes brought to our Anglo-cousins.
What is Wassail?
The color of the candles that would have matched Grandmas wig.
What is blue and silver?
The last state to recognize Christmas.
What is Oklahoma?
Eleven of these "pipers-piping" is actually a reference to medieval chefs cooking this bird for their liege.
What is a sandpiper?