Preparing for the Holidays
You’ll use a lot of these four foundational ingredients for cookie baking. Name two of them.
What is flour, butter, sugar, or eggs/milk? Vanilla is also an essential ingredient in many, but not all, cookie recipes. Gingerbread cookies are a holiday favorite.
Before he was the 34th president, he received a Purple Heart for heroic actions during World War II.
Who is JFK? Kennedy was the commanding officer of a torpedo boat that was destroyed; he saved the lives of many of his crew after the attack.
In February 1972, Richard Nixon made history as the first U.S. president to visit this nation.
What is China? Called the “week that changed the world,” the much-televised visit included tours of cultural sites like the Great Wall as well as diplomatic meetings.
What is the striped, non-chocolate candy that is shaped like a hook?
Candy cane. Legend suggests that a choirmaster in Germany handed these out to the younger singers to keep them quiet during the holiday ceremony.
What tuna company started using Charlie the Tuna as its mascot in 1961?
StarKist Company. Do you remember why StarKist always turns Charlie down with the ad slogan “Sorry, Charlie”? Because he is always trying to prove that he has good taste but, as the commercial states, StarKist only cares that its tuna tastes good.
Stock up on cranberries, popcorn, and string to make these with the grandkids.
What are garlands? Alternate cranberries and popcorn on lengths of string and use them as Christmas tree garlands
This author of Slaughterhouse-Five served in the army during the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded a Purple Heart and a Prisoner of War Medal.
Who is Kurt Vonnegut? He later served as the honorary president of the American Humanist Association.
In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became the first woman prime minister of this country.
What is the United Kingdom? She became known as the “Iron Lady” and was elected to serve three terms, resigning her post in November 1989.
Peppermint oil aromatherapy is promoted for treating certain health problems. Can you name two of them?
Cough/cold, reducing pain, improving mental function, and reducing stress. Peppermint has also been used to help with irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive problems.
What is the title of Maya Angelou’s 1969 autobiography?
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. It is the first of seven works Angelou published about her life over the years.
Make sure you have enough of these to mail to family and friends.
What are cards (or postage)? You don’t have to spend money on postage for youngsters these days. They would prefer an electronic greeting card, which you can send from your phone.
Before hosting this show in the early 1960s, Rod Serling was awarded a Purple Heart for his service as a World War II paratrooper.
What is The Twilight Zone? During his time in the army, he met Jack Benny and first got into acting.
This body of water was the landing place for the Apollo 13 spacecraft on April 17, 1970.
What is the South Pacific Ocean? The lunar landing mission was cut short when an oxygen tank exploded.
What is the name of the Hershey chocolate-coated peppermint candy?
York Peppermint Pattie. It gets its name from where it originated––in York, Pennsylvania.
What are a human’s third molars usually called?
Wisdom teeth. Typically, this third set of molars does not appear until age 17 to 21, and not everyone gets all four teeth, even later in life.
It would be more economical to purchase one of these table decorations at a grocery store rather than at a florist.
What is centerpiece? A low centerpiece is best so people can see each other over it.
This actor, known for The Rockford Files and The Great Escape, was awarded two Purple Hearts for his service in the Korean War.
Who is James Garner? A mix-up resulted in Garner not receiving his second Purple Heart until 1983.
An explosion at this nuclear power plant in 1986 prompted the evacuation of 135,000 people from nearby towns.
What is Chernobyl? A 2019 miniseries retells the story of the accident in modern-day Ukraine.
What is the No. 1 song by Joey Dee and the Starlighters from 1961? Hint: It centers around a dance craze.
“Peppermint Twist.” The Twist dance craze was developed in New York City at the Peppermint Lounge.
What is Canada’s national breed of horse: Arabian, Canadian, or Appaloosa?
The Canadian horse. The horses were originally brought to Canada from the royal stables of France in 1665 and were considered Breton and Norman breeds. After a century of mixing the two species, the Canadian horse breed was developed. They were officially recognized in 1909 and declared the national horse in May 2002.
You’ll want to have gelt on hand to play this game after a Hanukkah dinner.
What is dreidel? Chocolate coins are typically used as gelt.
Author and activist Ron Kovic was awarded a Purple Heart in 1968 for his service during this war.
What is the Vietnam War? Kovic’s 1976 memoir Born on the Fourth of July was later made into a movie starring Tom Cruise.
This is the place where Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer played what some consider the most famous chess match of all time in 1972.
What is Reykjavík, Iceland? Fischer defeated Spassky to become the World Chess Champion.
What brand began using peppermint and spearmint oil to flavor its toothpaste in the late 1800s?
Colgate. Peppermint and menthol give the sensation of coolness and promote fresh breath.
Although not an official rule in baseball, what is the term for the short break in the seventh inning?
The seventh-inning stretch. This “intermission” occurred in American baseball games as early as 1869. In the early-1970s, White Sox broadcaster Harry Caray added the tradition of singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch.