Holidays Galore
How long is the Menorah lit for Hanukkah?
8 nights (lighting one candle each night)
What kind of food does the song “We Wish you a Merry Christmas” ask you to bring?
Figgy Pudding
What real-life person is Santa Claus based on?
The Christian bishop St. Nicholas)
Which game is similar to ice hockey and is played almost exclusively in the Scandinavian countries, the Baltic states, and Mongolia?
Bandy
Teams of 8–11 players on skates use curved sticks to hit a ball on a large rink. The game began in 18th-century England and is often considered the forerunner of modern ice hockey.
What is the shortest day of the year called?
Winter Solstice
What game do many Jewish families play during Hanukkah?
Dreidel
Why is the candy cane shaped the way it is (what is it supposed to look like?)
A shepherd's staff
What's the most-recorded Christmas song in history?
"Silent Night" is actually the most-recorded Christmas song in history. It's had more than 733 different versions copyrighted since 1978.
Which state has the most ski resorts?
New York
What is the name of the dogsled race that goes from Anchorage to Nome in early March?
The Iditarod
What traditional New Year’s Eve song, sung at the stroke of midnight, was originally a Scottish folk song?
“Auld Lang Syne.”
What's the name of the potato pancakes (or fritters) that Jewish people eat for Hanukkah?
Latkes
Classic latkes are made with shredded potatoes and grated onions, bound with flour and eggs, then pan-fried
What year was the first Christmas postage stamp released?
1962: the first Christmas stamp in the US featured a wreath, two candles and the phrase "Christmas 1962."
Where did speed skating originate?
The Netherlands is widely regarded as the birthplace of speed skating, with roots dating to at least the 13th century.
Which state has the most snow days per year?
Alaska
Several locations in Alaska receive over 600 inches of snow annually, far exceeding snowfall levels seen in the continental United States
This organization was started in 1947 when the wife of a Marine Corps Reserve Major asked him to deliver some dolls to an agency that could give them to children in need. When it transpired that no such agency existed, she told him to start one!
Toys for Tots
Maj Hendricks and the Marines in his reserve unit in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys in 1947.
In what country did the tradition of decorating gingerbread houses start?
Germany
Which state was the first to recognize Christmas?
In 1836, Alabama became the first state to recognize Christmas as a state holiday, with Arkansas and Louisiana following suit.
What year was the first Winter Olympic Games?
The first Winter Olympics, originally called the International Winter Sports Week, took place in Chamonix, France, from January 25 to February 5, 1924. Though not initially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as official Games, its success led the IOC to establish the permanent Winter Olympic Games.
What's the most popular day of the year to get engaged?
Christmas Day!
What holiday is celebrated between January 21 and February 20 in many Asian countries?
Lunar New Year
Predominantly known as the Spring Festival in China (see Chinese New Year), traditions include cleaning homes, family gatherings, festive foods, red envelopes, and fireworks.
From which culture do we get the tradition of leaving out milk and cookies for Santa and his reindeer?
It likely comes from ancient Norse mythology. Children would leave food out for the god Odin and his eight-legged horse, Sleipner, in the hopes that Odin would leave them a fun gift.
On average, how much does an American spend on Christmas (including gifts, decorations, etc?)
$1,000
According to the National Retail Federation's most recent data, consumers spend an average of $967.13 on the holidays.
What is the first city in the world to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics?
Beijing
What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by snow either permanently or temporarily?
a. 17 percent
b. 23 percent
c. 34 percent
d. 45 percent
b. 23 percent