Winter Holidays
(around the world)
(around the world)
What red-suited figure is commonly associated with Christmas gift-giving?
Santa Claus
On December 7, 1941, what major event occurred, pulling the U.S. into World War II?
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
What is frozen atmospheric water vapor commonly known as?
Snow
In Home Alone, what is the first name of the main character left behind by his family?
Kevin
What plant is commonly hung in doorways during December?
Mistletoe
What Jewish holiday celebrated in December is known as the Festival of Lights?
Hanukkah
Which South African leader and anti-apartheid activist died on December 5, 2013?
Nelson Mandela
What is the name for the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring in late December?
The Winter Solstice
Which singer’s 1994 hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” returns to the charts every December?
Mariah Carey
What red plant with star-shaped leaves is associated with Christmas and originates from Mexico?
Poinsettia
Which African-American cultural holiday begins on December 26th and lasts seven days?
Kwanzaa
In December 1991, what major world superpower officially dissolved?
The Soviet Union
What term describes a large snowstorm with winds over 35 mph lasting at least three hours?
A Blizzard
What 1964 stop-motion Christmas special features the character Hermey the Elf?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
In folklore, what is the name of the half-goat, half-demon figure said to punish naughty children in early December?
Krampus
In which country is the Christmas tradition of the Yule Lads—mischievous troll-like brothers—celebrated?
Iceland
On December 16, 1773, what event involving colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians took place?
The Boston Tea Party
What is the scientific name for the process in which snowflakes form around microscopic particles in the air?
Nucleation
What 1983 holiday film features the infamous line “You’ll shoot your eye out!”?
A Christmas Story
What Norse god is sometimes linked to early Santa-like mythological origins due to his wintery, sky-riding imagery?
Odin
What is the name of the pre-Christian Roman festival held in mid-December that influenced many Christmas traditions?
Saturnalia
Who was the astronaut aboard Apollo 17 who took the famous “Blue Marble” photograph on December 7, 1972?
Harrison Schmitt
What rare optical phenomenon sometimes seen in cold regions forms a horizontal streak of light near the horizon due to ice crystals?
A Light Pillar
In the classic ballet The Nutcracker, what is the name of the villainous king Clara’s toy soldier battles?
The Mouse King
In Celtic tradition, the battle between the Oak King and Holly King represents what seasonal transition that occurs in late December?
The rebirth of the sun at the Winter Solstice (light returning as the days grow longer)