Classic Christmas Literature
This author wrote A Christmas Carol, one of the most famous Christmas tales of all time.
Who is Charles Dickens?
In Catalonia, people place a figurine called “El Caganer” in their nativity scenes. What does this figure represent?
What is a figure defecating, symbolizing fertility and good fortune?
The first Christmas tree displayed at the White House was placed there by this U.S. president.
Who is Franklin Pierce?
This rich fruitcake soaked in rum is a popular Christmas treat in the Caribbean.
What is black cake?
This song includes the lyrics “Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow.”
What is Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas?
In The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann, this character brings the nutcracker to life.
Who is Clara?
In Indonesia, Christmas trees are often made from this unusual material rather than the usual evergreen branches.
What are chicken feathers?
In 1914, during WWI, soldiers from opposing sides took part in an unofficial Christmas truce, where they famously did this activity together.
What is played football (soccer)?
This Swedish dish, a type of cured salmon, is often served at Christmas meals.
What is gravlax?
This British holiday song is known for the recurring line, “It’s Christmastime, there’s no need to be afraid.”
What is Do They Know It’s Christmas? by Band Aid?
This 1822 poem, originally titled A Visit from St. Nicholas, popularized many modern ideas about Santa Claus.
What is 'Twas the Night Before Christmas?
The Syrian Christmas legend involves this animal, part of the Nativity story, delivering presents on New Year’s Eve.
What is a camel?
This famous Christmas song, often credited as the first song broadcast from space, was performed by Gemini 6 astronauts in 1965.
What is Jingle Bells?
Greenland celebrates with a dish called kiviak, made by fermenting this bird in seal skin.
What is an auk?
Elvis Presley sang about this Christmas item “shining bright” in one of his classic holiday songs.
What is a Blue Christmas?
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry tells the story of a young couple who sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy each other gifts. Name the couple.
Who are Jim and Della?
In Scotland, this holiday is celebrated with torchlight processions, street festivals, and the tradition of "first-footing," where the first visitor after midnight brings good luck.
What is Hogmanay?
In 1991, this Soviet leader gave his final speech on Christmas Day, marking the official dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War era.
Who is Mikhail Gorbachev?
In Poland, a traditional Christmas Eve meal known as Wigilia includes this fermented soup made from rye flour and flavored with sausage or mushrooms, symbolizing warmth and prosperity for the coming year.
What is żurek?
In The Christmas Song, made famous by Nat King Cole, he sings about these items “nipping at your nose.”
What are Jack Frost or cold weather?
This character, in A Christmas Carol, utters the famous line, “God bless us, everyone!”
Who is Tiny Tim?
In Venezuela, it’s traditional to travel to early morning Christmas services on this form of transportation.
What are roller skates?
This company created Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as a marketing ploy in 1939.
What is Montgomery Ward?
In Italy, this Christmas dessert is a rich, dense cake filled with dried fruits and nuts, named for its dome shape.
What is panettone?
This melancholy song, written by Joni Mitchell, is often considered a Christmas classic despite its themes of longing and loss.
What is River?