Festive Figures
Seasonal Cinema
Winter Weather
Traveling Traditions
Merry Music
100
This round and jolly Christmas figure is beloved by children everywhere, but he prefers to don a black top hat in lieu of a red cap.
Who is Frosty the Snowman? - Known for his animated special, Frosty first appeared in a popular Christmas song written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson, and first recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys in 1950 and later recorded by Jimmy Durante.
100
This British legend of the stage and screen starred alongside Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy in their adaption of Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol"
Who is Michael Caine? - Caine took on the role of the famous miser Ebenezer Scrooge, while Kermit played his trusty clerk Bob Cratchit
100
This term represents not the actual temperature, but rather how the wind & cold feel to exposed skin.
What is Wind Chill? - windchill is the lowering of body temperature due to the passing-flow of lower-temperature air. Wind chill numbers are always lower than the air temperature for values where the formula is valid.
100
Similar to the Menorah of Hanukkah in the Jewish faith, the African holiday of Kwanzaa is often celebrated with seven candles held in this candle holder.
What is a Kinara? - A kinara holds seven candles, three red ones on the left, three green ones on the right with a black candle in the center. Each night during Kwanzaa a candle is lit. The black, center, candle is lit first and then it alternates between the red and green candles stating with the ones on the outside and moving inwards.
100
You would find ten of these on the tenth day of Christmas
What are Ten Lords A-Leaping? - This song exploring the 12 days of Advent preceding Christmas. On this tenth day, many believe that these Ten Lords are meant to represent the ten commandments, with the other 11 days serving as similar allegories.
200
Some stories will have this infant bear a strong likeness to key events in his time. You best believe that he will stay up past his bedtime to hear the bells chime on midnight.
Who is Baby New Year? - The Baby New Year is a personification of the start of the New Year commonly seen in editorial cartoons. He symbolizes the "birth" of the next year and the "passing" of the prior year; in other words, a "rebirth".
200
In Home Alone 2, Kevin McCallister spends the holidays in New York while his family is stuck in this American City
What is Miami? - The McCallister's decided to spend Christmas in Miami, Florida. Too bad Kevin, and the rain, had other ideas
200
Some think Jack Frost is to blame, but these 3 bodies of water are the major sources of moisture for U.S. winter storms.
What are the North Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico? - Winds around high- and low-pressure systems (a subject of another lesson) transport this moisture inland. Once the moisture is in place, clouds still need to form.
200
The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah is a time for family, celebration, and of course food. Apart from delicious homemade latkes, this treat is often celebrated and consumed
What are Jelly Donuts? - sufganiyot, or jelly-filled donuts, will also be on the menu. These decadent Jewish delicacies—along with other fried foods—symbolize the miracle of the oil.
200
Many Christmas Carols have ancient connections, reaching as far back as the middle ages. This carol is no different, and is also known by its Latin name "Adeste Fideles"
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What is O Come All Ye Faithul? - The original four verses of the hymn were extended to a total of eight, and these have been translated into many languages. The English translation of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" by the English Catholic priest Frederick Oakeley, written in 1841, is widespread in most English-speaking countries.
300
This terrifying horned monster is part of the Christmas tradition in Austria and other surrounding countries.
Who is Krampus? - The clawed, hairy beast is said to punish naughty children by stealing their toys, smacking them with a birch rod, and even tying them in a sack and chucking them into a river. Krampus is also a prominent presence on Krampusnacht (December 5), when young men outfit themselves in elaborate costumes and masks and terrorize the neighborhood
300
Actor Peter Billingsley will always be associated with the character of Ralphie in "A Christmas Story," but that's not the only holiday classic in which he appears.
What is Elf (2003)? - Billingsley, most known for the role of Ralphie in "A Christmas Story" makes a brief cameo appearance in this Christmas Comedy
300
This Japanese City boasts a fantastical festival where artists build mega-structures out of snow, thanks to its record-breaking snowfall each year
What is Sapporo? - The Sapporo Snow Festival is an annual tradition occurring every February. Over the course of seven days, structures and sculptures take up the entire city
300
Similar to the 12 days of Christmas in the U.S., Iceland celebrates 13. Each night before Christmas, Icelandic children are visited by the 13 Yule Lads. After placing these by the window, the little ones will head upstairs to bed.
What are Shoes? - Similar to stockings, the Yule Lads will fill the shoes with treats if the kids have been good, but rotten potatoes if they have been naughty
300
One of the most unique and beloved of Christmas Carols, Feliz Navidad has become a holiday favorite. Many listen to the famous recording, but few can name the artist performing the Spanish tune.
Who is Jose Feliciano? - This Puerto Rican musician, singer and composer, is best known for many international hits, including his rendition of the Doors' "Light My Fire" and the best-selling Christmas single, "Feliz Navidad." His music is known for its fusion of styles: Latin, jazz, blues, soul and even rock, created primarily with his unique, signature acoustic guitar sound.
400
Covered head-to-toe in dark furs, this mythical figure sneaks a sock or shoe full of candy into children's rooms. But, he will put his foot down if the children have been naughty, and they'll wake up to a shoe full of coal or switches.
Who is Belsnickel? - In parts of Germany and in some Pennsylvania Dutch communities, children get visits from the somewhat less intimidating Belsnickel. In the 19th century, men would sometimes dress up as Belsnickel and go prowling around the city, a practice known as "Belsnicking"
400
Macy's is the iconic store at the center of 1947's "Miracle on 34th Street", but what fictitious retailer replaced it in the 1994 remake?
What is C. F. Cole's? - Due to a subplot about the store's financial woes, mirroring their status at the time, Macy's wanted no part in the classic film's remake
400
On the Gulf of Ob, Siberia in 2016, this winter-time pastime, often made by children, appeared seemingly out of thin air.
What are Snowballs? - Mysterious, giant snowballs began washing up on a beach along the Gulf of Ob. It turns out the ice orbs were formed naturally by the rolling motions of wind and water.
400
Although Christmas isn't a national holiday in Japan, its citizens still find an interesting and delicious way to celebrate. Rather than gathering around the table for a turkey dinner, families head out to this American fast-food chain
What is KFC? - The tradition began in 1974 after a wildly successful marketing campaign called "Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!" or "Kentucky for Christmas!" The fast food chain has maintained its yuletide popularity, causing some people to order their boxes months in advance or stand in two-hour-long lines
400
Bing Crosby's famous tune White Christmas is one of the most listened to Christmas Carols of all time. Apart from his duets with Rosemary Clooney, he also collaborated with this 80s Glam Rocker on "The Little Drummer Boy"
Who is David Bowie? - "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" is a 1982 Christmas song with an added counterpoint performed by David Bowie and Bing Crosby. "The Little Drummer Boy" is a Christmas song written in 1941, while the "Peace on Earth" tune and lyrics, written by Ian Fraser, Larry Grossman, and Alan Kohan, were added for this recording.
500
Children in Italy don't have to worry about Santa, but they definitely want to remain on this witch's good side.
Who is La Befana? - On the night of January 5 each year (Epiphany), Italian kids wake up with the hope that Befana, a shawl-wearing old lady who rides a broomstick, will have come down their chimneys to leave a sock full of candy rather than a lump of coal. Sometimes, she's also known for sweeping the floor before she leaves.
500
This actress, who plays Walter's wife Emily in 2003's "Elf", has actually appeared in a total five holiday films throughout her filmography.
Who is Mary Steenburgen? - Appearing in "Elf", "One Magic Christmas", "Four Christmases", "Turkey Hollow", and this year's "Happiest Season, Steenburgen has made a name for herself in holiday classics.
500
The average snowflake ranges from a size slightly smaller than a penny to the width of a human hair. But according to some unverified sources they can grow much larger. Witnesses of a snowstorm in this American city claimed to see milk-pan sized crystals fall from the sky.
What is Fort Keogh, Montana? - Witnesses in 1887 claimed to have seen these massive flakes. If true that would make them the largest snowflakes ever spotted, at around 15 inches wide.
500
Feeling far more appropriate for Halloween than Christmas, this yuletide tradition is held in Welsh villages and involves a ghostly horse skull wandering the town.
What is Mari Lwyd? - A wassailing folk custom found in South Wales, this tradition entails the use of an eponymous hobby horse which is made from a horse's skull mounted on a pole and carried by an individual hidden under a sackcloth.
500
Thurl Ravenscroft, the singer responsible for "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" classic's song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," also voiced many other characters, including this iconic Kellog's mascot
Who is Tony the Tiger? - This American actor, voice actor and bass singer was known as the booming voice behind Kellogg's Frosted Flakes animated spokesman Tony the Tiger for more than five decades. He also did some voice-over work and singing for Disney in both the films and the attractions at Disneyland (which were later featured at Walt Disney World). The best known of these attractions are Haunted Mansion as a singing bust, Country Bear Jamboree, Mark Twain Riverboat, Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyland Railroad, and Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room as "Fritz".