Delicious Desserts
What delicious dessert is categorized as baked or unbaked and has a graham cracker crust with cream cheese as the main ingredient?
Cheesecake. The Greeks created the first known cheesecake over 4,000 years ago.
Holly berries are known for being what color?
Red. However, they aren’t always red––some holly berries are black, green, or even yellow
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 1987 heartfelt holiday film stars Steve Martin and John Candy?
Planes, Trains & Automobiles. In three days, John Hughes wrote the first draft of the screenplay.
How many sides does a snowflake have?
Six. No two snowflakes are exactly alike.
What mammal has soft hair mixed with sharp quills?
Porcupine. The only places they don’t have quills are their face, belly, and feet
What is the most popular pie in the United States, made with a fruit that can be found in 7,500 varieties?
Apple pie. It’s commonly topped with vanilla ice cream and cheese.
What is the name of the carol with the lyrics, “City sidewalks, busy sidewalks/ dressed in holiday style/In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas”?
“Silver Bells.” The song was written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans for the 1951 film The Lemon Drop Kid, starring Bob Hope.
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.
In what movie did George Bailey jump into icy water to save his brother, causing him to catch a bad cold and become deaf in his left ear?
It’s a Wonderful Life. James Stewart plays George Bailey in the 1947 film.
What is the term for the shortest day of the year in December when Earth’s poles tilt farthest away from the sun?
Winter solstice. The winter solstice can fall anywhere between December 20 and 23.
What do pine trees produce that come in both male and female forms?
Pine cones. Male pine cones produce pollen, and females produce the seeds
What is the name of the Italian pudding-like dessert that consists of layers of ladyfingers or sponge cake?
Tiramisu. In Italian it means “carry me up,” and it was originally made with a loose custard.
What legumes are associated with the South on New Year’s Eve or Day?
Black-eyed peas. Sometimes they are incorporated with pork, onion, celery, and other ingredients into a dish called “Hoppin’ John.”
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.
Who wrote the book on which the 1966 animated film How the Grinch Stole Christmas is based?
Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel). Boris Karloff narrates the 26-minute production.
What is the process in winter wherein animals become inactive to save energy because food is in short supply?
Hibernation. During hibernation, an animal’s heart rate and breathing slow down and their body temperature drops.
What prehistoric creature liked to eat pine cones?
Dinosaurs. Pine cones were an important food source for large sauropod dinosaurs.
What famous dessert is roasted over a flame and made of graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows?
S’mores. Fun fact: Americans buy 90 million pounds of marshmallows each year.
What is the traditional metal color of Christmas?
Gold. It was one of the gifts brought by the three wise men.
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.
In what Christmas film do four ghosts visit Ebenezer Scrooge?
A Christmas Carol. The four ghosts are Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
To what city would you travel to visit the Winter Palace?
St. Petersburg. In 1917, Lenin Bolsheviks stormed the palace during their seizure of power, and the clock was stopped in the room the moment the provisional government was arrested. It has remained frozen ever since.
Brazil is home to what fruit that symbolizes friendship and hospitality?
Pineapple. Many would hang pineapples outside their homes to make their entryway smell nice and welcoming to guests.
What dessert was once considered a “healthy alternative” to traditional desserts? Hint: It has a vegetable in it
Carrot cake. It’s thought to have originated from medieval carrot puddings.
Plants that have green leaves or needles all year are called what?
Evergreen. Many are made into wreaths and centerpieces at this time of year.
Who calls Charlie Brown “Chuck” in the Peanuts comic strip?
Peppermint Patty. Charles M. Schulz modeled the character after his cousin Patricia Swanson.
In what movie does the McCallister family go on vacation to Paris, France, accidentally leaving their young son Kevin at home by himself?
Home Alone. Macaulay Culkin plays Kevin in Home Alone and its sequel, Home Alone: Lost in New York.
In what country does the Winter Festival of Lights take place? Hint: It’s in Niagara Falls.
Canada. Most years, the festival runs from November to February and is the largest free outdoor festival in Canada.
What does the pine cone statue outside Cortile della Pigna (the Court of the Pine Cone) in Vatican City symbolize: Jesus, the “third eye,” or everlasting life?
The “third eye.” The pope’s staff also has a pine cone to signify the illumination of the church.
What is the long French pastry dessert known for its cream or custard filling?
The éclair (e-CLAIR). The chocolate éclair is one of the most popular
What festive color, also represented by Ag on the periodic table of elements, is associated with Hanukkah?
Silver. You will see a lot of blue, silver, and white during the season of Hanukkah
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.
What iconic 1947 holiday film stars Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood?
Miracle on 34th Street. The film writers came up with the idea while waiting in line at a department store.
What specific article of clothing is sometimes encouraged at parties in the winter despite being hideous?
An ugly sweater. You wouldn’t be caught dead in sweaters like this at any other time of year. Holiday sweaters have been around since the 19th century, but the ugly sweater didn’t make an appearance until the 1960s.
What is the name of the forest area along the southern coastal plain of New Jersey?
The Pine Barrens. It’s also known as the Pine Lands and covers over 1.1 million acres.