Winter Wonderland
This month marks the start of winter in Canada, according to the calendar
December
This December holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is marked by decorated trees, lights, and gift-giving.
Christmas
This classic winter activity involves sliding down a snowy hill on a sled or toboggan
tobogganing (or sledding)
These striped red-and-white sweets are hung on Christmas trees and shaped like tiny shepherd’s crooks.
Candycane
This fire-breathing creature appears in stories around the world and is often shown with wings, scales, and a long tail.
Dragons
This natural phenomenon occurs when water vapor freezes directly into ice crystals, decorating trees, windows, and branches.
Frost
This Jewish holiday, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated with a menorah, dreidels, and fried foods.
Hannukah
This type of winter camping involves sleeping in a shelter made from compacted snow, traditionally used by Indigenous Arctic peoples. What is this shelter called?
Igloo
These decorated cookies are made from molasses and warm spices and often shaped into little people or houses.
Gingerbread
This half-human, half-horse creature from Greek mythology is known for its strength and wild nature.
Cantaur
This dangerous winter condition happens when warm air meets a cold surface, covering roads and sidewalks with a thin, invisible layer of ice.
Black Ice
This plant with red berries and green leaves is hung in doorways, and tradition says you can kiss someone underneath it.
Mistletoe
This graceful winter activity involves gliding across the ice and performing spins, jumps, and footwork—often seen in competitions and in the Winter Olympics.
Figure skating
This classic Christmas drink is made with milk, cream, eggs, sugar, and nutmeg — and served hot or cold.
Eggnog
This legendary creature, also known as Sasquatch, is said to roam the remote forests of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest, leaving behind oversized footprints.
Bigfoot or Sasquatch
This term refers to the severe snowstorms common in Canada, featuring strong winds that cause blowing snow and reduced visibility.
Blizzard
This traditional Christmas plant is often used in centerpieces and wreaths, and its bright red “flowers” are actually colored leaves called bracts.
Poinsettia
This winter activity lets you ride down a snowy hill in an inflatable tube, often on specially groomed lanes at ski parks.
Snow Tubing
These small chocolate treats, often wrapped in gold foil and shaped like tiny bells or balls, are a classic addition to holiday gift baskets and stockings.
Chocolate Truffles
This massive sea creature, sometimes described as a giant squid or octopus, is part of Scandinavian folklore and capable of dragging whole ships underwater.
Kraken
This cold-weather event happens when warm ocean air collides with Arctic air over the Great Lakes, producing extremely heavy snowfall in narrow bands.
Lake-effect
These long, shiny decorations made of thin strips of foil are hung on Christmas trees to look like ice.
Tinsel
This Quebec winter festival, one of the largest in the world, features ice palaces, night parades, and the mascot Bonhomme.
Quebec Winter Carnaval (Carnaval de Québec)
This classic Canadian winter treat is made by pouring hot maple syrup onto fresh snow, where it cools into a sticky ribbon you roll onto a popsicle stick.
Maple Taffy
This winged horse from Greek mythology sprang from the blood of Medusa and is often associated with heroism and poetry.
Pegasus