International influence
Many popular Christmas traditions in the U.S., including decorating trees and advent calendars/wreaths, came from this country thanks to large scale immigration during the second half of the 19th century.
What is Germany?
"Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open ____"
What is sleigh?
These are hung by the fire, waiting to be filled on Christmas morning. The tradition was popularized by the poem "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clark Moore in 1823.
What are stockings?
Although most of the world celebrates this holiday in May, Americans celebrate on the first Monday in September.
What is Labor Day?
This American government division played "Jingle Bells" on December 16, 1965, making it the first Christmas Carol played in space.
What is NASA?
This Tchaikovsky-scored ballet was a failure upon its original premier in St. Petersburg in 1892. But the re-choreographed version by George Balanchine that premiered in 1954 at the New York City Ballet helped it become a beloved holiday classic.
What is The Nutcracker?
"Deck the halls with boughs of holly, 'Tis the season to be _______"
What is jolly?
This American state's traditional holiday greeting is "Mele Kalikimaka."
Called Armistice Day in the U.K., this date marked the end of World War I. In the U.S., it is now commemorated as Veterans Day.
What is November 11th?
Diwali, a festival celebrating the "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance" and associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and Ganesha, the god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles, is celebrated in late fall by people of this faith.
What is Hinduism?
This English royal— who reigned for most of Shakespeare's life— popularized gingerbread cookies (combined with German influence), which remain a typical holiday treat in the U.S.
Who is Queen Elizabeth I?
"Sleigh bells ring
are you listening
in the lane
snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
we're happy tonight
walking in a winter ____"
What is wonderland?
This term usually refers to people with a shared cultural or regional origin living outside their original homeland. Immigration to the U.S. has always helped to shape and enrich holiday traditions and customs.
What is diaspora?
This document ("We hold these truths to be self evident...") was signed on July 4, 1776, becoming one of Americans' most important secular holidays.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
Indigenous to Central America, this flower became associated with Christmas in 16th century Mexico and is now a popular holiday symbol in the U.S.
What is the Poinsettia?
This famous American symbol was a gift from France to the U.S. on Christmas in 1886. Its base features the poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus ("Give me... your huddled masses yearning to breath free..")
What is the Statue of Liberty?
"Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And the days of auld lang ______"
What is syne?
This item has nine candles, each lit over the eight nights Hanukkah (celebrated by roughly 3% of Americans).
What is a menorah?
Presidents' Day, the third Monday in February, falls between the birthdays of these two presidents (Hint: The U.S.'s first president and the president who led the country through the Civil War and end of slavery).
Who are George Washington and Abraham Lincoln?
Lunar New Year is celebrated by many Chinese-Americans, with festivals and parades in cities with large Chinatowns such as New York City and San Fransisco. This mythical animal represents 2024 on the Chinese Zodiac.
What is a dragon?
Present-day Santa Claus is based on folklore and traditions related to Saint Nicholas, who was a 4th century bishop in this modern-day country.
What is Turkey?
"Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Próspero año y _______"
What is felicidad?
This holiday was created by activist Maulana Karenga in 1966 to celebrate African-American identity. Its principles are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
What is Kawanzaa?
This minister authored "Letters from a Birmingham Jail" and led the nonviolent civil rights movement. He is honored with a federal holiday on the third Monday of January.
Who is Martin Luther King Jr.?
Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery. Many Americans consider it our "second Independence Day".
On June 19th, 1865, enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation was announced in this state.
Hint: Its land mass is roughly the size of France.
What is Texas?