Holiday Traditions
In this country, shoes are left out on December 5th to be filled with gifts by Saint Nicholas.
What is Germany?
In "Elf", Buddy learns he is not actually an elf but was adopted by this character, who raised him at the North Pole.
Who is Papa Elf?
This carol includes the line "O tidings of comfort and joy."
What is "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"?
This 1980s toy craze featured a small, colorful plastic figure with a "surprise" inside, and it was a top holiday gift for kids.
What is a Cabbage Patch Doll?
This African-American holiday, created in 1966, celebrates African heritage and is marked by lighting seven candles on a kinara.
What is Kwanzaa?
During this holiday, families in Sweden celebrate by dressing someone as "Lucia" in a white gown with a crown of candles.
What is St. Lucia Day?
The leg lamp in "A Christmas Story" is described as a "major award" won from this specific type of contest.
What is a newspaper sweepstakes?
In this carol, the singer implores "Let your heart be light."
What is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"?
In 2007, this fruit-shaped technology device made waves as the most coveted holiday gift, combining a phone, music player, and internet browser.
What is the iPhone?
This Christmas carol, written in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr, was first performed in a small Austrian church and has since become one of the most popular carols worldwide.
What is "Silent Night"?
The "Yule Log," a Christmas tradition where a large log is burned to mark the holiday season, originated in this country during the medieval period.
What is France?
In "It's a Wonderful Life" George Bailey learns how important he is to others thanks to this angel-in-training.
Who is Clarence?
This carol, often sung at Christmas Eve services, mentions "peace on earth and mercy mild."
What is "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"?
This interactive doll, introduced in 1996, became a holiday sensation due to its ability to "talk" and respond to human interaction, leading to a nationwide toy shortage.
What is a Furby?
This holiday, which lights candles on a menorah for eight days, was officially recognized by the U.S. Congress in 1994 as a holiday of religious freedom.
What is Hanukkah?
Breaking a piñata filled with candy is a tradition for Las Posadas, celebrated before this holiday.
What is Christmas?
In "Coco", the Pixar movie inspired by Día de Los Muertos, Miguel enters the Land of the Dead to seek this family member.
Who is Ernesto de la Cruz (or his great-great-grandfather)?
This classic carol asks "Do you see what I see?" and has been recorded by many artists.
What is "Do You Hear What I Hear?"?
In the 1990s, this portable gaming device from Nintendo became one of the most popular holiday gifts, with iconic titles like "Pokémon Red" and "Pokémon Blue."
What is the Game Boy?
In Mexico, these plants grow wild in large bushes that flush with bright red leaves in the dead of winter. Joel R. Poinsett, the very first U.S. minister to Mexico, brought back these red-and-green plants from a visit in 1828.
What are poinsettias?
On New Year's Eve in Spain, it's traditional to eat twelve of these at midnight for good luck in the coming year.
What are grapes?
In "Eight Crazy Nights", Adam Sandler voices this character, a misfit who learns the meaning of Hanukkah through a series of comedic and heartfelt moments.
Who is Davey Stone?
This 16th-century carol features the line "Glad tidings we bring to you and your kin." It has roots in the tradition of English mummers plays.
What is "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"?
Released in 1977, this action figure line became a massive hit during the holidays, featuring characters from a space saga that would become one of the most popular movie franchises of all time.
What are Star Wars action figures?
The first known Christmas tree was decorated in this German city in the 16th century, where it became a tradition among Protestant families.
What is Strasbourg?