Christmas Traditions
This tradition, now associated with Christmas, began in Ancient Greece as a blessing of fertility in wedding ceremonies.
Kissing under the mistletoe
This real-life department store served as the setting for the Christmas film “Miracle on 34th Street”.
Macy's
These fried potato pancakes are a staple Hanukkah dish.
Latkes
This catch 1994 Christmas tune is the best-selling Christmas single ever recorded by a female artist, as well as being one of the highest-selling singles in music history.
All I Want for Christmas is You
This Christmas plant, popular for its bright red leaves, is native to Mexico and Central America.
poinsettia
In Germany, this frightening anti-Santa Claus with goat’s hooves and horns punishes children who misbehave instead of bringing them gifts.
Krampus
This 1946 classic movie ends with the line, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings."
It's a Wonderful Life
Visions of these holiday treats danced in the heads of the children “nestled, all snug in their beds.”
Sugar Plums
In his original 1943 recording of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, Bing Crosby crooned, “Christmas Eve will find me…” here.
Where the love light gleams
At Christmastime, Santa rings a bell in front of grocery stores and collects money in red kettles for this charitable organization.
Salvation Army
This holiday, observed in the U.K. on the day after Christmas, originated as a way for the rich to give their servants boxes of items to share with their families.
Boxing Day
Buddy the Elf finds his father working here in "Elf."
The Empire State Building
Eggnog originated in this country
England
These barnyard beasts kept time for a humble percussionist in the Christmas carol, “The Little Drummer Boy”.
Ox and Lamb
This beverage giant was the first company to use Santa Claus in an advertising campaign.
Coca-Cola
A witch drops presents down chimneys in this European country’s Christmas traditions.
Italy
There is an ongoing debate online about whether this action flick starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman is actually a Christmas film.
Die Hard
These are the foil-wrapped chocolate coins often eaten during Hanukkah.
Gelt
It may sound like a composition from the Middle Ages, but this classic Christmas hymn appeared in 1843 and made its debut in 1847.
O Holy Night
The wise men brought these three gifts for the baby Jesus, not the most useful items to give a newborn.
What are gold, frankincense, and myrrh?
The tradition of using a decorated tree as a symbol of Christmas began in this European country.
Germany
In the movie "A Christmas Story," Ralphie wants this specific gift for Christmas.
Red Ryder BB gun
These jelly-filled donuts are a sweet Hanukkah treat.
sufganiyot
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” features a Christmas song composed especially for the show, with lyrics written on the back on an envelope in ten minutes by the show’s producer.
Christmas Time is Here
St. Nicholas was born in this modern day country
Turkey