Cheerful Customs
Gift-giving and parties during the Roman festival of Saturnalia greatly influenced the traditions of this later winter holiday.
What is Christmas?
This Christmas song about a reindeer who guides Santa's sleigh was first recorded by Gene Autry in 1949.
What is "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"?
The tradition of leaving a plate of what for Santa?
What are cookies?
This country is traditionally credited with starting the custom of using and decorating a Christmas tree.
What is Germany?
This candy is the most popular during the winter season.
What is a candy cane?
Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26th through January 1st and means "first fruits" in this African language.
What is Kwanzaa
The iconic song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" was sung by Thurl Ravenscroft, who was also the voice of this famous breakfast cereal mascot.
Who is Tony the Tiger?
Sufganiyot, a common Hanukkah treat, are deep-fried and filled with jelly, making them a type of what?
What is a donut?
Many ancient cultures celebrated the rebirth of the sun by lighting this large piece of wood and letting it slowly burn over the night.
What is the Yule Log?
The winter solstice tradition of burning a Yule Log often involves buying or baking a Bûche de Noël, which is this type of sweet shaped like a log.
What is cake?
This special candle holder is used during to hold the eight candles, plus an extra one used for lighting the others.
What is the Menorah (or Hanukkiah)?
This popular singer is often referred to as the "Queen of Christmas" for her 1994 hit song.
Who is Mariah Carey?
In Japan, a tradition started by a successful marketing campaign makes this bucket of American fast food a popular Christmas Eve meal.
What is KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)?
In parts of Europe, especially in Austria and Germany, this horned, beast-like figure punishes naughty children while St. Nicholas rewards the good ones.
What is Krampus?
During Kwanzaa, these seven items, typically three red, three green, and one black, must be purchased to place in the Kinara.
What are candles?
This Hindu festival, also a "Festival of Lights," involves decorating homes with earthen lamps and celebrating the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
What is Diwali?
This traditional Hanukkah song uses a small, spinning top toy as its central theme.
What is "I Have a Little Dreidel"?
Often featuring African spices and rice, this Southern dish is frequently served at Kwanzaa feasts.
What is Jambalaya (or Gumbo)?
This astronomical event happens around December 21st and marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
What is the Winter Solstice?
For the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, families often buy small, typically gold-colored, chocolate coins wrapped in foil known by this Yiddish name.
What are Gelt?
During Hanukkah, foods are often cooked in oil to commemorate the miracle of the oil that lasted for this many days.
What is eight?
This song was originally written in 1857 as a Thanksgiving song, but its title and theme made it perfect for Christmas, later becoming a huge hit for Bing Crosby.
What is Jingle Bells?
In Sweden, the Lucia procession girls serve these special saffron-flavored, 'S'-shaped sweet rolls to their family members.
What are lussekatter (or Lucia buns)?
This holiday is celebrated on December 13th in Scandinavia (especially Sweden) and honors a Christian saint known for bringing light and food.
What is St. Lucia's Day?
For the Hindu holiday of Diwali, families buy several dozen of these small, disposable, clay lamps that are filled with oil and lit on doorways and ledges.
What are Diyas?