Holiday History
The tradition of lighting a Christmas tree with candles date back to this modern-day country.
What is Germany?
In the 1989 comedy National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Clark Griswold plans to use his expected holiday to build on of these in his backyard.
What is a swimming pool?
Originating in 19th-century Germany, this calendar counts down the days until Christmas Eve with 24 little doors or windows containing gifts.
What is an Advent Calendar?
“Have yourself a merry little Christmas,/ Let your heart be…”
What is "light"?
This rich, creamy holiday beverage made with milk, cream, sugar, and whipped eggs is often garnished with ground nutmeg.
What is eggnog?
During this World War, enemy troops brokered an unofficial truce, swapped rations, and played soccer in No Man’s Land.
What is World War I?
In Miracle on 34th Street (1947), Kris Kringle proves he is the real Santa Claus in court when the U.S. Post Office delivers thousands of these to the Courthouse desk.
What are letters to Santa Claus?
Dating back to 16th-century Germany, families hang this leafy parasitic plant in doorways.
What is mistletoe?
“Dashing through the snow/ In a one-horse open sleigh/ O’er the fields we go, /…”
What is "laughing all the way"?
This tradition of baking these cookies originated in the 16th century when Queen Elizabeth ordered her chefs to bake cookies resembling visiting foreign dignitaries.
What are gingerbread men?
In 1939, President Franklin D Roosevelt moved this holiday up by one week to boost retail sales during the Great Depression.
What is Thanksgiving?
In the original 1990 film Home Alone, Kevin McCallister defends his house against the “Wet Bandits.”
Who are Harry and Marv?
In Greece, instead of decorating a tree, many coastal families follow an old maritime tradition od decorating these objects to honor Saint Nicholas.
What are boats?
“Just like the ones I used to know/ where the treetops glisten and children listen...”
What is “to hear sleigh bells in the snow”?
On New Year’s Eve in Spain, a widespread tradition eating 12 of these fruit items—one for each chime of the clock at midnight—to bring good luck for the coming year.
What are grapes?
In December 1913, this famous NYC luxury department store unveiled the first-ever animated holiday window display, featuring moving mechanical dolls.
What is Macy's?
Legendary horror icon Boris Karloff provided the deep, distinctive voice for the Narrator and the anti-hero in this 1966 animated television special.
What is How the Grinch Stole Christmas!?
In Iceland, tradition state that everyone must receive a new piece of clothing before Christmas Eve, or they will be eaten by this monstrous mythical feline.
What is the Yule Cat?
“It’s the most wonderful time of year/ With the kids jingle belling/ and everyone telling you…”
What is “Be of good cheer”?
This festive punch—whose name comes from the Old Norse term ves heill, meaning “be in good health”—traditionally features hot spiced ale, cider, or wine topped with roasted apples.
What is Wassail?
The song “Jingle Bells,” originally written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 under the title “One Horse Open Sleigh,” was originally composed for this autumn holiday.
What is Thanksgiving?
In the 1996 comedy Jingle All the Way, this toy was a wildly popular superhero action figure.
Who is Turbo-Man?
In Sweden, a massive 40-fppt version of this animal—made of straw and tied with red ribbons—is erected in the town square of Gävle every December, though arsonists try to burn it down.
What is the Yule Goat?
“I want a hippopotamus for Christmas/ Only a hippopotamus will do/ Don’t want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy/ I want a …”
What is “hippopotamus to play with and enjoy”?
A staple of traditional British and North American Christmas dinners, “Pigs in Blankets” in the UK refers to small sausages wrapped in this savory meat, instead of pastry dough.
What is bacon?