Christmas
Traditionally decorated and topped with a star or angel, this evergreen, along with the nativity scene, is a central symbol of Christmas celebration.
What is a Christmas tree?
This special candle holder, used during Hanukkah, holds nine candles instead of eight.
What is a menorah? (specifically a hanukkiah)
Yule celebrates this astronomical event, marking the longest night and shortest day of the year.
What is the Winter Solstice?
Kwanzaa is celebrated for this many days, from December 26 - January 1.
What is seven?
This square in New York City hosts the famous ball drop every New Year's Eve.
What is Time's Square?
This woman, honored as the mother of Jesus, is visited by the angel Gabriel in the Christmas story.
Who is Mary?
Hanukkah is celebrated for this many nights.
What is eight?
This large log was traditionally burned during Yule celebrations to bring warmth, protection, and good fortune.
What is the Yule log?
The candle holder used during Kwanzaa holds seven candles, each representing a core principle.
What is a kinara?
Many Americans watch this televised countdown as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve.
What is the countdown to midnight?
First published in 1823, this famous Christmas poem begins, "'Twas the night before Christmas...".
This miracle commemorated during Hanukkah involves a small amount of oil that lasted much longer than expected.
What is the miracle of the oil?
Evergreen plants like holly, ivy, and pine were used during Yule because they symbolized this quality.
What is eternal life or everlasting life?
These seven core principles of Kwanzaa are collectively known by this Swahili name.
What is Nguzo Saba?
Making these at the start of the year is a common tradition focused on self-improvement or change.
What are New Year's resolutions?
These visitors followed a star to find the newborn Jesus and brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
What are the Magi?
This spinning top game, traditionally played during Hanukkah, features Hebrew letters that stand for "A great miracle happened here."
What is a dreidel?
In Norse tradition, this god is closely associated with Yule, wisdom, and the Wild Hunt.
Who is Odin?
This principle of Kwanzaa, celebrated on December 27, emphasizes unity in family, community, and nation.
What is Umoja?
In the southern US, eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is believed to bring this for the coming year.
What is good luck or prosperity?
The first thing the angel said to the terrified shepherds of Bethlehem as they were notifying them of the birth of Jesus.
What is "Don’t be afraid, for I have come to bring you good news"/"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people"?
This group of Jewish rebels led the revolt against the Seleucid Empire and restored the Temple in Jerusalem.
Who are the Maccabees?
During Yule, the sun is often symbolized as being reborn or strengthened, representing this natural cycle.
What is the return of the sun, or the rebirth of the sun?
Created in 1966, Kwanzaa was founded by this African American scholar and activist.
Who is Maulana Karenga?
This annual parade, held every New Year's Day is Pasadena, CA, is famous for its elaborate floral floats.
What is the Rose Parade?
Many Christmas traditions, including the modern Christmas tree, spread internationally during the 19th century largely due to the influence of this British monarch and her German-born husband.
Who is Queen Victoria?
Hanukkah commemorates rededication of this holy site after it was desecrated in the 2nd century BCE.
What is the Second Temple in Jersusalem?
This ancient Germanic festival, later influencing Christmas traditions, gave Yule its name and lasted for several days.
What is Jól (or Jul)?
The Swahili term meaning "first fruits" gives Kwanzaa its name and reflects its roots in these traditional celebrations.
What are first harvest?
First celebrated in 1907, the Times Square New Year's Eve ball drop was originally created to mark the opening of this publication's new headquarters.