Then & Now: Christmas Edition
Christmas in the ’80s / ’90s
Holiday Foods That Travelled
Why Is This a Tradition?
Christmas
Potpourri
100

DAILY DOUBLE, This Italian Christmas bread became popular worldwide after Italian immigrants brought it with them.

What is panettone?

100

This plastic item stored most families’ Christmas movies.

What is a VHS tape?

100

This Italian bread became a Christmas staple in many countries.

What is panettone?

100

This decoration was originally used to bring greenery indoors during winter as a symbol of life.

What is a Christmas tree?

100

This phrase means something that happens once every year.

What is “annual”?

200

Then: you waited for these to arrive by mail. Now: they arrive by email or text.

What are Christmas cards?

200

DAILY DOUBLE, This Christmas custom traces back to a Roman winter festival celebrating the return of the sun.

What is decorating with lights (or candles)?

200

This German spiced cookie inspired gingerbread traditions worldwide.

What is lebkuchen?

200

People hang these by the fireplace because they were originally used to hold small gifts or coins.

What are stockings?

200

This red-and-white striped candy is shaped like a shepherd’s staff.

What is a candy cane?

300

Then: kids circled gifts in this printed book.

What is a catalog?

300

This toy topped many Christmas lists after a 1980s movie tie-in.

What is a BB gun?

300

Originally British, this dessert is now common on Christmas tables globally.

What is Christmas pudding?

300

These plants became associated with Christmas because they bloom in winter and were used in church décor.

What are poinsettias?

300

This actor voices the train conductor in The Polar Express.

Who is Tom Hanks?

400

Then: families gathered around this to watch Christmas specials at a set time.

What is a television?

400

Before streaming, families waited all year for these once-a-year TV events.

What are Christmas specials?

400

This French dessert shaped like a log is popular far beyond France.

What is bûche de Noël?

400

Christmas lights evolved from this earlier, far more dangerous tradition.

What are candles on trees?

400

This bird is traditionally cooked for Christmas dinner in the United Kingdom.

What is a turkey?

500

Then: this was how most people listened to Christmas music at home

What are vinyl records (or cassette tapes accepted)?

500

This department store Santa experience was a major childhood milestone.

What is a mall Santa?

500

This Mexican drink made with masa, milk, and cinnamon spread throughout Latin America at Christmas.

What is atole?

500

This holiday tradition began as a way to reuse leftovers and avoid waste after large meals.

What is eating Christmas leftovers (or Boxing Day meals)?

500

This word describes the fear of Christmas and holiday celebrations.

What is yulephobia?