Christmas Traditions
Some countries begin celebrating Christmas as early as the “BER” months. What month starts this season?
September
A purple rice dessert steamed in bamboo tubes, often served during the holidays.
Puto bumbong
This holiday song includes the line “I don’t want a lot for Christmas…”
All I Want for Christmas Is You
The jolly figure who delivers gifts on Christmas Eve.
Santa Claus
The town traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus.
Bethlehem
Homes covered in thousands of lights that attract visitors each holiday season.
Christmas light displays
Children sometimes leave their shoes by the door for gifts to be placed inside. What night is this tradition done?
December 5 (St. Nicholas Day)
A roasted bird commonly served for holiday dinners.
Goose
A popular holiday song performed in both English and Spanish.
Feliz Navidad
A respected elder who gives gifts to godchildren during the holidays.
Godparent (Ninong/Ninang)
The use of decorated Christmas trees began in this European region.
Germany
A popular family activity involving microphones and holiday singing.
Karaoke / Videoke
These festive paper tubes are pulled open during Christmas meals and contain small toys and paper crowns.
Christmas crackers
A custard dessert made from eggs and milk, commonly served on holiday tables.
Leche flan
A classic holiday song beginning with “Dashing through the snow…”
Jingle Bells
This character is known for his glowing red nose.
Rudolph
A massive annual holiday parade featuring floats and balloons.
Thanksgiving/holiday parade (Macy’s)
Colorful paper crowns worn during festive meals come from this holiday item.
Christmas crackers
This plant is often hung so couples can share a kiss underneath it.
Mistletoe
Twelve of these fruits are eaten at midnight for good luck.
Grapes
A beloved Christmas movie where a child is left home alone.
Home Alone
Kids hang these for Santa to fill with small gifts and treats.
Stockings
A Christmas broadcast delivered yearly by a monarch.
The Royal Christmas Message
A trend where people wear intentionally tacky clothing during the holidays.
Ugly Christmas sweater tradition
A series of nine early morning masses leading up to Christmas.
Simbang Gabi (Dawn Masses)
A striped red-and-white candy that’s a classic Christmas symbol.
Candy cane
A Christmas ballad famously sung by families during gatherings, with the line “In our hearts…”
Christmas in Our Hearts
Three wise figures who bring gifts on the night before January 6.
The Three Kings
A major lottery draw held every December, known as “The Fat One.”
El Gordo
This holiday beverage is often served warm and spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and citrus, and enjoyed at parties.
Mulled wine / spiced cider
A greeting meaning “Merry Christmas” in many Spanish-speaking places.
Feliz Navidad
These small, ginger-flavored cookies are often shaped like little people or stars.
Gingerbread cookies
Traditional Christmas songs in Spanish-speaking cultures are called __.
Villancicos
A tradition where people exchange gifts anonymously at school or work.
Secret Santa
Families gather for a midnight meal on December 24 known as __.
Noche Buena / Christmas Eve dinner
In Japan, it’s popular to eat this fast-food meal on Christmas Day, sometimes waiting in long lines for it.
KFC / fried chicken
Families build star-shaped lanterns to decorate homes and streets.
Parols (or Christmas lanterns)
This red-waxed cheese is a traditional holiday item often found on Filipino Christmas tables.
Queso de bola
This green character tries to steal Christmas from a cheerful town.
The Grinch
Santa keeps track of children using this important list.
Naughty or nice list
A holiday season that officially begins four Sundays before Christmas.
Advent
In a certain Nordic country, people hide all of these items on Christmas Eve so a mythical creature cannot steal them.
Brooms
This tradition reenacts the journey of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter.
Las Posadas
A soft candy made with almonds and honey that’s popular during December.
Turrón
A holiday movie where a magical train takes children to the North Pole.
The Polar Express
These magical helpers are often depicted making toys in Santa’s workshop.
Elves
The first commercial Christmas card was created in what year?
1843
In Australia, Christmas is often celebrated outdoors with this type of festive gathering.
Barbecue / beach picnic
Children often leave these sweet treats for Santa along with a drink in the U.S.
Cookies and milk
A sweet bread filled with nuts and dried fruit, often gifted during Christmas.
Stollen
A famous story about a man visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve.
A Christmas Carol
In some holiday traditions, a group of 13 mischievous visitors appear before Christmas to play tricks or leave small gifts.
Yule Lads
The first artificial Christmas trees were made from this material in the 19th century.
Goose feathers
In Venezuela, people roll down streets or go to early morning Mass using these as transportation.
Roller skates