Songs of the Season
This classic song begins with “Dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh.”
What is “Jingle Bells”?
In How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch’s heart grows this many sizes on Christmas Day.
What is three sizes?
This white Arctic bear has black skin underneath its fur to help absorb heat.
What is a polar bear?
In Ireland, families put a bright candle in the window on Christmas Eve. It is meant to welcome these types of visitors.
Who are travelers or guests?
(You may also accept: Mary and Joseph, since the candle symbolizes welcoming them.)
This famous Christmas flower is red, but in nature, it actually starts out green before the leaves change color.
What is a poinsettia?
This winter song describes a scene where “the fire is so delightful,” even though “the weather outside is frightful.”
What is “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
In Frosty the Snowman, Frosty comes to life when the children place this on his head.
What is a magic hat?
This bird does not fly but survives winter by huddling together in large groups in Antarctica.
What is a penguin?
(You can accept emperor penguin.)
In Canada, many people celebrate Christmas by enjoying outdoor winter fun. A popular activity is going down snowy hills on these.
What are sleds?
This classic holiday drink was once called “milk punch” because it’s made with milk, eggs, and spices.
What is eggnog?
In this winter favorite, a magical snowman comes to life and says, “Catch me if you can!”
What is “Frosty the Snowman”?
In Home Alone, Kevin sets traps to stop two burglars whose nickname is this.
Who are the Wet Bandits?
This clever winter animal can hear small prey moving under the snow and jumps high into the air before diving nose-first to catch it.
What is the Arctic fox?
In Germany, children leave their shoes out on December 5th so this gift-giving figure can fill them with treats.
Who is St. Nicholas?
This sweet holiday treat was first made by bakers who used metal molds to shape them into stars, hearts, and animals.
What are gingerbread cookies?
This song features a character who avoids a “scary ghost story” because he's too busy stealing roast beef and pudding.
What is “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”?
In Elf, Buddy travels through this icy location to reach New York City.
What is the Candy Cane Forest and the Sea of Swirly Twirly Gumdrops?
(Or: What is the North Pole’s magical passage?)
This powerful swimmer can slow its heartbeat to survive long dives beneath the ice when hunting.
What is a seal?
(You may also accept harbor seal or Arctic seal.)
In the United Kingdom, families pull special paper tubes called crackers during Christmas. When they pop open, they usually contain a paper crown, a small toy, and one of these.
What is a joke?
This popular holiday tune became the first song ever played from space when astronauts performed it with a harmonica and bells.
What is “Jingle Bells”?
This classic tells the story of a child who catches Santa and describes him as “an awful lot like Daddy.”
What is “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”?
In A Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge a future where people are casually discussing the death of someone unloved, who turns out to be this person.
Who is Scrooge himself?
This Arctic animal survives extreme winters by entering a state called torpor, drastically slowing its metabolism, heart rate, and breathing, but unlike true hibernators, it can wake quickly if danger approaches.
What is the Arctic ground squirrel?
In India, many families celebrate Christmas by decorating their homes with these natural items instead of pine trees.
What are banana trees or mango leaves?
(You may accept either.)
This holiday decoration was once made from real silver strands, but today it’s made from shiny plastic because the original metal version was too expensive.
What is tinsel?