Christmas Around the World
In this country, families commonly eat fried chicken from a famous fast-food chain as a Christmas tradition.
What is Japan?
In early European tradition, Saint Nicholas was the patron saint of this group, which explains why he was known for secretly leaving coins and gifts.
Who are children?
This American city is home to a world-famous department store whose holiday window displays attract millions each year.
What is New York City? (Macy’s)
In the 1965 stop-motion special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the character Hermey aspires to this profession instead of being a typical elf.
What is a dentist?
The song “Jingle Bells” was originally written for this holiday—not Christmas.
What is Thanksgiving?
Pulled during Christmas meals in the UK, these festive items trace their origins to Victorian England and contain a snap, a toy, and a joke.
What are Christmas crackers?
Before the red suit became standard, Santa Claus was often depicted in green, blue, or brown robes, reflecting this country’s artistic tradition.
What is the Netherlands (or early European depictions)?
Black Friday, the biggest shopping day in the United States, traditionally falls on the day after this American holiday.
What is Thanksgiving?
The Rankin/Bass 1974 special The Year Without a Santa Claus introduced these two comical characters who attempt to save Christmas in the North Pole.
Who are Heat Miser and Snow Miser?
This 1984 film blends Christmas, comedy, and horror—and famously warns, “Don’t feed them after midnight.”
What is Gremlins?
In this Nordic country, brooms are hidden on Christmas Eve to keep witches and evil spirits from stealing them.
What is Norway?
The poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” first named Santa’s reindeer and used this alternate spelling for the names of two of them, later standardized in modern versions.
What are “Dunder” and “Blixem”? (later Donder/Blitzen)
In Japan, this cake, often a sponge with strawberries and whipped cream, is considered a must-have item for Christmas celebration, despite Western-style gift-giving being less emphasized.
What is Christmas cake?
The original 1966 A Charlie Brown Christmas was nearly rejected by network executives because of its use of this unconventional element for a children’s special.
What is a jazz soundtrack? (by Vince Guaraldi)
This Christmas classic was colorized in 1986—against the wishes of its director.
What is It's a wonderful life?
In this region of Spain, children sing songs and strike a smiling log with sticks so it will “produce” gifts.
What is Catalonia?
In Italy, a witch named La Befana delivers gifts on Epiphany, a tradition that merged with Catholic tales of this figure.
Who is Saint Nicholas?
The term “Boxing Day,” now associated with post-Christmas sales, originated in this practice of giving gifts to these groups of people.
Who are servants or the poor?
In the 1977 TV special The Little Drummer Boy, the titular character’s musical companion is not a human child but this type of animal.
What is a donkey?
This modern Christmas movie was the first holiday film released exclusively on Netflix.
What is A Christmas Prince?
A Christmas tradition, in this country, involves unmarried women tossing a shoe to predict marriage, is practiced on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day.
What is the Czech Republic?
In some Scandinavian countries, Santa’s helpers are mischievous and resemble these mythical beings, blending pre-Christian folklore with Christmas traditions.
What are gnomes?
This German Christmas market tradition, which began in the 16th century, sells handcrafted gifts, ornaments, and seasonal treats, and heavily influenced holiday shopping in Europe.
What is the Weihnachtsmarkt?
In the 1964 Rankin/Bass special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, this narrator also voices the elf Hermey, and his character’s song about wanting to do something different became a hallmark of the special.
Who is Burl Ives?
The phrase “Die Hard is a Christmas movie” gained mainstream popularity after being debated on this 2000s-era internet forum.
What is Reddit?