DECEMBER AROUND THE WORLD
December 6 is St. Nicholas Day in many countries; this is his modern gift-giving counterpart.
Who is Santa Claus?
This Jewish holiday can begin in late November or December depending on the Hebrew calendar.
What is Hanukkah?
The author of A Christmas Carol.
Who is Charles Dickens?
These ice spikes hang from roofs
What are icicles?
“The Little Drummer Boy” features this rhythmic onomatopoeia.
What is “pa-rum-pa-pum-pum”?
December's name comes from a Latin word meaning this.
What is the number 10?
The winter solstice marks the shortest day in this hemisphere.
What is the Northern Hemisphere?
The name of Scrooge’s dead business partner.
Who is Jacob Marley?
A winter snowstorm with winds of 35 mph lasting for hours.
What is a blizzard?
Brenda Lee recorded this now-ubiquitous hit at just 13 years old.
What is “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”?
December 26 is a public holiday in many Commonwealth nations known by this name.
What is Boxing Day?
The menorah used during Hanukkah has this number of branches.
What is nine?
Frosty the Snowman comes to life after this is placed on his head.
What is an old silk hat?
This word refers to light, dry snow easily blown by the wind—good for skiing, tricky for driving.
What is powder?
“Jingle Bells” was originally written for this holiday, not Christmas.
What is Thanksgiving?
This country’s “Las Posadas” celebrations begin on December 16.
What is Mexico?
The Yule log tradition originates from this region’s pagan celebrations.
What is Scandinavia?
In The Grinch, he lives in this mountaintop locale.
What is Mount Crumpit?
Frozen rain that forms clear, glassy layers.
What is sleet?
“The Hallelujah Chorus” is part of this Handel oratorio.
What is Messiah?
In Japan, Christmas Eve is often celebrated with meals from this U.S. fast-food chain.
What is KFC?
This Kwanzaa principle means “unity.”
What is Umoja?
In It’s a Wonderful Life, this angel earns his wings.
Who is Clarence?
A “whiteout” often results from this visual phenomenon, when light scatters off snow in all directions.
What is diffuse reflection?
“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” was originally sung by this deep-voiced singer.
Who is Thurl Ravenscroft?