Christmas songs are a strong tradition. What is the most popular Christmas song of all time?
The Guinness Book of Records has named "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby as the best-selling Christmas song of all time.
What Christmas tradition involves a train and began with a book in 1985 and later a movie in 2004?
The Polar Express
What makes Christmas decorations in the midwest different from other parts of the United States?
The midwest is known for handmade and more natural Christmas decorations.
Christmas tree ornaments are popular gifts. Some families have a tradition of making ornaments every year. What's your favorite Christmas ornament?
Is it painted? Made with beads? Made with a photo? Crocheted? Cross-stitch?
In the 1980's, this piece of clothing became popular for Christmas parties.
Ugly Christmas Sweater
Every family has their favorite Christmas cookies, what was the first Christmas cookie?
Lebkuchen, originating in Germany around the 13th century, is considered the earliest example of a Christmas cookie.
What decorations does almost every American home have?
Christmas tree, lights, wreaths, garland, stockings, figurines
For some families, St. Nicholas puts treats in the children's shoes for them to find on St. Nicholas Day. When is St. Nicholas Day?
Bishop Nicholas was canonized a saint on December 6, 343 AD.
Even families without a fireplace hang stockings for Santa to fill Christmas Eve. How did this tradition start?
Legend has it St. Nicholas learned of a family with three daughters and no money for dowries, so he snuck in their home and put gold in their stockings.
Some families have a neighbor dress as Santa and come to the house with gifts. How did the modern Santa come to be?
Clement C. Moore is credited for creating the modern Santa Clause with the poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" in 1823.
More people travel for Christmas than any other holiday. Most everyone is traveling to see family, but a small percentage travel for what?
A family vacation!
What popular green Christmas character was created in 1957?
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
How was Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer created?
Montgomery Ward department store asked their copywriter to create a free coloring book for children in 1939.
What popular Christmas gift started as a paper weight, can be found as a music box, and has been featured in several Christmas movies?
snow globe
Children are told that when they are naughty, they get what in their stocking?
A lump of coal. This tradition dates back to the early 1800's.
Usually Santa leaves presents while everyone is sleeping. What do children leave for Santa?
Milk and cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer.
Watching Christmas movies on TV has been a family tradition. What are the first popular movies?
"A Charlie Brown Christmas, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "Frosty the Snowman", "Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town"
Churches and homes have been displaying this in various sizes and styles since first depicted in Italy as early as 380 AD.
Nativity Scene or Creche
The candy cane dates back to 1670 in Germany to represent a shepherd's crook and keep children quiet during Christmas Eve church services. How did it become popular in America?
As early as 1847, the candy cane was more than a treat and used to decorate Christmas trees.
While adults send Christmas cards, kids can write letters to Santa addressed to the North Pole. When did this start?
The first known use of the U.S. mail system for Santa letters dates back to 1871.
Oyster stew on Christmas Eve is a tradition for what American families?
The first English settlers brought this tradition, so many descendants of the Mayflower carry on this tradition.
What two paper Christmas decorations do young children love to make?
paper snowflakes and paper garland
Having your photo taken with Santa and being able to tell him what you want for Christmas is a popular tradition. Who was the original Santa Claus?
The story of Santa Claus can be traced back to Saint Nicholas, a bishop from Myra.
One family tradition is to receive a new game and play it. Some families have a Christmas game night. What's your favorite game?
new board games, charades, bingo, pass the parcel (hot potato)
Children look forward to waking up Christmas morning and drinking what?
Hot chocolate in a Santa cup!
Every family has their favorite traditional Christmas candy recipes. Can you name any?
Fudge, Peanut Brittle, Caramels, Divinity, English Toffee, Peppermint Bark, Red Cinnamon and Green Spearmint Hard Candy,
What is the Legend of the Poinsettia?
A story of a poor girl in Mexico who couldn't afford a gift for the Christ Child, offers a bouquet of weeds that miraculously blooms and later named poinsettia.
What popular creamy beverage can only be bought during the holiday season?
Eggnog
Trimming the tree is a family event. What is this?
Decorating the tree. The term comes from the Middle English verb “trimmen”, meaning to put things in order.
Why do a lot of kids get to stay up late on Christmas Eve?
Midnight church service.