Happy Holidays! Starting with the first day of the month, right on through to the last day, there are a variety of happenings going on, including the winter solstice, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, just to name a few. There is also Saint Nicolas Day celebrated on Dec. 6 by many Western countries, and Bodhi Day, celebrated by Buddhists on Dec. 8, Boxing Day, celebrated in some countries on Dec. 26 as is the Day of Goodwill, which is celebrated in South Africa.
1. In what decade did Coca-Cola start using Santa Claus in advertisements?
2. The French word “Noël” is often used around Christmas, but what was its original meaning in Latin?
3. How many towns in America are named “Christmas”?
4. True or False: Santa Claus is based on a real person.
5. In total, how many gifts were given in the “Twelve Days of Christmas”?
6. What does the name “Hanukkah” translate to?
7. What is the name of the spinning top that children play with?
8. What is the name of the helper candle used to light the others?
9. In what year was Kwanzaa created?
10. What is the meaning of the name Kwanzaa, which is derived from a Swahili phrase?
Answers:
1. The 1920s
2. Birth
3. Two (Christmas, Michigan and Christmas, Florida)
4. True. The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas.
5. 364
6. Dedication
7. Dreidel
8. Shamash
9. 1966
10. First fruits or first harvest
