Researchable Holiday Trivia and Vocabulary
with a Graphic Organizer for Writing
by Margaret Whisnant
Copyright © 2010 Margaret Whisnant
www.takinggrades.com
All rights reserved by author.
Permission to copy for classroom use only.
Electronic distribution limited to classroom-protected classroom use only. Not for public display.
Cover Image © Graphics Factory.com
Copy;right©2010 Margaret Whisnant
1
December
in
Alphabetical Order
Part One
Use the clues, definitions, and your own research skills to identify the alphabetical list of mystery words and
phrases. Each one is connected to December weather, events, or holidays. Write the missing letters in the
blanks to the left.
a n __ __ __ __
1. Gladys Herdman portrayed an aggressive version of one of
these heavenly beings in Barbara Robinson’s The Best
Christmas Pageant Ever.
b a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 2. This is a popular indoor winter sport.
c r __ __ __ __ v __ __ _y
3. One of the seven principals of Kwanzaa (kuumba), this term
is linked to originality, imagination, and new ideas.
D __ __ __ __ __ r __
4. On December 25, 1776, General George Washington lead a
group of American soldiers across this icy river to make a
surprise attack on the Hessian forces camped in Trenton,
New Jersey.
e __ __ __ __ g
5. A drink consisting of milk or cream, sugar, and raw eggs
beaten together.
F __ o __ __ __
6. This famous snowman has both a song and a movie with his
name in the title.
g __ __ __ __ __ d
7. This word names a wreath or string of leaves, flowers,
branches, or other material displayed as decoration.
H __ __ __ __ __ y __
8. “Happy ________!” is an often-expressed December
greeting.
the i __ __ __ __ n __ __
9. In addition to retail stores, many people do their holiday
shopping here.
J __ __ __ __ __
B __ __ __ __
10. These two words name the song about how much fun it is to
go dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh.
K w __ __ __ __ __
11. The African-American cultural festival celebrated from
December 26 to January 1 is identified by this name.
L __ __ g __ __
12. The eight-day Jewish Holiday, Hanukkah, is also known as
the Festival of _______.
m i __ __ __ __ t __ __
13. When displayed as a Christmas decoration, this parasitic
shrub with leathery evergreen leaves and waxy white berries
encourages kissing.
The
14. This ballet by Peter Tchaikovsky tells the story of Christmas
N __ __ c __ __ __ __ __ __
toys that come to life.
Copyright © 2010 Margaret Whisnant
1
o r __ __ __ __ __ __ s
15. Christmas trees are loaded with these. Some people buy
special ones each year.
p a __ __ __ __ __ __ __
16. A lucky girl received one of these—with its own pear tree—
from her boyfriend on the first day of Christmas. Other gifts
followed.
q u __ __ __
17. In his poem A Visit from St. Nicholas, first published
December 23, 1823, Clement Clarke Moore describes St.
Nicholas as being “lively and _____.”
R __ d __ __ __ __
18. He is the one and only red-nosed reindeer.
S o __ __ __ __ __ __
19. In the Northern Hemisphere, December 21 or 22 marks the
first day of winter. This event is also known as the Winter
__________.
t r __ __ __ __ __ o __ __
20. The name given to customs, beliefs, legends, or practices
handed down from one generation to the next. Many of
them are celebrated during the month of December.
u n __ __ __
21. This word identified another of the seven principals of
Kwanzaa (umoja).
v __ __ __ t __ __ __
22. December celebrations usually include a few of these days.
w a s __ __ __ __ __ __ __
23. One of those “what-is-that?” terms that appears only during
the December holidays, this word from old England refers to
the toasts given in drinking to someone’s health or good
fortune during a festive occasion.
x e n __ __ __ __ __ __ __
24. This is the scientific term for “fear of strangers”—not a good
condition to have when you want to shop in holiday crowds.
y __ l __
25. In some cultures the _______ log is burned in the hearth as
part of traditional Christmas celebrations. In modern homes,
it is a popular DVD and the shape of holiday desserts.
z e __ __ __ __ __
26. This word, along with enthusiastic, eager, joyous, fervid, and
spirited, can be used to describe the attitude and behavior
exhibited by many people during the month of December.
Famous People with December Birthdays
T y __ __
B __ __ __ __
27. This super model and talk show host was born on December
4, 1973.
J __ __ __ __ __
S __ __ __ __ __
28. Her birthday is December 22, 1989. In 2007 she won the
American Idol competition.
K __ __ C a __ __ __ __
29. This American frontiersman, whose legend grew through the
publication of dime novels, was born December 24, 1809.
C l __ __ __
30. Founder of the American Red Cross, this nurse’s birth date
was December 25, 1821.
B a __ __ __ __
L __ __ __ __ C s __ __ __ __
31. A NFL Miami Dolphins fullback, he was born on Christmas
Day in 1946.
L o __ __ __ P a __ __ __ __ __ 32. Born December 27, 1822, this French chemist confirmed
that germs cause disease.
Ti __ __ __ W__ __ __ __
33. This PGA golfer came into the world December 30,1975.
Copy;right©2010 Margaret Whisnant
2
December
in
Alphabetical Order
Part Two
Use the clues, definitions, and your own research skills
to identify the alphabetical list of mystery words and phrases.
All are connected to December weather, events, or holidays.
Write the missing letters in the blanks to the left.
a c __ __ __ __ __ y
1.
During most of December, shopping malls, highways, and
the internet experience a lot of this.
B __
2.
Ralphie Parker, from A Christmas Story, wanted the Official
Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model
of one of these, but even Santa warned that he would shoot
his eye out.
C o __ __ __
3.
This is a reindeer’s name and a household cleaning product.
C h __ __ __ __ __
D __ __ __ __ __ __
4.
He is the author of A Christmas Carol (1843), Oliver Twist
(1837-1839), and many other classic tales. He was one of
the first authors to publish his work in journals (magazines)
in monthly installments. All of his novels are still in print.
E __ __ __ __ n __
5.
The first Christmas cards were printed, sold, and exchanged
in this country in 1843. Americans caught on to the idea in
1875.
f r __ __ __ __ __ __ __ s
6.
Sook, the eccentric little old lady in Truman Capote’s A
Christmas Memory, baked thirty-one of these heavily
spiced loaves for friends, relatives, strangers, and President
Roosevelt.
The G __ __ __ __ __
7.
This Dr. Seuss character stole Christmas and then gave it
back.
h __ __ __ y
8.
Foliage and berries from this plant are popular as Christmas
decoration.
i __ i __ __ __ __
9.
People who live in areas where cold temperatures are part of
December weather may see these hanging from porches,
branches, and power lines.
J a __ __
10. This mythical character represents the cold, freezing weather
of winter. He is said to leave the icy, crystal patterns on
windows on cold mornings.
g __ __
F __ __ __ __
K r __ __
K r __ __ __ __ __
11. He is the main character, who claims to be Santa Claus, in
Miracle on 34th Street
l u m __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 12. These small lanterns, made from paper bags, sand, and
votive candles, often line walkways and driveways during the
holidays. In the Southwest, they are also called farolitos.
Copy;right©2010 Margaret Whisnant
3
M a __ __ __ __ h __ __ __ __ __ __
13. On December 21, 1620, the pilgrims landed on the shores of
what later became this U.S. state.
N __ __ l
14. This term comes from an old French word that meant the
Christmas season. Its Latin ancestor means day of birth. It
is also a man’s first name.
O __ __ g __ __
15. In 2004, this state—followed by North Carolina—was the
nation’s leading producer of Christmas Trees.
p __ __ __ __ __ t t __ __
16. This flowering plant, a native of Mexico, reaches its peak of
popularity in December.
q u __ __ __ __
17. Looking for a way to describe a charming, vintage home
decorated for the holidays with old-fashioned ornaments,
toys, greenery, etc.? This word is an excellent choice.
S a __ __ __’ __
r __ __ __ __ __ __ __
18. Their names—Dascher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Comet,
Cupid, Doner, and Blitzen—were first revealed by Clement
C. Moore in his 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas.
E b __ __ __ __ __ __
19. Before he became acquainted with a few ghosts, his attitude
toward the idea of good will, generosity, and a positive
thinking was “Bah! Humbug!”
S __ __ __ __ __ __
t e __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ s 20. In most of the US, there is a definite drop in this during the
month of December.
U __ __ c __ __
21. Created by the United Nations on December 11, 1946, this
agency provides long-term humanitarian and economic
assistance to children and their mothers in developing
countries.
v i d __ __
22. These are popular gifts for children as well as many adults.
g __ __ __ s
w __ __ __ t __
23. It might be real or it could be artificial, but when you see
one of these decorating a door or a wall in December, it is
probably made of holly or branches from other evergreen
shrubs and trees.
X
24. You might need the services of one of these machines if
you are inept at steering a sled down a snowy slope.
__ __ y
y i __ __ __ __ !
25. This is an appropriate exclamation when the present you get
is exactly what you want.
z i __ __ __ __
26. Turquoise is the modern birthstone for December, but this is
the traditional December gemstone.
Famous People with December Birthdays
Oz __ __ O __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 27. This British musician and TV reality star celebrates his
birthday on December 3. His year of birth is 1948.
W a __ __
B r __ __
D __ __ __ __ __ 28. Born December 5, 1901, he created magic with a mouse
named Mickey.
P __ __ __
R __ __ __
S e __ __ __ __ __ __
29. This popular actor made his debut into the world on
December 18, 1964.
30. Now the host of American Idol, he was born Christmas
Eve, 1974.
Copy;right©2010 Margaret Whisnant
4
Alphabetical Order and Alphabetical Disorder
We deal with alphabetical order on a daily basis, whether we notice it or not—using the phone book, for
example. For our own sakes, some things simply must be alphabetized.
What if a few key things, like months of the year or the broadcasting of television programs, were suddenly
required to operate in alphabetical order? Would there be total disorder?
Use the form below to organize your thoughts about the subject. First, list three common things that are
alphabetized. In the box beneath, explain how this works for us. Then, think of three situations in which
alphabetizing would be ridiculous. In the box, enter your ideas about the results. Use your notes to write a
composition about Alphabetical Order and Alphabetical Disorder. Compose a final paragraph expressing your
conclusion(s).
Three common things that are alphabetized are _______________________, ______________________,
and _____________________________. Alphabetizing is important in these cases because. . .
It would be ridiculous to alphabetize _____________________________, _________________________,
and _______________________________________ because. . .
My conclusion(s) about alphabetical order. . .
Copy;right©2010 Margaret Whisnant
5
Answer Keys
1. angels
2. basketball
3. creativity
4. Delaware
5. eggnog
6. Frosty
7. garland
8. Holidays
9. the internet
10. Jingle Bells
11. Kwanzaa
12. Lights
13. mistletoe
14. the Nutcracker
15. ornaments
16. partridge
17. quick
18. Rudolph
19. Solstice
20. traditions
21. unity
22. vacation
23. wassailing
24. xenophobia
25. yule
26. zealous
27. Tyra Banks
28. Jordin Sparks
29. Kit Carson
30. Clara Barton
31. Larry Csonka
32. Louis Pasteur
33. Tiger Woods
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6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
activity
B B gun
Comet
Charles Dickens
England
fruitcakes
Grinch
holly
icicles
Jack Frost
Kris Kringle
luminaries
Massachusetts
Noel
Oregon
poinsettia
quaint
Santa’s reindeer
Ebenezer Scrooge
temperatures
UNICEF
video games
wreath
x ray
Yippee!
zircon
Ozzy Osbourne
Walt Disney
Brad Pitt
Ryan Seacrest