Winter is cool...

Winter is cool...all around the world

by Gabriella Daubner

​Hanukkah

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For eight days each November or December, Jews light a special candle holder called a menorah. They do it to remember an ancient miracle in which one day’s worth of oil burned for eight days in the temple. During Hanukkah, many Jews also eat special potato pancakes called latkes, sing songs, and spin a top called a dreidel to win chocolate coins, nuts, or raisins.

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St. Nicholas Day

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A popular December holiday in many European countries, St. Nicholas Day, celebrates St. Nicholas of Myra, the man whose life inspired the tradition of Santa Claus and Father Christmas. He gave all of his money to the needy and was known for his compassion for children and all those in need. The holiday honors the man on the anniversary of his death, December 6, 343 A.D. Many celebrate with parades, feasts, gift giving, and festivals.

​Santa Lucia Day

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To honor this third-century saint on December 13, many girls in Sweden dress up as “Lucia brides” in long white gowns with red sashes, and a wreath of burning candles on their heads. They wake up their families by singing songs and bringing them coffee and twisted saffron buns called “Lucia cats.”

​Kwanzaa

​Kwanzaa, which means “First Fruits,” is based on ancient African harvest festivals and celebrates ideals such as family life and unity. During this spiritual holiday, celebrated from December 26 to January 1, millions of African Americans dress in special clothes, decorate their homes with fruits and vegetables, and light a candle holder called a kinara.

Poll

I would like to travel and see the world...

• Yes, that's one of my dearest wishes for the future.

• Yes, if I have the money and time.

• Maybe, but it is not so crucial for me.

• No, I don't like travelling...

​Polar Bear Plunge

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The Polar Bear Plunge in Maryland is an annual tradition held in January, where people jump into the ice cold Chesapeake Bay. The water is generally around 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and the participants wear regular swimwear. The event has grown to over 10,000 participants, all of whom must donate to charity in order to "plunge."

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Soaking in Yuzu-filled Baths

​Winter’s cold days and long nights require a bit of pampering. That’s why, in Japan, it’s common to draw steaming baths filled with yuzu, an aromatic, citrus fruit that’s something between a grapefruit and lemon. The fruit can be whole, halved, or placed within a cloth bag to slowly release its scent, which is believed to ward off colds and to ease both the body and the mind. This customary practice has taken place since at least the early 1700s and is tailored to the winter solstice, though many Japanese people practice the soothing ritual all season long. It’s also considered a good luck ritual for the coming year (so start filling up that tub!).

Multiple Choice

On polar bear plunge people go into the cold water in

• Dakota

• Montana

• Maryland

• Minnesota

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The Lohri Festival

​Although the Lohri Festival began in India’s Punjab state as a celebration of the annual harvest season, this ancient folklore-filled celebration is now prevalent across northern India, and places where large Punjabi communities reside. Typically held in mid-January, its festivities includes plenty of singing and dancing around a roaring bonfire, lots of vibrantly colorful attire, and loads of delicious eats, most notably sweets like gur rewri, a crispy sweet made with brown cane sugar and coated in sesame seeds, and the festival’s most prominent dish: sarson ka saag (mustard greens) served with a helping of unleavened makki di roti bread. Lohri also marks the beginning of longer days and is especially significant for new brides and babies who receive lots of gifts on the occasion.

Multiple Choice

Hanuka is a tradition in

• Iceland

• India

• Indonesia

• Israel

Multiple Choice

Lucia's cats are

• ghosts

• saffron buns

• black kittens

• unreal

Draw

Symbols of winter