What better way to impress family, friends, and colleagues at upcoming holiday parties than with these fun facts? From the history of kwanzaa to the size of this year’s Rockefeller Christmas tree, we did the research so you don’t have to. Read up and keep these facts handy for all the cocktail conversations in your future.
White Elephant
Also the name of a popular gift swap, the phrase “white elephant” refers to a valuable but burdensome possession. Many believe it came from the ancient Thai monarchy practice of giving elephants as gifts. Because it was illegal to work or sell a royal white elephant, by gifting his insubordinate subjects an elephant, the king often caused their financial demise.
Kwanzaa’s Beginnings
A positive outcome of social unrest, Kwanzaa was created by Maulana Karenga, Ph.D., a professor and chairman of African Studies at California State University, Long Beach, after the 1966 Watts Riots in L.A. Named after the Swahili word for fresh fruits, the holiday was intended to unify the African-American community and celebrate cultural heritage and family.
Big Apple, Big Tree
Carrying on the 82-year tradition, this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in Manhattan measures 76 feet and weighs 12 tons. The Norway spruce is illuminated by 45,000 multi-colored LED bulbs on over 5 miles of wiring, which could stretch from Alpine Meadows to Tahoe City, and topped with a 550-pound star.
Dreidel, Dreidel
Jewish folklore says the dreidel was a crucial part of the first Festival of Lights, but it was actually inspired by teetotum, an English and Irish top-spinning gambling game played by children in the 16th century. Though the game was originally associated with Christmas, as it gained popularity in Germany the Jewish population adopted the dreidel into its own celebrations.
Christmas Tree-at
Looking for a nutritious holiday snack? Evergreens like Douglas firs, the standard Christmas tree species, have several edible parts. Their needle tips are high in vitamin C, and the needles and bark provide immune and organ support. Visit livingwild.org/spring/douglas-fir for details and recipes from local forager, Alicia Funk.
Behind the Music
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas made its world debut with a live performance by Bing Crosby on Dec. 25, 1941. The song gained immediate popularity and became one of the most successful singles ever. It was only recently knocked out of its top-selling single ranking by Elton John’s Candle in the Wind release in 1997.
