This Christmas tree is set atop a barge near the capital city of what US state? A Maine B Alaska C Washington Amalga Harbor is about 15 miles north of Juneau, Alaska, and is one of only a handful of coastal capital cities in the US. The correct answer is Alaska.
What is the traditional Festivus home decoration? A Aluminum pole B Bonsai tree C Penguin feathers A vertical aluminum pole, unadorned by ‘distracting’ tinsel, was Frank Costanza’s preferred home ornament for Festivus due to its ‘very high strength-to-weight ratio.’ Festivus originator and ‘Seinfeld’ writer Daniel O’Keefe’s real-life practice didn’t include a pole though. Instead, he … Read more
Which television show made this made-up holiday famous? A Night Court B WKRP in Cincinnati C Seinfeld We have ‘Seinfeld’ to thank for inspiring this unconventional celebration, which was introduced in a December 1997 episode called ‘The Strike.’ The show’s audience really latched on to the idea, and fans continue to celebrate Festivus every December … Read more
Which Festivus tradition do these Gentoo penguins appear to be participating in? A Feats of strength B Festivus caroling C Airing of grievances It appears that our penguin friend is airing some grievances into the Antarctic air. This tradition of Festivus is a way to tell other celebrants how they’ve disappointed you in the past … Read more
A stone’s throw from the Galeries Lafayette is the Palais Garnier. What is it? A Opera house B Former palace of Napoleon C Art museum The Palais Garnier is the original opera house of Paris, and the setting for the 1909 novel ‘Phantom of the Opera,’ which was famously turned into a musical. The Opéra … Read more
The Galeries Lafayette flagship store is located in the 9th arrondissement, in the Right Bank area of Paris, which means it is on the north side of what landmark? A Eiffel Tower B River Seine C Arc de Triomphe The names of the Right Bank, and corresponding Left Bank, indicate which side, or bank, of … Read more
This place is an institution in its city and a fixture during the Christmas season. Where are we? A Marienplatz, Munich B Wenceslas Square, Prague C Galeries Lafayette, Paris The Galeries Lafayette is more than a high-end department store in Paris. It’s a part of the city’s history and social fabric and a gathering place … Read more
On the winter solstice, Stonehenge is aligned to what? A The moon B The sunset C Midday Constructed about 5,000 years ago, Stonehenge and similar structures may have been of religious significance to the people who made them. Thousands of people still gather around Stonehenge every year on the summer and winter solstice. The correct … Read more
The word solstice has Latin origins, and means… A Sun watch B First sun C Sun standstill Solstice derives from the Latin term solstitium. Sol means ‘sun,’ and the past participle stem of ister means ‘to make stand.’ The sun appears to pause in the days surrounding the solstice. The correct answer is Sun standstill.
For winter solstice we’re in northern Italy with this photo of what atmospheric phenomenon? A Lens flare B Solstice borealis C Sun halo Sun halos, sometimes called solar halos, form at high altitudes when the sun’s light passes through ice crystals in the air. The halo can be white, rainbow colors, or even just a … Read more