Around the World on Christmas Eve
All the links found in the escape room
There are many traditional festive drinks. One popular drink is Eggnog. Eggnog started as Posset, a drink of curdled milk and wine. Monks added eggs to it to make an Egg Flip because they flipped it between two pitchers to mix it. Americans dubbed it Egg Nog where Nog is a strong ale.
Gingerbread began around 1500 BC in ancient Egypt. Honeycakes were found in the tombs of the pharaohs along with written references to small bits of spiced honeybread. According to myth, honey was a gift of the gods with the power to banish demons, to heal and to give life.
In Argentina, Alfajores are sandwich cookies with rich dulce de leche and coconut shavings or chocolate. They are enjoyed during Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter, and other religious and cultural celebrations. They are often exchanged as gifts among friends and family.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/187786/alfajores-argentinean-style/
Surfin' Santas are a quirky sight to see on many of Australia's famous beaches around Christmas time. In fact, the Guinness World Record for World's Largest Surf Lesson was broken in December 2015 at Bondi Beach, Sydney with 320 surfers all wearing Santa outfits!
Karavakia is the tradition of decorating boats during Christmas and dates back to Greece's ancient seafaring history. When sailors returned home safely, women and children would celebrate by decorating small boats in honor of their husbands, fathers, and brothers.
https://www.marinersmuseum.org/2020/12/the-greek-maritime-holiday-tradition-of-karavakia/
Winter illuminations around Christmas and New Year have become a popular attraction in cities across Japan. Among Japan's first and most spectacular light shows is Kobe's Luminarie, a light festival which was first held as a memorial to the victims of the Kobe earthquake in 1995.
Snowmen were first depicted in 7th Century China and have been used throughout history to make statements and rebellion. In North America, it is said that a settlement was wiped out when the gate guards set up two snowmen so they could sneak off to the pub.
Secret Santa is a Christmas tradition in which members of a group are randomly assigned a person to whom they give a gift. The identity of the gift-giver remains a secret until the end when Secret Santas are revealed.
In 1873, Louis Prang, known now as the “father of the American Christmas card”, started producing holiday cards out of his factory near Boston, Massachusetts. Prang was notable not only for this but because he was a vehement supporter of the arts and ensuring access to artwork to all.
https://www.pinterest.com/rosie605msn/vintage-christmas-cards/
St. Nicholas of Myra in present-day Turkey had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins or other presents in the shoes or boots of those who left them out for him on December 6. That day is now known as St. Nicholas Day.
https://mainecrimewriters.com/2016/12/08/christmas-customs-a-shoe-in/
The Legend of the Christmas Spider dates back centuries to a tale about a spider who, thankful for the warmth in the house provided by a poor family, spins beautiful Christmas decorations on the tree, saving Christmas and bringing good luck to the family.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legend_of_the_Christmas_Spider
Many Christmas traditions can be traced back to Germany including lighting candles, candy canes, gingerbread, and the controversial pickle that is credited to Germany but many have originated in the US.
https://raredirndl.com/blogs/inspiration-trends-recipes/christmas-traditions-germany-vs-america