Smart Source December Puzzle

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Across
  1. 1. A parasitic plant with white berries, hung from doorways as a Christmas decoration. People are expected to kiss when standing beneath it.
  2. 2. A device used to crack open the shells of nuts. Also, the name of a popular ballet set during Christmas, scored by Tchaikovsky, staged during the holiday season.
  3. 4. An incense symbolizing holiness.
  4. 5. A long, wooden sled used to coast down snow-covered hills
  5. 8. Mexican shrub was first used as a Christmas decoration by Franciscan friars in the 17th century.
  6. 9. A hot, spiced cider drink, traditionally served to poor carolers by their wealthy neighbors.
  7. 12. A festive song often sung at Christmas.
  8. 14. A half-goat, half-demon character of European folklore who punishes misbehaving children during Christmas.
  9. 17. “The Christmas season”; derived from Old French.
  10. 19. A drink made with milk or cream, sugar, eggs, and often distilled spirits
  11. 20. Cheerful and good-humored.
  12. 21. A pagan festival celebrating rebirth and renewal held on the Winter Solstice.
  13. 22. A four-sided top used by children to play a gambling game during Hanukkah.
  14. 23. A long sock, traditionally filled with small Christmas gifts.
  15. 24. Badly-behaved.
  16. 25. A circular arrangement of greenery or flowers.
  17. 26. Gloves with one opening for the thumb and another for the four fingers.
Down
  1. 1. An extraordinary and welcome event, unexplainable by scientific laws.
  2. 3. A small, decorative sphere hung from a Christmas tree.
  3. 6. A grouchy spoilsport who doesn’t enjoy Christmas.
  4. 7. Slender strips of shiny metallic foil or plastic used as Christmas decorations.
  5. 10. A Latin word meaning “coming;” the Christian season of expectant waiting and preparation beginning four Sundays before Christmas. Many people count down to the holiday with festive advent calendars made specifically for this purpose.
  6. 11. A region in Finland rumored to be where Santa Claus lives.
  7. 12. A hollow structure allowing smoke from an indoor fireplace to vent outside; also Santa Claus’s magical entryway into homes.
  8. 13. A cookie made with molasses and ginger.
  9. 15. Magical, pointy-eared creatures who build toys for well-behaved children at the behest of Santa
  10. 16. Day A British holiday celebrated the day after Christmas; traditionally when servants and tradespeople were given a “Christmas Box” by employers.
  11. 18. A sled typically pulled by horses or reindeer.