Author: Lisa Mungovan

A fisherman in Australia, thought he’d spotted a massive trout in the water. It turned out to be an oddly-colored platypus. The platypus had very light-brown fur, and a pink bill and feet. Because platypuses are the apex predator in the area’s rivers, the pink coloring won’t cause the animal any harm.

Scientists have discovered a new exoplanet, outside our Solar System. The planet, named PSR J2322-2650 b, has a unique helium-and-carbon atmosphere, might be full of diamonds, and orbits a type of neutron star called a pulsar. The star’s powerful gravity may have stretched the planet into its unusual lemon shape.

Everyone knows Santa’s sleigh, is pulled by reindeer. But did you know, that they’re all girls? Male reindeer shed their antlers in early December, so any reindeer that still have antlers on Christmas Eve, must be female. Of course, since they’re magical flying reindeer, I suppose it’s possible Santa’s crew doesn’t follow the rules.

Most of the time NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, is in charge of aerospace and maritime warning and control. But on Christmas Eve, NORAD tracks Santa Claus! They use radar, satellites, jet fighter escorts, and Santacams to get some pictures. Visit the noradsanta.org website to follow Santa’s travels around the world today!

Today is Eggnog Day. Also known as egg milk punch (which I think sounds kind of gross), eggnog is a drink made from milk, cream, sugar, spices and eggs. It’s also good in coffee! Sometimes it’s served spiked with liquor, so make sure you ask an adult, before you drink any!

In 1997, a character in the TV show Seinfeld, made up a holiday called Festivus, because he thought Christmas was too commercialized. The rest of us now celebrate Festivus. They have the Airing of Grievances during dinner, perform Feats of Strength by wrestling, and perform Festivus Miracles, like getting groceries into the house without tripping.

Have you ever eaten pfeffernüsse? It’s a German spice cookie made with molasses, spices and ground nuts and covered with powdered sugar. Today is the day to try one of these fluffy cookies because it’s Pfeffernüsse Day! If you also want to learn to spell it, don’t forget the silent P.

Today is Roots Day. You are the twigs, branching out from your family’s roots. Draw a picture of your family tree, label your parents and grandparents, and see how far back you can trace. Did any of your ancestors come from other countries? Visiting family at the holidays, is your chance to gather information.

Dave Purchase, also known as Mr Toast, runs the On Toast sandwich shop in England. He closed the restaurant for 2 days, in order to set a world record for the longest marathon singing Christmas songs. He sang 38 songs in a continuous loop, for 42 consecutive hours, occasionally joined by local choirs.

A Homeowners Association in Colorado, tried unsuccessfully to take down Santa. Dora Flores had erected a 28-foot-tall inflatable Santa, but the HOA said it was against regulations and told her to remove it. The neighborhood rallied in support of the towering decoration, until the HOA granted permission to keep Santa.