Happy Non-Specific Semi-Festive Winter Gathering/References

References/Trivia

Cultural References

The story's title is a reference to the modern tendency to refer to Christmas-related events by the term "winter" to avoid explicitly mentioning Christmas.
Sherri, Terri, Janey and Database sing the chorus of the novelty song "Convoy" by C. W. McCall. When Superintendent Chalmers looks perturbed at the selection, Miss Hoover tells him it was either that or "Pac-Man Fever".
One of the items Milhouse wants for Christmas is an Easy-Bake Oven.
Peanuts: Martin plays a toy piano while Santa's Little Helper dances on it and Lisa leans on it and listens to the music, similar to Schroeder, Snoopy and Lucy.
A poster on the wall reads "Naughty List Hall of Fame" and has Bart's picture at the top. The poster is a reference to the lyric "He's making a list and checking it twice, he's gonna find out who's naughty or nice" from the song "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town".
Bart's "Toys for Tot" scheme is a reference to Toys for Tots, a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas.

Another poster reads "Springfield Elementary: We Have Nothing Left to Sue For!", a reference to the school's ongoing financial and legal woes.

"Convoy" is also sung in the advert for the Superstar Celebrity Microphone (and later by Homer as he demonstrates the toy) in the television episode "Radio Bart".