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Christmas
Around the World: International Celebrations
by W.Holidays
animated
international greetings
Austria
Children are visited by "Santaklausen" and the
devil. After the children tell of their good deeds and bad deeds, the devil
prepares to strike them and Santaklausen hurries them away. The
children are then given fruit and candy.
Belgium
A procession with bands and cheering children
winds around the town, finally leading to a church. After services the
merriment is continued privately in each home.
Brazil
Presents are hidden throughout the house for
children to search for and shoes are left outside for "Papa Noel" to
fill with goodies.
Denmark
Children put milk or rice pudding in the attic
for the elves that live there.
England
Holly with prickly leaves is called "he" and the
non-prickly "she". Depending on which type of holly is first brought in
to the house at Christmas will determine who will rule the household
for the coming year.
Finland
Tulips, hyacinths, and poinsettias are given to
friends. During the festivities everyone drinks glögg, a warm
and fruity, spiced red wine.
France
Shoes are placed by the fireplace in hopes that
"Pere Noel" will fill them with gifts. If children have been naughty, Le
Pere Fouettard will punish them. On Christmas Eve, sidewalk cafes are
open all night serving "le reveillon'. This meal includes sausage,
baked ham, oysters, wine, and sweets (with variations from region to
region).
Germany
Germany has given us many of our traditions. The
Christmas tree is typically decorated by the mother, then brought out
on Christmas Eve to surprise the family. Germans love to cook and bake.
Cookies are made starting in November.
Greece
St. Basil is honored on the first day of January.
Gifts are given and silver coins are baked into a special cake called a
Vasilopeta.
Ireland
Christmas celebrations go from December 25th to January 6th ,the Feast of Epiphany. A
candle is left in the window where it burns all night to show lost
souls (Mary and Joseph) their way.
Italy
Christmas celebrations go from December 17th to January 6th. A fast is observed before
Christmas, then a meal of fish and seafood is served but no meat.
Latvia
Father Christmas brings gifts on each of the 12
days of Christmas.
Mexico
For nine days preceding Christmas posadas are
held. Children dress as Mary, Joseph, and angels who search
for an inn to stay. Each night the parade of children ends at a
different home. The homeowners open their home and there are
songs, story telling, food, fun, and piñatas.
Portugal
A favorite Christmas Eve dinner includes salted
dry cod-fish with boiled potatoes.
Russia
Christmas is not an official holiday but winter
celebrations include decorating trees. Grandfather Frost and Snow Girl
shake jingle bells on New Year's Day, when toys and cakes are given to
children.
Spain
Twelve nights after Christmas, children place
barley in their shoes and leave them in doorways. The barley
is for the Wise Men's camels. In the morning the barley is
gone and gifts fill the shoes.
Sweden
Children wait for "Jultomten", a gnome whose
sleigh is drawn by goats. The children never seem to notice the size
difference when someone dresses up and delivers the gifts.
United States
You can find numerous traditions in this "melting
pot". Many families incorporate several traditions. Santa Claus may
bring gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Wales
Christmas time brings songs, carols are sung in
contests as part of the celebrations. Christmas goose and
taffy-pulling are Welsh Christmas traditions. Holly is not
brought into the house prior to Christmas, as it is believed to bring
on quarreling.
Some information from Herbert H. Wernecke's
Christmas Customs Around the World.
modified April 5, 2008
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