Activity 1

1. What is your tradition called?

Christmas cards.

2. Describe your tradition.

My tradition is to send Christmas cards to family and true friends.

3. What is the origin of your tradition?

The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Britain in 1840

when the first 'Penny Post' public postal deliveries began. (Helped by
the new railway system, the public postal service was the 19th
century's communication revolution, just as email is for us today.) As
printing methods improved, Christmas cards were produced in large
numbers from about 1860. They became even more popular in Britain
when a card could be posted in an unsealed envelope for one half-
penny - half the price of an ordinary letter.

4. When is your tradition held?

In 1840.

5. Where is your tradition held?

In Britain.

6. What is the symbolism behind your tradition?

Traditionally, Christmas cards showed religious pictures - Mary, Joseph

and baby Jesus, or other parts of the Christmas story. Today, pictures
are often jokes, winter pictures, Father Christmas, or romantic scenes
of life in past times.

Activity 2
1. In India, what type of tree is decorated for Christmas?

A tropical tree.
 2. Russians celebrate Christmas eating kutya. What is it and what
does it symbolize?

It is made of wheat berries or other grains which symbolize hope and

inmortality, and honey and poppy seeds which ensure happiness,
success and untroubled rest.

3. Mexicans celebrate Christmas with posadas. What is a posada?

Children often perform the 'Posada' processions or Posadas. Posada is

Spanish for Inn or Lodging. There are nine Posadas. These celebrate
the part of the Christmas story where Joseph and Mary looked for a
room in an Inn. For the Posadas, the outside of houses are decorated
with evergreens, moss and paper lanterns.

4. In Rome, Italy, capitone is served on Christmas Eve. What is

capitone?

Capiton is a bif female eel, roasted, baked or fried.

5. In Venezuela people listen to aguinaldos. What are aguinaldos?

Aguinaldos is the money done when the children go home to home

singing traditional song of Christmas.

6. In Provence, France, people put santons in a crèche. What are

santons and what is a crèche?

Santons are small hand-painted, terracota nativity scene figurines

produced in the Provence region. Crèche is a type of figurate.

7. In Japan, people are visited by Hoteiosho. Who is he, and why

is he special?

Hoteiosho is an old japanese god.

8. In Greece people have to protect themselves from Killantzaroi.

What are Killantzaroi and how can you keep them away?

The Killanatzaroi are spirits who come out a day during Christmas. You
can keep them away sprinkling holy water around your home.

9. Germans call Christmas Eve Dickbauch. Why is Christmas Eve

called Dickbauch?

Because of the tradition that those who do not eat well on Christmas
Eve will be haunted by demons during the night. So the opportunity is
given to enjoy dishes such as suckling pig, "reisbrei" (a sweet
cinnamon), white sausage, macaroni salad, and many regional dishes.
 10. In China, a very important person is named Dun Che Lao Ren.
Who is it?

It is Santa Claus. “Dun Che Lao Ren” means “Christmas Old Man”.