1. What is your tradition called?

Santa Claus.

2. Describe your tradition.

'Father Christmas' (or 'Santa Claus') has become the human face
of Christmas. Pictures will be seen everywhere of the old man
with long white beard, red coat, and bag of toys. Children are
taught that he brings them presents the night before Christmas
(or in some countries on December 6th - St. Nicholas' Day), and
many children up to the age of 7 or 8 really believe this is true. In
most countries, it is said that he lives near the North Pole, and
arrives through the sky on a sledge (snow-cart) pulled by
reindeer. He comes into houses down the chimney at midnight
and places presents for the children in socks or bags by their
beds or in front of the family Christmas tree.

3. What is the origin of your tradition?

Father Christmas is based on a real person, St. Nicholas, which

explains his other name 'Santa Claus' which comes from the
Dutch 'Sinterklaas'. Nicholas was a Christian leader from Myra (in
modern-day Turkey) in the 4th century AD.

4. When is your tradition held?

Nicholas was a Christian leader from Myra (in modern-day

Turkey) in the 4th century AD.

5. Where is your tradition held?

Today in the West, not many people consider the religious meaning to Christmas. Most
people in UK or Europe will not go to a religious church meeting, even at Christmas. It
has become a busy race to spend money on presents, and get ready for the Day. In UK,
our shops stay open till late Christmas Eve and often open again on Boxing Day with
the cut-price 'sales'. (Not much holiday for the poor shop workers!) A visitor from
another world would think that Christmas was a festival to the gods of money and
shopping.

6. What is the symbolism behind your tradition?

The happy.

Activity 2: Christmas around the world: Treasure hunt

1. In India, what type of tree is decorated for Christmas?
 Instead of having traditional Christmas Trees, a banana or mango tree is decorated.
Sometimes people use mango leaves to decorate their homes.

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

Some people fast (don't eat anything) on Christmas Eve, until the first star has
appeared in the sky. People then eat 'sochivo' (a dish made from wheat or rice with
honey and fruit). The Russian word for Christmas Eve 'sochelnik', comes from the
word 'sochivo'. People then go to the midnight services.

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

the 'Posada' processions or Posadas. 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?

On Christmas Eve, no food is eaten until after Midnight Mass. Then the main
Christmas meal is eaten. The meal includes Italian Christmas Cake called 'Panettone'
which is like a dry fruity sponge cake.

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

6. In Provence, France, people put santons in a crèche. What are santons and what is a crèche?

A França, bressol d'una Nativitat sovint s'utilitza per a ajudar a decorar la casa.
Francès bressols tenen figures d'argila a ells, no de fusta. Durant el mes de desembre,
algunes ciutats com Marsella han fires que venen Nativitat xifres.

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

8. In Greece people have to protect themselves from Killantzaroi. What are Killantzaroi and
how can you keep them away?

A la Nit de Nadal, els nens, especialment homes, que sovint surten Carol cantant en els
carrers. Que tenen els tambors i triangles que cantar. A vegades, el model també
portarà embarcacions decorades amb fruits secs pintats d'or. Portar un vaixell és una
vella costum a les illes gregues.

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

10.In China, a very important person is named Dun Che Lao Ren. Who is it?