(Joyeux Noël) FRANCE ( V r o l i j k k er s t f ee s t ) T H E

( V r o l i j k
Père Noël is N E T H E R L A N D S
Kerstfeest)
accompanied by Sinterklaas rides a horse.
B E L G I U M
Père Fouettard, Dutch children leave their
Belgian children
who brings shoes out, filled with
believe that Saint
presents only to hay and sugar for his
Nicholas brings
good kids. horse. In the
them their
Children put their shoes by the morning they find
presents. They also believe he
fire place to get gifts. People their shoes filled
rides a horse so they leave hay
have dinner at midnight on with candy, nuts and gifts.
and carrots and water for the
December 24 (le Réveillon) When Sinterklaas appears to
horse just outside the house on
with a cake called La Bûche de children, he takes the form of
D e c e m b e r 6 .
N o ë l . their father or a male relative.
(Frohe Weihnachten)
G E R M A N Y (G lædel ig Jul ) DE NMARK ( G o d J u l ) S W E D E N
Children count the Danish people Most people in
days until Christmas c e l e b r a t e Scandinavian
with an Advent Christmas Eve countries honour St.
calendar. They also with a special Lucia on December
write letters to St. rice pudding in which 13. Traditionally, the
Nicholas asking for a single almond is eldest daughter in
p r e s e n t s ( D e c e m b e r 6 ) . hidden. Whoever each family gets up
Christmas Eve is the most finds the almond will early an d wak es
i m p o r t a n t t i m e o f t h e have good luck for the coming each of her family
Christmas season for families. year. Julemanden arrives in a members, dressed in a long,
Some even say it is a magical sleigh drawn by reindeer and a white gown with a red ribbon
night when animals can speak. sack over his back. He is and a crown made of twigs
The wonderful tradition of the assisted with his Yuletide chores with nine lighted candles.
Christmas tree, which started by Elves called Juul Nisse, who Jultomten, visits houses in the
in Germany, is the heart of the l i v e i n a t t i c s . afternoon on Christmas Eve.
c e l e b r a t i o n .
(C рождеством!) RUSSIA ( B u o n N a t a l e ) I T A L Y
(Feliz Navidad) SPAIN
F a m i l i e s
Italian people Spanish people
decorate a New
Year’s tree and exchange gifts on c e l e b r a t e
January 6, when Nochebuena
make Salad
the Wise Men or (Christmas Eve),
Ol i vier (diced
Magi reached and families
meat, veggies
baby Jesus. Italy gather together to
and potatoes all
slathered in has La Befana, who brings giftsshare a meal. Children leave
their shoes filled with straw
Mayo). Grandfather Frost f o r g o o d c h i l d r e n a n d
and barley for the camels of
(Дед Моро́з) delivers presents punishment for the bad ones.
the Wise Men who visit them
to good children, aided by The The nativity scene dates back to
o n J a n u a r y 6 .
Snow Maiden (Снегу́рочка).S a i n t F r a n c i s o f A s s i s i .
 (Merry Christmas) UK
The tradition of (Merry Christmas) CANADA /
hanging stockings by U . S . A . (Feliz Navi dad) MEXICO
They celebrate Christmas for
the chimney began
People decorate Christmas nine days with Las
here because Father
trees and hang Pastorelas.
C h r i s t m a s
People dress
accidentally dropped their stockings
as Mary and
some gold coins on by the fireplace
J o s e p h
his way down the because
walking from
chimney which got children believe that Santa
house to house asking if Mary
caught in a drying Claus will fill them with gifts.
may stay the night. Then, they
stocking. British children wait People also exchange cards and
are invited in for a party with
until the afternoon to open gifts and go carolling.
food, songs, and a Piñata filled
their gifts. Boxing Day is
with all kinds of sweets.
celebrated the day following
Christmas, when small gifts
were given to servants.

( 圣 诞 快 乐 ) C H I N A(メリークリスマス) JAPAN
(Merry Christmas)
Christian kids In Japan there is a
A U S T R A L I A
d ecor at e t heir god or priest known
Santa's sleigh is pulled by eight
houses with as Hoteiosho, who
white kangaroos. Christmas
beautiful paper closely resembles
dinner is eaten outdoors and is
lanterns. Many our Santa Claus. He
Chinese children is always pictured as
also han g a kind old man carrying a huge
stockings and wait for Santa pack. He is thought to have eyes
followed by a visit to the beach
Claus or Dun Che Lao Ren,in the back of his head. Children
or a game of cricket.
which means “Christmas Old must be good when this all-
M a n . ” seeing gentleman is abroad.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD QUIZ

1) In Belgium, who comes on December 6?

2) Christians in China call Santa Claus Dun Che Lao Ren, which means…

3) The first nativity scene was displayed in 1223 by St. Francis of Assisi in which country?

4) In Sweden, the Christmas season begins on December 13, the feast day of St. Lucia. On this

day it is traditional for the eldest daughter in every family to…

5) In which country is a Yule log-shaped cake called a "Bûche de Noël" traditionally served?

6) In China, what do people traditionally use to light their homes at Christmas?

7) Where do Santa's elves live in Denmark?

8) Who delivers presents in Russia?

9) In The Netherlands, what transport does Saint Nicholas traditionally use?

10) Which country originated the tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace?

11) At Christmas Mexican parents allow children to break a ………………

12) What animals pull Santa’s sleigh in Australia?

13) Where was developed the modern tradition of the Christmas tree?

14) When and where is Boxing Day celebrated?

15) Where is Father Christmas known as Père Noël?

16) When do Spanish children receive their gifts?

17) In what country do children receive gifts from La Befana, a kindly old witch?

18) Who accompanies Père Noël with a book in which each child's behavior is recorded?