CHRISTMAS

LIBRARY
PROJECT
-Christmas Around The World-

CHRISTMAS IS
CELEBRATED IN
DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES AND
CULTURES

WELCOME
to the
Slide Show

Christmas in Argentina
In Argentina the weather is warm at Christmas. Preparations for
Christmas begin very early in December and even November. Many
people in Argentina are Catholic and they also celebrateAdvent.
House are beautifully decorated with lights and wreaths of green,
gold, red and white flowers. Red and white garlands are hung on the
doors of houses.Christmas Treesare also very popular and they are
often decorated by 8th December (the feast of the Immaculate Conception
- when Catholics celebrate when Mary was conceived). Some people like
to put cotton balls on the Christmas Tree to represent snow! Any tree
might be made into a Christmas Tree - not just the traditional fir tree!
TheNativity sceneor 'pesebre' is also an important Christmas
decoration in Argentina. The pesebre is put near to the Christmas tree.
The main Christmas meal is eaten during the evening of
Christmas Eve. It might be served in the garden or be a barbecue! Some
popular dishes include roasted turkey, roasted pork, stuffed tomatoes and
Christmas bread and puddings like 'Pan Dulce' and Panetone.

At midnight there will be the sound of lots of

fireworks! People also like to 'toast' the start of
Christmas day. Some people like to go to midnight
services, but other prefer to stay at home and let off
fireworks and then open their presents under the tree!
Another Christmas Eve night tradition are 'globos',
paper decorations with a light inside that float into the
sky (like Chinese Lanterns). The sky is filled with them
on Christmas Eve after midnight.
Some people stay awake all the night chatting and
seeing friends and family and then spend most of
Christmas Day sleeping! In Argentina the main
language spoken is Spanish (called castellano by
Argentines), so Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Feliz
Navidad'.

CHRISTMAS IN ARMENIA
The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January
6th. This day it also celebrates the 'Epiphany' (which means the
revelation that Jesus was God's son). Epiphany is now mainly the
time Churches remember the Visit of the of Wise Men to Jesus; but
some Churches, like the Armenian Apostolic Church, also celebrate
the Baptis
m of Jesus (when he started his adult ministry) on Epiphany.
Some Armenians fast (don't eat anything) in the week before
Christmas. The Christmas Eve meal is called khetum ' '. It
often includes dishes such as rice, fish, nevik ' ' (green chard
and chick peas) and yogurt/wheat soup called tanabur
''. Desserts includes dried fruits and nuts, including
rojik (whole shelled walnuts threaded on a string and encased in
grape jelly), bastukh (a paper-like dessert made of grape jelly,
cornstarch and flour). This lighter menu is designed to ease the
stomach off the week-long fast and prepare it for the rather more
substantial Christmas Day dinner. Children take presents of fruits,
nuts, and other candies to older relatives.

CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA
In Australia, Christmas comes in the middle of the summer holidays!
Children have their summer holidays from early to mid December to early
February, so some people might even be camping at Christmas!
Because it's so hot at Christmas time in Australia, there are quite
often massive bush fires across the country. Many volunteer bush fire
fighters are involved in saving people and property and travel from all over
Australia to help in other states.
Australians hang wreaths on their front doors and sometimes go out
Christmas carol singing on Christmas eve. People also decorate their houses
and gardens withChristmas Treesand Christmas lights. Neighbors
sometimes have little competitions as to who has got the best light display.
The neighbors often visit each other to look at the light displays at night.
Sometimes the displays are put out as early as December 1st. One street in
Sydney raises over $(AUS)35,000 every year for charity with their coordinated street display!
Australians also decorate their houses with bunches of 'Christmas
Bush', a native Australian tree with small green leaves and cream coloured
flowers. In summer the flowers turn a deep shiny red over a period of weeks
(generally by the week of Christmas in Sydney).

In each State capital city there is a largeCarolsby Candlelight service.

Famous Australian singers like The Wiggles, John Farnham, Anthony
Warlow, Colin Gery, Niki Webster and many more help to sing the carols.
These carol services, held in different cities, are broadcast on TV across
Australia. There are also huge Christmas pageants in each state capital city,
that are also broadcast across the country. Most towns and cities have
festivals and parades. In some places, there is a fireworks display at the local
park.
Many towns, cities and schools also hold their own Carols by
Candlelight services, with local bands and choirs sometimes helping to
perform the Christmas Carols and songs. As it is the middle of Summer in
Australia at Christmas time, the words to the Carols about snow and the
cold winter are sometimes changed to special Australian words! There are
also some original Australian Carols.
When he gets to Australia,Santagives the reindeer a rest and uses
kangaroos or 'six white boomers' (a popular Australian Christmas song!). He
also changes his clothes for less 'hot' ones!
OnBoxing Daymost people go and visit their friends and often have
barbecues at the beach. A famous Yacht race from Sydney to Hobart in
Tasmania is also held on Boxing Day.

The Flying Doctor Service has to work all thoughout Christmas. On Christmas Day the people who live
in the outback send Christmas greetings to each other
over the radio network.
Most families try to be home together for
Christmas and the main meal is eaten at lunch time.
Most people now have a cold Christmas dinner, or a
barbecue with seafood such as prawns and lobsters
along with the 'traditional english' food. On Christmas
Eve, fish-markets are often full of people queuing to
buy their fresh seafood for Christmas day.
Australians often haveChristmas Crackers at
Christmas meal times.Thank you to the students at
Georgiana Molloy Anglican School for their help in
giving me information on Christmas in Australia!

CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRIA
Austria shares many Christmas traditions with its
neighbourGermany, but also has many special Christmas
customs of its own.
DuringAdvent, many families will have an Advent
Wreath made from evergreen twigs and decorated with
ribbons and four candles. One each of the four Sunday in
Advent, a candle is lit and a carols or two might be sung!
Most towns will have a 'Christkindlmarkt'
(Christmas market) from late November, early December
selling Christmas decorations, food (like gingerbread) and
Glhwein (sweet, warm mulled wine). Cities like Vienna,
Innsbruck and Salzburg have huge markets and people
from all over the world to visit them.

Every town will also have a largeChristmas Treein the town square. In
homes, trees are decorated with gold and silver ornaments and stars made from
straw.
Christmas in Austria really starts around 4.00pm onChristmas Eve ('Heilige
Abend') when the tree is lit for the first time and people come to sing carols around
the tree. The most famous carol isSilent Night ('Stille Nacht') which was written
in Austria in 1818.
The national pop radio station 3 has special Christmas 'jingles' and plays
Christmas music from 4.00pm on 'Heilige Abend'. It's used by many people as the
'soundtrack' to the start of Christmas. This is the version of 'Stille Nacht' played on
3 in 2007.
Traditionally the Christmas tree is brought in and decorated on Christmas
Eve. Decorations include candles (now often electric and) and sparklers. For
children, other important decorations are sweets such as small liqueur-filled
chocolate bottles, chocolates of various kinds, jelly rings and 'Windbckerei'
(meringue, usually in the form of rings, stars, etc.).
Some children believed that the 'Christkind' decorates the tree. The
Christkind also brings presents to children on Christmas Eve and leaves them
under the tree. (The Christkind is described as a golden-haired baby, with wings,
who symbolizes the new born Christ.)
Some children might also get a present from St Nicholas on December
6th.The main Christmas meal is also eaten on Christmas Eve. It's often
'Gebackener Karpfen' (fried carp) as the main course, this is because Christmas
Eve was considered a 'fasting' day by many Catholics and no meat could be eaten.
However 'Weihnachtsgans' (roast goose) and roast turkey are becoming more
popular. Dessert can be chocolate and apricot cake 'Sachertorte' and Austrian
Christmas cookies 'Weihnachtsbaeckerei'.

Some 'really cool' people, or those who live in the mountains, might go
skiing on Christmas Day. Skiing on New Years Day is also popular.
Every year, Austria's capital city, Vienna, holds a world famous classical
music concert 'NeuJahrsKonzert' which takes place during the morning of
New Year's day. It's held in the 'Groer Saal' (large hall) of the Musikverein,
the concert hall of the Viennese Music Association. The concert is played by
the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and always features music from the
Strauss family: Johann Strauss I, Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss and
Eduard Strauss. It is famous for its waltz music. During the last piece played,
the The Blue Danube, the introduction is interrupted by applause from the
audience and the musicians then wish them a Happy New Year! The concert
is shown around the world on TV.
ForEpiphany, 6th January, Some people write a special sign in chalk
over their front door. It's a reminder of theWise Men that visited the baby
Jesus. It's made from the year split in two with initials of the names that are
sometimes given to 'the three wise men', Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, in
the middle. So 2014 would be: 20*C*M*B*14. The sign is meant to protect the
house for the coming year.
Another famous event that happens over the new year in Austria and
Germany is the Ski Jumping 'Four Hills Tournament'
('Vierschanzentournee'). It starts in Germany with Oberstdorf (Germany) on
the 29th or 30th December and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany) on New
Years Day and continues in Austria with Innsbruck (Austria) on 3rd or 4th of
January and Bischofshofen (Austria) on the 6th January. I'm a big Ski
Jumping fan, so I watch it (and I support the Austrians)!

CHRISTMAS IN
BELGIUM
In Belgium there are two main languages, Flemish and
Walloon (a version of French). The two languages are spoken
in different regions of the country.
In Flemish Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Vrolijk Kerstfeest'
and in Walloon 'djoyeus Noy'.
On Christmas Eve ('Kerstavond' in Flemish and 'le
rveillion de Nol' in Walloon), a special meal is eaten by most
families. It starts with a drink (apritif) and 'nibbles', followed
by a 'starter' course such as sea-food, and then stuffed turkey.
The dessert is 'Kerststronk' (Flemish) or 'la bche de Nol'
(Walloon) a chocolate Christmas Log made of sponge roll
layered with cream. The outside is covered with chocolate
butter cream and made to resemble a bark-covered log.
As inHolland, children in Belgium have two Christmas
visitors! On December 6th, St. Nicholas' Day, 'Sinterklaas/St.
Niklaas' (Flemish) or 'Saint Nicholas' (Walloon) is believed to
bring presents to children.

Children put their shoes in front of the fireplace, together some for
Sinterklaas like a drawing or biscuits; they might also leave a carrot for
Sinterklass's horse and something for Zwarte Piet (Black Peter, Sinterklass's
assistant). Then in the night, Sinterklaas arrives on the roof on his horse with
Zwarte Piet. Zwarte Piet climbs down the chimney and leaves the presents in and
around the shows. Sinterklaas has a book in which he keeps all the names of the
children and tells if they've been bad or good. Children are told that if they've been
bad, Zwarte Piet will put you in his sack and take you back to Spain! Traditional
foods that are left for Sinterklaas include tangerines, gingerbread, chocolate and
'mokjes' (cookies made in the shapes of letters. There are lots of songs that children
sing about Sinterklaas. Different regions of Belgium have different customs and
traditions about St. Nicholas.
Some people celebrateAdventand have Advent Wreaths/Crowns made
from fir or leylandii greenery. The wreaths have four candles and a candle is lit
each week counting down to Christmas. These are very popular in
Elementary/Primary Schools where an Advent song is sung when the candles are
lit. Lots of children also have paper Advent Calendars with chocolate behind the
doors for each day!
In the weeks before Christmas, people also like to go to Christmas Markets.
You might spot Santa Claus at the market! Poeple go to buy Christmas presents,
decorations and food. You can also drink jenever (gin) or Glhwein (hot wine) and
eat some Smoutebollen/oliebollen (deep fried sweet dumplings) are also very
popular. Going ice skating with friends is also something very common.

At Christmas parties at schools, it's common to buy a small

gift which can be for anyone. A game is played to give out the presents. A
very popular one is putting on some music and passing the parcel around
everyone sitting in a circle. When the music stops, the one who holds the
parcel, gets to keep the present. That's why the present should be
something that anyone would like!
Most people will have aChristmas Tree(real or fake!) decorated
with lights, baubles, garlands and a star on the top.
Next to the tree, many people will have a nativity scene.
Some people even have a life-size one in their gardens! In most villages,
there are big 'real' scenes next to the church with real animals (donkey,
sheep, ox) and non-stop choir music playing. Some people also decorate
the outside of their house with lights, or reindeer, or a Santa climbing up
the roof (that's very popular).
OnChristmas Eve, people normally celebrate with their close
family and keep it small and cosy. The main meal is eaten on Christmas
Eve. You might start the evening with small things like crisps, minipizzas, etc., or have a starter like soup. For the main course popular
dishes include game or seafood, but turkey or chicken are also popular.
But whatever you have, there's always some potato croquettes! Ice-cream
cake is a very popular dessert.

Small family Christmas presents are also given at Christmas too, where
they are put under the tree. They are opened on Christmas Eve. People also
like to listen to Christmas music on the radio. Some people also go a
Midnight Mass service
The traditional Christmas breakfast is the same as the normal Sunday
breakfast eaten throughout the year. This is freshly baked crusty rolls
(bakeries do their best trade on Sundays in the Flanders region) with butter
& cold meats and/or jam, followed by pastries (like Danish pastries) called
"koffiekoek(en)" (meaning coffee cake(s) as they are normal eaten with a cup
of coffee!). In Walloon districts (the south of Belgium), a special sweet bread
called 'cougnou' or 'cougnolle' made in a shape that is supposed to be like
baby Jesus is eaten for Christmas breakfast.
On Christmas day itself people visit friends or distant relatives. Movies
like Home Alone! and Disney films are always shown on the TV as is the
Phantom of the Opera. New Year's Eve and New Year are also very big
holidays in Belgium. Many families eat another large meal together and
sometimes have even more presents! At midnight people countdown to the
new year and give everybody 3 kisses and wish them the best for the coming
year. Having fireworks is also a very popular way to mark the new year.
Some people have parties that last until the next morning!
On New Year's Day, people often visit friends and family. Children (up to
about the age of 12) also read their 'New Years letters' for their
Mother/Godmother. The letters are written at school and are done in your
best handwriting and put in beautiful envelopes.

On the 6th of January, people celebrateEpiphanyand the three wise

men. Children dress up as the three wise men and go from door to door to
sing songs and people give them money or sweets, kind of like Trick or
Treating on Halloween. One of the songs goes:
3 koningen, 3 koningen
Geef mij een nieuwe hoed
Mijnen oude is versleten
Mijn moeder mag het niet weten
Mijn vader heeft het geld
Op de rooster geteld!
3 wise men,
give me a new hat,
my old one is worn,
my mother cannot know,
my father has counted the money
on the grid!
There is also a tradition (although it's not popular anymore) that
people would make a 'Three Wise Men Pie' or bread. A bean would be hidden
in the pie or bread. Whoever found the bean would be the king or queen for
the day!

CHRISTMAS IN BRAZIL
Many Brazilian Christmas traditions come from Portugal as Portugal
ruled Brazil for many years.Nativity Scenes, known as Prespio are very
popular. They are set-up in churches and homes all through December.
Christmas plays called Los Pastores (The Shepherds), like the
plays inMexicoare also popular. In the Brazilian versions of the play,
there's also traditionally a shepherdess and also a woman who tries to
steal the baby Jesus!
Most people, especially Catholics, will go to a Midnight Mass
service or Missa do Galo (Mass of the Roster). The mass normally finishes
about 1.00am. On Christmas day, people might go to church again, but this
time the services are often in the afternoon.
After the Missa do Gallo there are often big firework displays and
in big towns and cities there are big Christmas Tree shaped displays of
electric lights.
In Brazil,Santa Clausis called Papai Noel & Bom Velhinho (Good
Old Man). Many Christmas customs are similar to ones in theUSA orUK.

Sometimes children leave a sock near a window. If Papai

Noel finds your sock, he'll exchange it for a present!
Taking part in a 'Secret Santa', known as 'amigo secreto'
(secret friend) is popular in Brazil at Christmas. It is
traditional to give small gifts all through December
using a pretend name (apelidos). On Christmas Day,
people reveal who their amigo secreto was!
The most popular Christmas song in Brazil is 'Noite Feliz'
(Silent Night).
Favourite Christmas foods in Brazil include pork, turkey,
ham, rice, salad, pork and fresh and dried fruits, Brazil
nuts and Panettone.
Epiphany, when people remember the Wise Men visiting
Jesus, is widely celebrated in Brazil.

CHRISTMAS IN CHINA
In China, only about one percent of people are Christians, so
most people only know a few things about Christmas. Because of this,
Christmas is only often celebrated in the major cities. In these big cities
there areChristmas Trees lights and other decorations on the streets and
in department stores.Santa Claus is called 'Shen Dan Lao Ren' and has
grottos in shops like is Europe and America.
In Chinese Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Sheng Dan Kuai Le or
' in Mandarin and 'Seng Dan Fai Lok or ' in
Cantonese.
In China, Santa is known as 'Sheng dan lao ren' (Traditional:
, Simplified: ; means Old Christmas Man).
One a few people have a Christmas Tree (or celebrate
Christmas at all!). If people do have a tree it is normally a plastic one and
might be decorated with paper chains, paper flowers, and paper lanterns
(they might also call it a tree of light). The Christmas Trees that most
people would see would be in shopping malls! Christmas isn't that widely
celebrated in the rural areas of China, but it's becoming more well known.

The strange thing is that most of the world's

plastic Christmas Trees and Christmas decorations are
made in China, but the people making them might not know
what they are for!!!
A tradition that's becoming popular, on
Christmas Eve, is giving apples. Many stores have apples
wrapped up in colored paper for sale. People give apples on
Christmas Eve because in Chinese Christmas Eve is called
'Ping An Ye' (which means quiet or silent night) and the
word for apple in Chinese is 'Ping Guo' which sounds
similar.
Some people goCarolsinging, although not many
people understand them or know about the Christmas
Story. Jingle Bells is a popular Carol in China!
People who are Christians in China go to special
services. Going to Midnight Mass services has become very
popular.

CHRISTMAS IN EGYPT
In Egypt about 15% of people are Christians. They are the only part of
the population who really celebrate Christmas. Most Egyptian Christians
belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church and they have some very unique
traditions for Christmas.
Christmas Day isn't celebrated on the 25th December but on 7th
January (like inEthiopiaand by some Orthodox Christians
inRussiaandSerbia).
The Coptic month leading to Christmas is called Kiahk. People sing
special praise songs on Saturday nights before the Sunday Service.
For the 43 days before Christmas (Advent), from 25th November to 6th
January, Coptic Orthodox Christians have a special fast where they basically
eat a vegan diet. The don't eat anything containing products that come from
animals (including chicken, beef, milk and eggs). This is called 'The Holy
Nativity Fast'. But if people are too weak or ill to fast properly they can be
excused.
On Coptic Christmas Eve (6th January), Coptic Christians go to church
for a special liturgy or Service. The services normally start about 10.30pm but
some chapels will be open for people to pray from 10.00pm. Many people meet
up with their friends and families in the churches from 9.00pm onwards. The
services are normally finished shortly after midnight, but some go onto
4.00am!

When the Christmas service ends people go home to eat

the big Christmas meal. All the foods contain meat, eggs and
butter - all the yummy things they didn't during the Advent
fast! One popular course if 'Fata' a lamb soup which contains
bread, rice, garlic and boiled lamb meat.
On the Orthodox Christmas Day (7th) people come
together in homes for parties and festivities. People often take
'kahk' (special sweet biscuits) with them to give as gifts.
Even though not many in Egypt are Christians, a lot of
people in the country like to celebrate Christmas as a secular
holiday. Christmas is becoming very commercial and most
major supermarkets sellChristmas trees, Christmas food and
decorations. Hotels, parks and streets are decorated for
Christmas.
In Egypt,Santais called Baba Nol (meaning Father
Christmas). Children hope that he will climb through a window
and will leave some presents! They might leave some kahk out
for Baba Nol.

CHRISTMAS IN SPAIN
Most people in Spain go to Midnight Mass or 'La Misa Del Gallo' (The Mass of the
Rooster). It is called this because a rooster is supposed to have crowed the night that Jesus was
born.
Most families eat their main Christmas meal on Christmas Eve before the service.
The traditional Spanish Christmas dinner is 'Pavo Trufado de Navidad' which is Turkey stuffed
with truffles (the mushrooms, not the chocolate ones!) In Galicia (a region in north-west Spain,
surrounded by water) the most popular meal for Christmas Eve and for Christmas Day is
seafood. This can all kinds of different seafood, from shellfish and mollusks, to lobster and
small edible crabs.
After the midnight service, people walk through the streets carrying torches,
playing guitars and beating on tambourines and drums. One Spanish saying is 'Esta noche es
Noche-Buena, Y no Es noche de dormir' which means 'Tonight is the good night and it is not
meant for sleeping!'
A few different languages are spoken in different regions in Spain. In Spanish
Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Feliz Navidad'; in Catalan it's 'Bon Nadal'; and in Galician 'Bo
Nadal'.
December 28th is 'Da de los santos inocentes' or 'Day of the Innocent Saints' and
is very like April Fools Day in the UK and USA. People try to trick each other into believing
silly stories and jokes. Newspapers and TV stations also run silly stories. If you trick someone,
you can call them 'Inocente, inocente' which means 'innocent, innocent'. 28th December is
when people all over the world remember the babies that were killed on the orders ofKing
Herod when he was trying to kill the baby Jesus.

New Year's Eve is called 'Nochevieja' or 'The Old Night' in Spain

and one special tradition is that you eat 12 grapes with the 12 strokes of
the clock at Midnight! Each grape represents a month of the coming year,
so if you eat the twelve grapes, you are said to be lucky in the new year.
Apart from Christmas, there is another festival that is celebrated
in Spain that is about the Christmas Story. It is called Epiphany and is
celebrated on 6th January. This is the twelfth night after Christmas. In
Spanish, Epiphany is called 'Fiesta de Los tres Reyes Mages': in English
this means 'The festival of the three Magic Kings'. Epiphany celebrates
when theKings or Wise menbrought gifts to the baby Jesus.
Children have some presents on Christmas Day, but most are
opened at Epiphany. Some children believe that the Kings bring presents
to them at Epiphany. They write letters to the Kings onBoxing Day,
December 26th, asking for toys and presents. And on Epiphany Eve
(January 5th) they leave shoes on windowsills or balconies or under
theChristmas Treeto be filled with presents. Gifts are often left by
children for the Kings, a glass of Cognac for each King, a satsuma and
some walnuts. Sometimes a bucket of water is left for the camels that
bring the Kings! If the children have been bad, the Kings might leave
pieces of coal made out of sugar in the presents!

Some big towns and cities have Epiphany Parades with each King having a big
float that is shaped like a camel. Sometimes there are also real camels in the parade. The
Three Kings in the the Spanish Epiphany are:
Gaspar, who has brown hair and a brown beard (or no beard!) and wears a green
cloak and a gold crown with green jewels on it. He is the King of Sheba. Gaspar represents
the Frankincense brought to Jesus. Frankincense is sometimes used in worship in Churches
and showed that people worship Jesus.
Melchior, who has long white hair and a white beard and wears a gold cloak. He
is the King of Arabia. Melchior represents the Gold brought to Jesus. Gold is associated with
Kings and Christians believe that Jesus is the King of Kings.
Balthazar, who has black skin and a black beard (or no beard!) and wears a purple
cloak. He is the King of Tarse and Egypt. Balthazar represents the gift of Myrrh that was
brought to Jesus. Myrrh is a perfume that is put on dead bodies to make them smell nice and
showed that Jesus would suffer and die.
Christmas in the Basque Country
In the Basque country (which is a part of northern Spain and southern France),
on Christmas Eve, children's presents are delivered by a magical man called Olentzero. He's
a big, overweight man wearing a beret and smoking a pipe. He dresses like a Basque farmer.
Christmas in Catalonia
In the Catalonia province of Spain there's a Christmas character called 'Ti de
Nadal' (the Christmas log) or he's sometimes known as 'Caga tio' (the pooping log!). It's a
small hollow log propped up on two legs with a smiling face painted on one end. From the 8th
December (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception) Catalan families gives the log a few
morsels of food to 'eat' and a blanket to keep it warm. On Christmas Day or Christmas Eve,
the log then 'gives out' small gifts! People sing songs and hit the log with sticks to help its
'digestion' and the log drops sweets, nuts, and dried fruits. When garlic or an onion falls out
of the log, all of the treats are finished for the year.

Christmas in the Basque Country

In the Basque country (which is a part of northern Spain and
southern France), on Christmas Eve, children's presents are delivered by a
magical man called Olentzero. He's a big, overweight man wearing a beret and
smoking a pipe. He dresses like a Basque farmer.
Christmas in Catalonia
In the Catalonia province of Spain there's a Christmas character
called 'Ti de Nadal' (the Christmas log) or he's sometimes known as 'Caga tio'
(the pooping log!). It's a small hollow log propped up on two legs with a smiling
face painted on one end. From the 8th December (the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception) Catalan families gives the log a few morsels of food to 'eat' and a
blanket to keep it warm. On Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, the log then 'gives
out' small gifts! People sing songs and hit the log with sticks to help its
'digestion' and the log drops sweets, nuts, and dried fruits. When garlic or an
onion falls out of the log, all of the treats are finished for the year.
Nativity Scenes'Pesebres' are also popular in Catalonia (and all
throughout Spain!). Many towns also hold 'Pastorets' which are big
plays/presentations about the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus. They have lots
of music and readings from the Bible. You can find out more about Pastorets on
A special cake called 'Roscn' is eaten at Epiphany. Roscn means 'ring
shape roll'. It is very doughy and is bought from a bakery on Epiphany morning.
Roscn can be filled with cream or chocolate and contain a little gift

CHRISTMAS IN
FINLAND
Finnish people believe thatSanta Claus or Father Christmaslives in
the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi (or Lapland), north of the Arctic
Circle. People from all over the world send letters to Santa Claus in Finland.
There is a big tourist theme park called 'Christmas Land' in the north of
Finland, near to where they say that Father Christmas lives.
It means that Santa doesn't have far to travel on Christmas Eve to
deliver presents to people in Finland! If he doesn't get a chance to deliver the
present personally he will often leave them under theChristmas Tree.
In Finland, Santa might also be known as Joulupukki! (This really
means 'Christmas Goat' as it was traditional in Finland that there was a Yule
Goat who was scary and asked people for presents - and certainly didn't give any
out! Over time the goat became the gift giver and then Santa took over the gift
giving duties but the name of the Christmas Goat was still retained in Finland!)
Joulupukki rides with reindeer leaves gifts under the Christmas tree but if you
have been naughty you could end up with a bag of coal!
In Finnish Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Hyv Joulua'.Everyone tries to
be at home for Christmas, including fishermen who try to get their boats into the
harbour by December 21st, St. Thomas' Day

Animals are given their own Christmas in Finland, with

farmers sometimes hanging a sheaf of wheat on a tree to be eaten and pecked at
by the birds. Nuts and pieces of suet are also hung on trees in bags from the
branches.
Everyone cleans their houses ready for the three holy days of
Christmas - Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
On Christmas Eve, or the day before, Christmas trees are
bought from the local market or square. The seller expects you to bargain with
them on the price.
Christmas Eve is very special and the most important day
over Christmas. It's traditional to eat rice porridge and plum fruit juice for
breakfast. Then the tree is bought (if it hasn't been already) and is decorated.
At midday, the 'peace of Christmas' is broadcast on radio and TV by the City
Mayor of Turku (which is south Finland).
Because it gets dark very in most parts of Finland around
Christmas (about 3.00pm) it's now traditional to go cemeteries and visit the
graves of family members. Some cemeteries are enormous and police are on
duty to manage the traffic, but everyone must walk the last few yards to the
grave. Candles in hanging lanterns are left around the grave, often lots of many
family members go. The whole cemetery is alight with glowing lanterns shining
in the snow - a winter wonderland.
Other people like a sauna on Christmas Eve.

The main Christmas meal is eaten in the early evening.

Lutefish (salt fish) is the traditional starter, but is not so common
nowadays. The main meal is a leg of pork served with mashed potato
traditionally baked slowly in birch-bark boxes in the oven with
similarly cooked mashed swede. Casseroles containing different
vegetables including, rutabaga, carrot and potato are also common.
Cured salmon is very popular and some people also have turkey.
Desert is baked rice pudding/porridge eaten with spiced plum jam.
One almond is hidden in the pudding. Whoever find the almond will
be lucky for the next year.
After the meal, Joulupukki (Santa) might visit the house!
When he comes in with his sack he asks if any children are living
there. They reply very loudly! Next then asks if they have been good
all through the year. When they are given their presents the whole
family gathers to watch the fun of opening. After opening some
presents, it's time to go to bed.
Christmas Day is much quieter with families usually spending it quietly
at home. On Boxing Day people like to go out. Skiing is popular along
the flat terrain or skating if the lake or river has frozen.

CHRISTMAS IN
MALI
Mali is a mainly Muslim country, but Christmas is also an official public holiday.
In Mali, most Christmas celebrations take place in Churches, where people remember
the real meaning of Christmas, that Jesus came into the world as a baby.
The festivities begin on Christmas Eve with an all night service which includes
worship, preaching and items performed by different groups including children and
young people. The children memorize bible verses to recite on Christmas day at Church,
as do the women. At the Christmas Eve service, each language group gets up and sings a
song in their language.
There is often a baptismal service on the day after Christmas (Boxing Day),
although this is sometimes held in the week before Christmas. Baptismal Services are
special services where Christians make a public statement that they follow Jesus. This is
normally done by being totally immersed (dunked) in water.
Some people can spend over 30 hours in Church over the Christmas period!
After Christmas the women's group of the Church often goes around to different
courtyards (of houses) to greet people, sing and dance. The Church choir also does the
same. If they come to your yard it is customary to give a small gift of money to the group.
This is after Christmas Carol Singing!
Not many people give and receive presents at Christmas in Mali. It is only normally
done by rich families.
Thank you to Gordon and Cheryl Roedding from Bamako, Mali and Jo Bowman for
their help in giving me information on Christmas in Mali!

CHRISTMAS IN GREEZE
On Christmas Eve, children, especially boys, often go out singing
'kalanda' (carols) in the streets. They play drums and triangles as they sing.
Sometimes the will also carry model boats decorated with nuts which are painted
gold. Carrying a boat is a very old custom in the Greek Islands.
If the children sing well, they might be given money, nuts, sweets and
dried figs to eat.
Christmas Trees are becoming more popular in Greece, but they aren't
traditional. Instead most houses will have a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of
wire is suspended across the rim. A sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross
hangs from the wire. Some water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and
fresh. Once a day, someone, usually the mother of the family, dips the cross and basil
into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house.
This is believed to keep the 'Killantzaroi' (bad spirits) away. The
Killantzaroi are meant to appear only during the 12-day period from
Christmas to theEpiphany(January 6th). They are supposed to come from the
middle of the earth and get into people's house through the chimney! The
Killantzaroi do things like putting out fires and making milk go off. Having a fire
burning through the twelve days of Christmas is also meant to keep the Killantzaroi
away.
Every December, in Aristotelous Square in the city of Thessaloniki
(which is the second biggest city Greece) a huge Christmas Tree and three masted
sailing ship are put up. It's a popular tourist attraction.

Going to a Midnight Mass Service is very important for most Greeks. After
the service people can go home and end their Advent fast. The main Christmas meal
is often Lamb or pork, roasted in an oven or over an open spit. It's often served with a
spinach and cheese pie and various salads and vegetables. Other Christmas and new
year foods include 'Baklava' (a sweet pastry made of filo pastry filled with chopped
nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey), Kataifi (a pastry made from a special form
of shredded filo dough and flavored with nuts and cinnamon), Theeples (a kind of fried
pastry). Another popular Christmas dessert are melomakarono, egg or oblong shaped
biscuit/cakes made from flour, olive oil, and honey and rolled in chopped walnuts.
A traditional table decoration are loaves of 'christopsomo' (Christ bread). It's
a round sweet loaf and the crust is often decorated with what the family do for a living
(if you're a fisherman there would be fish, etc.).
In Greek Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Kala Christougenna'.In Greece,
presents are often brought to children by Aghios Vassilis / (Saint
Basil) on the 1st January.1st January, New Years Day, is St Vasilis's Day who is also
known as St Basil the Great.
People in Greece also celebrate Epiphany on the 6th January. In the Greek
Orthodox Church, Epiphany celebrates Jesus's baptism when he was a man. It's also
known as 'The Blessing of the Waters'. There are many events throughout the country
where young men dive into really cold lakes, rivers and the sea to try to be first to get
a cross which has been blessed by a priest and thrown into the water. Whoever gets
the cross first is meant to have good luck during the coming year. Epiphany festivals
also include blessings of boats & ships, music, dancing and lots of food.

CHRISTMAS IN SOUTH KOREA

There are more Christians in South Korea (the
Republic of Korea) than in other asian countries such
asChinaandJapan, so Christmas is celebrated more
widely. (Christians make up about 25-30% of the
population.) However, the other 70% of people in South
Korea are Buddhist (about 25%) or don't have a religion.
Unlike Japan, Christmas is an official public holiday
- so some people have the day of work and school (although
for some people it's just another working day or day at
school)! But they go back on the 26th (Boxing Day). There's
a longer official winter break in the New Year.
Churches are decorated with lights and many have a
bright red neon cross on top (all the year!) so that goes very
well with the Christmas lights! Most churches will have a
service on Christmas day. Going to Church for Christmas is
becoming more popular, even among non Christians.

Department stores put on big displays of decorations. There's

also an amazing display of lights in the capital city, Seoul. The lights
are all over the city centre including the bridges over the Han River.
Some people (especially Christians and westerns who live in South
Korea) will have decorations at home including aChristmas tree.
Presentsare exchanged and a popular present is money! Giving
actually gifts has become more popular, but giving money is still very
common. Santa Clauscan also be seen around Korea but he might be
wearing red or blue! He's also known as (santa kullosu) or
(Santa Grandfather).
A popular Christmas food is a Christmas Cake, but it's often a
sponge cake covered in cream brought from a local bakery! Or you
might even have an ice cream cake from a shop like 'Baskin Robbins'!
Happy/Merry Christmas in Korean is 'Meri krismas' (
) or 'Jeulgaeun krismas doeseyo' ( ).
Christians can say 'Sungtan chukhahaeyo' ( ) to celebrate
the birth of Jesus.
If you live in North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of
Korea) Christmas will be very different. Being a Christian is 'officially'
allowed but you can go to prison, or even be killed for being a Christian
or even having a Bible. Christians in North Korea have to meet in
secret and any celebrations of Christmas will also be held in secret.

CHRISTMAS IN HONG KONG

In Hong Kong, Chinese Christians celebrate Christmas with
Church services in Chinese. At the Anglican Cathedral, some services are
held in English, because Europeans who live and work in Hong Kong
attend them as well as people from Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, people also sendChristmas cards, many of which
are home made using Chinese craft techniques.
Poinsettias flowers andNativityscenes decorate homes, churches
and public places, as well as big red and gold letters from the Chinese
alphabet on decorated streamers and paper chains.
In Hong Kong,Father Christmas/Santa Claus, is known as "Sing
Daan Lou Yan" (Christmas Old Man) in Cantonese or "Sheng Dan Lo
Ren" in Mandarin. Most people in Hong Kong speak Caontonese and
would use "Sing Daan Lou Yan".
Every year in Hong Kong there is a 'Winterfest'. It's a huge winter
party that involves the shops, theme parks and other attractions in Hong
Kong. In 2008 Winterfest is from 28th November to the 4th January and
will include a giant Christmas tree in Statue Square, a sparkling castle at
Disneyland Hong Kong and a forest of 200 Christmas trees and an ice
skating extravaganza at Ocean Park!

CHRISTMAS IN LEBANON
In Lebanon, 35% of the population follow a form of Christianity
called Maronite Catholic. These Christians build manger scenes in their
homes called a Nativity Crib. The crib is more popular than a Christmas
Tree. It's traditional for the scene to be based around a cave rather than a
stable. It's often decorated with sprouted seeds such as chickpeas, broadbeans, lentils, oats and wheat that have been grown on damp cotton wool in
the weeks leading up to Christmas. The crib scene then becomes a focus for
the prayer of people in the house.
Other common Catholic traditions such as going to a midnight mass
service are also celebrated in Lebanon.
In the capital city, Beirut, big and glamourous Christmas parties
are held in major hotels and lots of people like going to them, even if they're
not Christian. Western-style commercial displays of poinsettias, Christmas
lights, holly and community Christmas trees are also becoming more
popular, although some people don't like as they think they are too
commercial.
When people visit each other houses over the Christmas period,
sugared almonds are often eaten with strong cups of coffee.
In Lebanon most people speak Arabic, so Happy/Merry Christmas
is Eid Milad Majid ( ) which means 'Glorious Birth Feast' or you
could say Kul 'am wa enta bi-khair which means 'may every year find you in
good health'. French is also spoken so you could wish people Joyeux Nol!
In Lebanon, Santa Claus/Father Christmas is known as Baba Nol.

CHRISTMAS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Because South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere,
Christmas comes in the summer. So there's lots of sun and
beautiful flowers in full bloom.
The schools are closed for the Christmas holidays and some
people like to go camping. Goingcarol singing, on Christmas Eve,
is very popular in towns and cities. Carols by Candlelight services
are also popular on Christmas Eve. And many people go to a
Christmas morning Church Service.
Traditional 'fir'Christmas treesare popular and children
leave a stocking out forSanta Clauson Christmas Eve.
The Christmas meal is either turkey (or duck), roast beef,
mince pies or suckling pig with yellow rice & raisins and
vegetables, followed by Christmas Pudding ora traditional South
African desert called Malva Pudding (sometimes also called Lekker
Pudding) - get the recipe. People also like to pull Christmas
Crackers! The meal is often eaten outside in the summer sun! If it's
really hot they might even have a barbecue or 'braai'.

South Africa also has several other UK

Christmas traditions, because of its history with
the UK.
On Christmas day afternoon, people visit
family and friends or might go for a trip into the
country side to play games or have a swim.
Boxing Dayis also a public holiday in
South Africa and again people like to be 'out and
about' having a good time!
In Afrikaans (one the languages spoken in
South Africa) Happy/Merry Christmas is
'Gesende Kersfees'.Santa Claus is also known as
Sinterklaas & Kersvader.

CHRISTMAS IN SWEDEN
Around Christmas time in Sweden, one of the biggest
celebrations is St. Lucia's Day (or St. Lucy's Day) on December 13th.
The celebration comes from stories that were told by Monks who first
brought Christianity to Sweden.
St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred, killed
for her faith, in 304AD. The most common story told about St Lucia
is that she would secretly bring food to the persecuted Christians in
Rome, who lived in hiding in the catacombs under the city. She would
wear candles on her head so she had both her hands free to carry
things. Lucy means 'light' so this is a very appropriate name.
December 13th was also the Winter Solstice, the shortest day
of the year, in theold 'Julian' Calendarand a pagan festival of lights
in Sweden was turned into St. Lucia's Day.
St. Lucia's Day is now celebrated by a girl dressing in a white
dress with a red sash round her waist and a crown of candles on her
head. Small children use electric candles but from about 12 years old,
real candles are used!

The crown is made of Lingonberry branches which are evergreen and

symbolise new life in winter. Schools normally have their own St. Lucia's and
some town and villages also choose a girl to play St. Lucia in a procession where
carols are sung.
A national Lucia is also chosen. Lucias also visit hospitals and old
people's homes singing a song about St Lucia and handing out 'Pepparkakor',
ginger snap biscuits.
Small children sometimes like dressing up as Lucia (with the help of their
parents!). Also boys might dress up as 'Stjrngossar' (star boys) and girls might
be 'trnor' (like Lucia but without the candles).
A popular food eaten at St. Lucia's day are 'Lussekatts', St Lucia's day
buns flavoured with saffron and dotted with raisins which are eaten for
breakfast.
St Lucia's Day first became widely celebrated in Sweden in the late
1700s. St Lucia's Day is also celebrated inDenmark,Norway,Finland, Bosnia,
and Croatia. In Denmark it is more a of a children's day and in some part of Italy,
children are told that St Lucy brings them presents. They leave out a sandwich
for her and the donkey that helps carry the gifts!
Christmas Eve is also very important in Sweden. This is when the main
meal (well really a feast!) is eaten.
This is often a 'julbord' which is a buffet, eaten at lunchtime. Cold fish is
important on the julbord. There is often herring (served in many different ways),
gravlax (salmon which has been cured in sugar, salt and dill) and smoked
salmon.

Other dishes on the julbord might include cold meats including

turkey, roast beef and 'julskinka' (a Christmas ham); cheeses,
liver pate, salads, pickles and different types of bread and
butter (or mayonnaise). There will also be warm savoury foods
including meatballs, 'prinskorv' (sausages), 'koldomar' (meat
stuffed cabbage rolls), jellied pigs' feet, lutfisk (a dried cod
served with a thick white sauce) and 'revbenspjll' (ovenroasted pork ribs). Vegetables such as potatoes and red cabbage
will also be served. Another potato dish is 'Janssons Frestelse'
(matchstick potatoes layered with cream, onion and anchovies
that is baked to a golden brown. There's also 'dopp i grytan'
which is bread that is dipped in the broth and juices that are
left over after boiling the ham.
The desert of the julbord might be a selection of sweet
pastries, some more pepparkakor biscuits and some home made
sweets!
Wow, I think I like the sound of a Jolbord! To wash all
that food down you can have some 'glogg' which is sweet mulled
wine and some coffee to finish off the meal!

Another popular food at Christmas in Sweden is 'risgrynsgrt' (rice porridge

that's eaten with 'hallonsylt' [raspberry jam] or sprinkled with some cinnamon). It's
often eaten during the evening after people have exchanged their presents.
If there is any risgrynsgrt left over, when it's cold it can be mixed with
whipped cream and eaten with a warm fruit sauce. This is called 'Ris a la malta' and
sounds rather yummy!
Presents are normally exchanged on Christmas Eve. People often go to
Church early on Christmas morning.
Another popular and important that many Swedes do on Christmas Eve
afternoon is to watch Donald Duck! Every year, since 1959, at 3.00pm on Christmas
Eve, the TV station TV1 shows the Disney special "From All of Us to All of You" or in
Swedish it's "Kalle Anka och hans vnner nskar God Jul" meaning "Donald Duck and
his friends wish you a Merry Christmas." About 40 to 50% of the Swedish population
stop to watch it!
Families sometimes have goats made of straw in the house to guard
theChristmas Tree! Straw is used as a decoration in homes, to remind them that
Jesus was born in a manger. Christmas Tree decorations that are made of straw are
also very popular. In the city of Gvle, a huge straw goat is built every year for the
start of Advent. It takes two days to put up!
In Sweden, presents might be brought by Santa called 'Jultomten' or by
gnomes/elves called 'Nissar' or 'Tomte'. They're called Nisse' in Norway.
The end of Christmas in Sweden is on January 13th (twenty days after
Christmas) which is called 'Tjugondag Knut' (Twentieth Day Knut) or 'Tjugondag jul'
(Twentieth Day Yule) and is named after a Danish prince called Canute Lavard. On
Tjugondag Knut it's traditional that the christmas Tree is taken down and and left
over cookies and sweets are eaten!

CHRISTMAS IN ZIMBABWE
For most people in Zimbabwe, Christmas day starts with a Church
service. After the Church service, everyone has a party in their homes and
people go from house to house, visiting all of their family and friends on
the way home! Sometimes, this can take all of the rest of the day! At every
house you have something to eat, exchange presents and enjoy the party!
A lot of people get their biggest stereo speakers out and put them out
side the front of the house and play their favourite music very loudly! It is
not only Christmas music that is played, but also the latest pop tunes and
old African favourites!
Everyone wears their best clothes for Christmas, as for some
families the only new clothes they get every year are for Christmas. The
parties are a good place to show off their new clothes.
Children in Zimbabwe believe thatSanta Clausbrings them there
presents early on Christmas Day, ready to show their friends at Church
and at the parties.
Only the main room in the house is often decorated in Zimbabwe.
Some Zimbabweans have a traditional 'European'Christmas Tree, but
they decorate the room with plants likeIvy. This is draped around the
whole of the top of room.

Christmas Carolsare sung during the

Christmas Day morning service and in services
leading up to Christmas. There are also sometimes
Carols by Candlelight Services in city parks.
The Christmas Cards that are used in
Zimbabwe sometimes have African pictures on them,
such as wild animals, but most are imported so they
have the traditional 'snow scenes' and pictures of the
Christmas story on them.
The special food eaten at Christmas in
Zimbabwe is Chicken with rice. Chicken is a very
expensive food in Zimbabwe and is a special treat for
Christmas. This is often eaten at the Christmas Day
parties.
Santa might sometimes arrive at big stores in a
Fire Engine. The streets in the big cities also can have
colorful Christmas lights

CHRISTMAS IN MALAYSIA
When someone mentions Christmas, snow, decorated pine trees, presents and of
course, Santa Claus comes to mind. Its close to impossible to have a white Christmas in
Malaysia but this doesnt mean that the celebrations are less festive, for Christmas is celebrated
the Malaysian way!
Many look forward to the Christmas decorations put up by the shopping malls. The
set up is certainly pretty with gigantic Christmas trees; some are even as tall as six storeys and
are heavily decked with baubles, candy canes and angels. The malls change their theme each
year and try to outdo each other, only to our benefit. One year, we had one mall scattered with
life-sized teddy bears in line with their Beary Christmas theme while another had real fake
snow falling, leading to an elderly man exclaiming, Wow, theres snow, theres snow!. We were
actually there the first time Pavilion KL started this snowwy tradition. Hundreds came to the
square in front of the mall, to see the snow coming down (it was actually a soap-like substance,
but nobody minded and everybody had a great time).
As Christmas approaches, dont be surprised to find the Christmas spirit in even the
non-Christians. Malaysians from all walks of life spend the Christmas holidays visiting their
friends with their families. At Christmas countdowns in selected locations, you can see people
enjoying the festive cheer and wishing each other happy holidays and Merry Christmas.
You can see people wearing the signature red cap of St Nicholas and grooving to the
beat of Christmas songs. There is even caroling in some malls and the audience are from
different walks of life and religion too. At the workplace, colleagues organize a secret Santa
event to exchange gifts, where every member of the team shares the spirit of giving, regardless
of status, age or race. Christmas is not exclusively for Christians here in Malaysia but its
celebrated by all in their own unique way without disrespecting their own religion.

Most Malaysians, celebrating or not, flock to the shopping malls

a typical Malaysian past time. There, they enjoy the activities and
events organized by the malls and even do some shopping, taking
advantage of the Christmas and Year End Sale. On the night of
Christmas eve, when the clock strikes twelve, various locations perform
firework displays to welcome Christmas with a bang. Malaysians flock to
these locations earlier during the day to get good spots to view the
magnificent displays of fireworks. As usual, you can find Malays, Indians,
Chinese and even foreign visitors enjoying the show together. In Malaysia,
you dont need to be a Christian to enjoy Christmas and have the holiday
spirit in you.
In Malaysia, Christmas is only celebrated on Christmas Eve. The
actual first day of Christmas is often business as usual for many
Malaysians. The lush decorations cannot be taken down soon enough
after Christmas, as then all the mall will repeat the same contest for the
nearing New Years Eve (which is immediately followed by Chinese New
Year preparations). The is no second day of Christmas, as this is only
custom in a few countries in the world. Many restaurants have special
Christmas Eve menus. This is your chance to eat out at a fancy
restaurant, as due to competition prices are often very low. Usually
western oriented restaurants also have a special Christmas menu for the
25th of December.

Many expats in KL take a few days of

holiday during Christmas, to travel to a nice
destination within Malaysia. Though it is quite
fun to spend Christmas at one of the islands of
Malaysia, for example at Langkawi or Penang,
the most popular place in Malaysia to visit
around Christmas is Cameron Highlands. The
highlands have a cold(er) climate, and the setting
is perfect to replicate that cold Christmas Eve.
Many hotels and resorts are fully booked during
Christmas, so make sure you book beforehand.
This goes especially for the more exclusive and
romantic places. Three very popular places to
stay overnight during Christmas areThe
Smokehouse Hotel***,The Lakehouse****
andCameron Highlands Resort*****.

THANK
YOU FOR
WATCHING