CLASSE II E

Austria

FROLICHE WEIHNACHTEN!

In Austria, the Christmas season begins with Advent. During this time people decorate their houses and prepare different biscuits and breads, called "Früchtebrot". Many children have an advent calendar to count the days until Christmas. Each day they open a window, behind it there is a little surprise. During this period some children write a letter to "Baby Jesus" with their wishes for Christmas. The 5 or 6 December St Nicholas arrives, often accompanied by "Krampus" and brings gifts to good children. In and around Salzburg there is also the custom of the passage of "Perchten." A tradition in Austria are the Christmas markets. In Salzburg you can not forget the tradition of "Advent Singing" Adventsingen. "It is one of the most famous cultural events in the pre- Christmas period. The Christmas tree is decorated with straw stars and candles. The whole family gathers around the tree to exchange gifts.

Finland

Hyvaa joulua!

On Christmas Eve, the children spend their time watching from the windows, because they know that Santa does not be long in coming. He also lives in Finland, in an area called Lapland. Santa Claus lives with Mrs. Claus and lots of little helpers inside a mountain called Korvatunturi. This mountain has three ears so that Santa can listen to all messages that arrive from all over the world. The entrance to the mountain, however, is so secret that nobody knows where it is. His favorite reindeer is named Rudolph, it is very special because it has a red nose that glows. Before Christmas, Santa Claus has to read many letters and that's why there are so many elves to help him.

Germany

Froehliche Weihnachten !

Christmas preparations often begin on the eve of December 6th. People often set aside special evenings for baking spiced cakes and cookies, and making gifts and decorations. Little dolls of fruit are traditional Christmas toys. Children leave letters on their windowsills for Christkind, a winged figure dressed in white robes and a golden crown who distributes gifts. Sometimes the letters are decorated with glue and sprinkled with sugar to make them sparkle. Germans make beautiful gingerbread houses and cookies. The German Christmas tree pastry, Christbaumgeback, is a white dough that can be molded into shapes and baked for tree decorations. In Germany boys dress up as kings and carry a star round the village, singing carols.

Great Britain

Merry Christmas!

On Christmas Eve children hang up their stockings on the ends of the beds or by the chimney so that when Father Christmas comes he can leave them something and to thank him they leave a glass of milk and a piece of cake for him and a carrot for his reindeer. On Christmas morning the family traditionally opens their presents and prepares for a big feast which typically is served just after midday. The table gleams with the best china and glassware, and at every place on the table there is a cracker. The meal begins with a toast, followed by the popping of the crackers. After the meal they sit down in front of the Television for the traditional Christmas speech of the British Monarch.

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THE NETHERLANDS

Vrolijk Kerstfeest !

Throughout the month of December in the Netherlands there is an air of celebration. St. Nicholas has just passed and already people hasten to decorate the houses for the Christmas holidays with Christmas trees, wreaths and countless candles.Even the avenues and shopping streets are decorated and the lights, Santas and Christmas songs create a magic atmosfera. Many Dutch people prepare something special for this occasion. There is a real traditional dish that all the Dutch cook at Christmas, but chicken and turkeydishes are most popular. Almond cakes, and "stollen" bread filled with raisins,almond paste and currants are typical desserts. A visit to one of the traditional markets is also an opportunity to taste hot sausages and mulled wine.

POLAND

Sarbatori Vesele!

Christmas Eve, Wigilia, is an important part of the Polish Christmas, in fact, the most important rituals are celebrated on this day. A traditional food found in Poland is Oplatek which is a piece of bread pressed with a holy picture on the surface. Oplatek is more symbolic than real food. They celebrate with at least 12 different vegetarian dishes like: mushroom soup, carp, cabbage with pea, stuffed dumplings, and shells macaroni with poppy "makielki". In some homes - some hay is put under the tablecloth (it is connected with Christ's manger). People once carried these oplatek from house to house and wish their neighbors a Merry Christmas. Nowadays, the bread is mostly shared with members of the family and immediate neighbors. As each person shares the bread, they would have to do two things: forgive any hurts that have occurred over the past year and to wish the person all the happiness in the coming year.

Hungary

Boldog Karácsonyt!

Similarly to other European countries, Hungarian people use decorating their homes with the Christmas tree, but only on Christmas Eve and not before.Other decorations are candies, usually chocolate, oval-shaped, wrapped in shiny paper.Children receive their gift not from Santa Claus, but from the baby Jesus under the tree on the same evening. At midnight they go to mass.

Mexico

Feliz Navidad!

Mexicans share many traditions with the Spanish. Their main Christmas celebration is called La Posada, which is a religious procession that reenacts the search for shelter by Joseph and Mary before the birth of Jesus. During the procession, the celebrants go from house to house carrying the images of Mary and Joseph looking for shelter. The Mexican children receive gifts. On Christmas day they are blindfolded and taken to try and break a decorated clay piñata that dangles and swings at the end of a rope. Once the piñata has been broken, the children clamber to recover the candy that was inside the piñata. Those children who have been good also on January 6th receive a gift from the Three Wise Men.

Argentina

Feliz Navidad! Although Argentina is to the other end of the world, we can say that Christmas is celebrated as in Italy. The only difference is that in Argentina in December is high summer. The most important day is December 24.The whole family usually eats the 'asado, grilled meat. Then they toast with a cake and champagne. Of course, the homes are decorated with the 'Christmas tree, a tree made of plastic. Until a few years ago the Three Kings in January brought the gifts and the children left a shoe out of the door and a bit 'of water and of the' grass for the camels. In recent years, they have the tradition of exchanging gifts at Christmas.

Sveden

God Jul!

During the Christmas season, houses are festooned with decorations made of straw, especially with red flowers, but also pink, white or light blue, sweets and spices that are then hung up. Children use the calendar of 'advent to count the days until Christmas and every day they open a window. the 'tree decorates the day before Christmas. On Christmas Eve you eat a soup of rice, meatballs and sausage. After dinner, usually we meet around the 'tree to sing. Only then comes Santa Claus. During the Christmas season in Sweden there is a 'good party that the other is deeply felt: Saint Lucia. This festival is celebrated on December 13 when it's solstice 'winter. Usually in a family is the eldest daughter who dresses like Saint Lucia, that is, with a white robe, a red sash and a crown with candles lit and carries a tray of pastries and offers them to the whole family.

Spain

Feliz Navidad!

In Barcelona it is customary to December 28 to someone making jokes. If they exchange gifts on January 6 when arrive "Los Reyes", ie the Magi, which of course do you arrive at the best with what you Chaima "the ride de los reyes" there are several in all cities in Spain, in Barcelona there are very different even if it makes them more from the sea only to end the Park of the Citadel. On that day parade so beautiful floats with the wise men who distribute candy on pulling off the wagon, all waiting for them to parade and follow them picking their way behind the candy of all kinds. Now even Santa Claus begins with consumerism to bring some presents on Christmas Eve, however, essentially all takes place on January 6.

Canada

Merry Christmas!

In Canada people decorate the house with Christmas decorations like wreaths of laurel, with colored lights and the 'Christmas tree. The week before Christmas children write their letters to Santa Claus to tell him what presents they want to receive. Children also hang stockings so that Santa Claus can fill them with candy and chocolates. In some countries there is still a tradition for the children going from house to house singing Christmas songs. In return they receive some money, or candy or something warm to drink. The traditional Christmas dinner consists of turkey stuffed with vegetables potatoes and cranberry sauce. Some families use cooking 'roast duck.

South America Feliz Natal!

The dominant themes in the religious festivities of Christmas are strongly influenced by the Catholic religion. There is a mixture of local and European traditions. These traditions include El Niño Jesus, or "Christ Child", who brings gifts to children in Colombia, in Chile is alive the tradition of Pasquero Viejo or "Old Man Christmas", whereas the Brazilian tradition of Papai Noel is very similar to that Santa Claus. In South America the traditions connected with the "Saints" are most popular because they give people a sense of lightheartedness in anticipation of Christmas.

Africa Geseënde Kersfees! The Christian celebration of Christmas in Africa is a meeting with all members of the village, or an opportunity to visit relatives who are in remote villages.Africans prefer to spend Christmas doing a festival in every village to the sound of drums and in some area such as Kenya there are also Christmas trees, decorated with colourful flowers. In some parts of Africa, such as South Africa, Christmas is in summer and South Africans spend this feast on the beach.

Australia Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Australia is in the middle of summer. Decorations include Christmas bush and Christmas bells. Santa wears a swimsuit and arrives at Aussie beaches on a surfboard. A traditional meal includes a turkey dinner, with ham, and pork. A flaming Christmas plum pudding is added for dessert. Another treat is Mince Pies. Some Australians and particularly tourists often have their Christmas dinner at midday on a local beach, Bondi Beach in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs attracts thousands of people on Christmas Day. Other families enjoy their day by having a picnic. If they are at home, they spend this day by swimming in a pool, playing Cricket out the backyard, and doing other outdoor activities.

Greece

Kala Christouyenna!

Christmas is celebrated in Greece on December 25 to celebrated the birth of Jesus and a few days later there is another important festival which is the baptism of Jesus, so Christmas holidays in Greece begin December 24 and end on January 8.On Christmas Eve children get up early and begin to move from house to house singing kalandas and waving their trigona. People give them a pastry called Kourabiédes or dried fruit. On Christmas Day the family gets together for a common meal where there are all the traditional specialities, such as Galopoula, baked potatoes, the Gourounopoulo Psito and Melomacarona. Greek people don’t exchange gifts.

France

Joyeux Noël!

Christmas in France is celebrated in different ways depending on location and region.The feast of St. Martin marks the beginning of the long Christmas holiday period. On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Père Noël. In the morning they also find that sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys have been hung on the tree. A traditional cake is the Buche de Noël.

Japan

Shinnen omedeto!

Only 1 per cent of Japanese people believe in Christ. Even so, most Japanese people decorate their stores and homes with evergreens during Christmas. They enjoy giving each other gifts, and this is the part they celebrate. They have a Buddhist monk called Hotei-osho who acts like Santa Claus. He brings presents to each house and leaves them for the children. Some think he has eyes in the back of his head, so children try to behave like he is nearby. Among the Christian Japanese Christmas is not a day for the family. They do not have turkey or plum pudding, rather than the spend the day doing nice things for others especially those who are sick in hospitals.

Turkey

Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun! Christmas in Turkey cannot be compared to our ideas of a traditional Christmas celebration. Indeed, you can buy Christmas trees in every major supermarket; the streets, shops and houses are festively decorated and the loudspeakers in the shopping malls fill the air with the sound of international Christmas carols. Despite all that, however, December 24th and 25th are completely normal work days. No one celebrates or exchanges gifts. For the Turkish, December 31st is the “Great Day”. On this day they celebrate “Yýl-babý”, the “head of the year”. In Istanbul, the biggest Turkish city, this holiday traditionally starts on the Taksim square in the heart of the city. Several thousand people meet at this central meeting point in order to dance to the music of the New Year’s Concert and to see the big fireworks. Traditional food such as turkey filled with chestnuts is served and the children get small gifts. A very interesting tradition in Turkey is that women often times receive red underwear as a symbol of luck.

Romania

Sarbatori vesele!

Christmas is popularly known as 'Craciun' in Romania. It falls on December 25 and is generally considered one of the most important religious holiday. A very important Christmas custom practiced in Romanian villages is 'Ignatius', the sacrifice of a pig in every house in the honor of Saint Ignatius. But the real celebrations begin with the decoration of the Christmas tree on "Ajunul Craciunului" (Christmas Eve). Gift exchanges take place in the evening of Christmas Eve. Children believe that 'Mos Craciun' (the Romanian equivalent of Santa Claus) is the one who delivers them their presents. In Romanian familes, all the women cook for three days. Christmas dinner is a rich, multi-course meal. On the top of the menu comes various kinds of pork sausages, along with plum brandy and home made pickles. 'Sarmale' , an indispensable item for the festive dinner, comes next. This dish consists of pickled cabbage leaves stuffed with a combination of pork and beef, along with rice, pepper, thyme and other spices. Other dishes to follow are roasted pork and turkey with red wine. The wine is consumed to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The last item is 'cozonaci', a cake filled with nuts and raisins. All the members of the extended family enjoy the feast together.

Bulgaria

Tchestita Koleda!

Christmas in Bulgaria is called Koleda. Bulgarians celebrate Christmas on December 25, though this is somewhat unexpected because Bulgaria is an Orthodox country. The traditional Eastern Orthodox celebration of Christmas lands on January 7.Bulgaria's Christmas Eve is celebrated with a meal consisting of an odd number of dishes. This vegetarian meal includes grains, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Walnuts, in particular, are found on the Bulgarian Christmas Eve table. These nuts are cracked in order to predict success or failure for the coming year. Another special aspect of the the Bulgarian Christmas Eve meal is the round loaf of bread, into which a coin is baked. The person who finds the coin will be rewarded with good fortune. Koledari , or Christmas carolers, go from house to house through villages. These groups of carolers are typically made up of young men dressed in traditional costumes which vary from region to region. The koledari are rewarded with food in return for their services.

China

Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan!

During Christmas, Christians in China light their homes with paper lanterns. Also, they decorate their Christmas trees or Trees of Light with paper chains, paper flowers, and paper lanterns. Chinese children call their gift-bringer Dun Che Lao Ren, which means Christmas Old Man.

Italy Buon Natale!

In Italy, the Christmas season goes for three weeks, starting 8 days before Christmas known as the Novena and lasts till after the Feast of Epiphany. The Nativity scene is one of the most beloved symbols of the Christmas season. On the 8th of December, the day of the Immacolata, is observed a tradition to set up the "Presepio" (Crib) and the Christmas tree. The tree is a fir, real or fake, decorated with colored balls and multicolored lights. Both the "Presepio" and the tree are put away in the evening of next year on January 6th. The Christmas Eve dinner excludes is based mainly on fish, it is permissible to eat meat on Christmas Day. Though the menu varies from region to region, the first course of a Christmas feast is either a Lasagna, Cannelloni or a timbale of pasta. Mixed roast or roast beef form the main item for the second course. These are served with various types of cheese, fruits(dried and otherwise) and lots of sweets, all soaked in a good quality red or white wine. Grappa, Whiskey and other hard liquors are also served during the feast. The Torrone, the most typical of the Christmas sweets, its available with honey or chocolate almonds or pistachios. The Christmas cake eaten is of a light Milanese variety known as "Panettone" and contains raisins and candied fruits. Another famous cake is "Pandoro" a soft golden colored variety which originated in Verona. For Christmas lunch is served "Tortellini in Brodo" - filled pasta parcels in broth. In central Italy is also served "Cappone" - boiled capon.