Christmas around the world!

Samantha, Falyn, and Anna In Italy!!

Do you know how to speak Italian? Buon Natale is Merry Christmas, Buone Feste is Happy holidays! Buon Anno! That means Happy new year!! Even though holiday customs differ from region to region, it can still be said that the holiday season in Italy is a time for joy and goodwill. Streets are gaily decorated with lights and greenery. Colorful Christmas markets draw large crowds of holiday shoppers! Saint visits the children on December 6, lots of Italian children anxiously wait for a day of presents and special treats. These are some Italian foods Christmas in Belgium

Do you know how to say Merry Christmas in ?“Vrolijk Kerstfeest” is Merry Christmas in Dutch. Children believe that (St. Nicholas) brings them presents on December 6th, St. Nicholas day. 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 Sinterklaas’ horse and something for his assistant .

Traditional foods that are left for Sinterklaas include tangerines, , chocolate, and ‘mokjes’ ( made in the shapes of letters). Different regions of Belgium have different customs and traditions about St. Nicholas. The visit of Sinterklaas is a separate occasion than Christmas. Christmas is a more religious festival. Christmas in Belgium

On a special meal is eaten by most families. It starts with a drink (aperitif) and ‘nibbles’, followed by a starter course such as sea food, and then stuffed . The dessert is ‘Kerststronk’ (Flemish) or ‘la buche de Noel’ (Walloon) a chocolate Christmas log covered with chocolate butter cream and made to resemble a bark-covered log.

Some people celebrate and 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. 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 at the market! Christmas in Belgium

At Christmas parties at schools, it’s common to buy a small 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. Christmas In France

“Joyeux Noel” or Merry Christmas in France. Christmas in France is a big holiday.

Foods- The main Christmas meal is called R’eveillion. It is either eaten on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. The feast will have roast turkey, with chestnuts, or , oysters, lobster, foie gras venison and cheese. And for dessert a sponge cake log called a Bûche de Noël is served. In another part of France people eat 13 different desserts, and all of the desserts are made from different types of fruits, pastries and nuts. Christmas In France

In almost every French home during the christmas holiday, people put displays of a Creche or, in English, a , which serves a focus for the christmas celebration. Christmas In France

In the north and northeast of France, Christmas comes early when Le Pere Noel () brings and sweets for children on December 6th, the feast day of St. Nicolas.