Choose a country in Europe and research their Christmas traditions. You may use the website on my blog to do this. Write a five to seven sentence paragraph sharing what you found about your chosen country. Spelling and grammar counts, your post will not be published until all spelling and grammar are correct.
During the evening of the 5th December, children are very excited and watch for St. Nicholas (Svatý Mikuláš) to arrive. He normally is accompanied by one or more angels and one or more devils. He asks the children if they've been good all year and also asks them to sing a song or recite a poem, and gives them a basket of presents. The basket normally contains small present similar to the stockings that children receive in the U.K. on Christmas day. The main presents are often opened on Christmas eve, in the evening!
ReplyDeleteIn the Czech language Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce'.
Some of us might have nativity scenes in our house or on our lawn. Do you know where this tradition came from? It came the country of Italy or as the Italians call it Italia. St. Frances of Assisi created the first nativity scene in 1223. That is what I found out about an Italian Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThe country I did for Christmas around the world was Poland. Poland like in America Advent starts the Christmas season. There are no parties or discos held during this time of year. People clean their house thoroughly because everything needs to be clean for Christmas Day. They decorate their Christmas tree with glass balls, tinsel, and lights. Christmas dinners may take over 12 different dishes. Some may include fish, mushrooms, pudding cake, and pierogi. As you may have seen the people eat fish because eating meat is not allowed during the Advent Season. Finally people may give up something in the preparation of the Christ Child.
ReplyDeleteChristmas in Romania starts on December 20th to January 7th.In Romania people kill a pig and they use it for their Christmas feast. In some parts of Romania people dress up as goats and they go caroling with people but watch out they get into a lot of misfit. Santa Claus in Romania has lots of names he is known as Old Man Christmas, Old Man Nicholas and Old Man Frost. Romanian Christmas foods are going to make you feel stuff because they have doughnuts, rich fruit bread, ground pork, cabbage, pork meatballs, roast Gammon, and cheesecake. That is how Romanians celebrate Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThe country that I found which has the most interesting Christmas traditions is Latvia. They also have a Santa Claus. They have a much longer Christmas which lasts twelve full days. Santa brings the children presents on each of the twelve days of Christmas. The presents are left under the family's Christmas tree. Latvia claims to be home to the first Christmas tree. Legend has it that an evergreen tree was placed in the town square of Riga on Christmas in the year 1510. The Latvian Christmas feast consists of brown cooked peas smothered in bacon sauce with cabbage, sausage, and small pies on the side. This is why Latvia has the most interesting Christmas traditions.
ReplyDeleteIn France, Nativity scenes are a substitute for Christmas trees. Along with the Nativity figures, there is a butcher, baker, policeman and a priest. Unlike most scenes, the figures are clay, not wooden. Merry Christmas is said “Joyeux Noel”. On Christmas Eve, they get Cherry Wood are burned in the fireplace and are sprinkled with red wine to make the Yule Log(what is carved out of the Cherry Wood) smell nice. Just like when we leave out milk and cookies for Santa, they burn the candles and logs all night with food and drinks in case Mary and Jesus stop by. They call Santa “Pere Noel”. There is a legend in Eastern France that he is accompanied by a man dressed in black called “Le Pere Fouttard”. The main meal is eaten early morning after the midnight Christmas service. IT is composed of turkey, venison, seafood and cheeses. After, they have a chocolate sponge cake called “buche de Noel”. Another celebration is where 13 different desserts are eaten! They include fruits, nuts and pastries.
ReplyDeleteIn Ireland, people celebrate Christmas the same way as people in the U.S.A., but they do many of there traditions also, for Christmas. Christmas for the people in Ireland, who are Catholic, lasts from Christmas Eve to the Epiphany on January 6th. Some people in Ireland call it "little Christmas! Some people in Ireland put a fat, tall candle on the on the window sill of the biggest window after dawn on Christmas Eve. They put the candle there and let it burn all night. It represents a welcoming and warming light for Mary and Joseph, and Jesus. In Ireland Christmas is Nollaig, Santa Claus is known as San Nioclás (pronounced Saint Nicolas).
ReplyDeleteIn England families usually gather together to watch each other open their presents. They also have a Christmas tree in their house. Decorating the Christmas tree is a huge tradition in England because everybody can help. Christmas trees were first popularized by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Like in the United States, England uses holly and mistletoe to decorate their houses. Like many other countries around the world, England partakes in nativity reenactments and caroling. Instead of Santa Claus, children call him Father Christmas and believe that he leaves presents in their stockings or pillow cases if you’re good. Instead of milk and cookies for Santa, they leave mince pies and brandy for him. Brandy is a non alcoholic drink that keeps Santa awake during his long journey. The children do write letters to Father Christmas, but instead of mailing them they throw their letters in there fire places and Father Christmas reads the smoke. Christmas in England is much like Christmas in the USA, but is still a great tradition to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteChristmas in Russia is celebrated on January 7th. Few people celebrate it on December 25th in Russia. The Christmas and new holidays in Russia start on the 31st of December and end on the 10th of January. Some people fast on Christmas Eve until the very 1st star appears in the sky. On new years Eve is when Father Frost brings gifts to the children. On new years eve the children circle around their tree, hold hands and call for Ded Moroz and when they appears the lights on the tree go on.
ReplyDeleteI have choosen Portugal for this bolg question. The capital of Portugal is Lisbon. It is a tradition in Portugal and known in Spain to eat Christmas dinner on Christmas eve. They will sometimes eat codfish,with vegetables with a bolied potatoe. This is normaly folled by with a shellfish or wild meats. On Christmas Day the presents under there tree is to stay untouched untill they each share their Christmas goodies and have lunch with there family. In Portuguese Happy/Merry Christmas sounds like Feliz Natal. All the families go to mass on Christmas morning and when the get home open their gifts. Portugal is a really intresting place i would like to visit!
ReplyDeleteIn Italy, people usually keep a Nativity crib scene in their homes as one way of celebating Christmas. Italian children usually go out caroling and sing and play songs on shepherd pipes. They wear shepherds sandals and hats too. In Italy no food is eaten until after Midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The meal they usually all eat is called Panettone, which is a dry fruity sponge cake. In Italy, Happy/Merry Christmas is said as "Buon Natale." The Epiphany is also very important here. On Epiphany night, children believe that an old lady called "Befana" brings presents to them. Just like in America, people hang up their stockings above the fireplace for Befana to fill. On Christmas day, Santa Claus, or in Italian they would say Pabbo Natale, will bring them small presents. Their main gift-filled day is on the Epiphany though.
ReplyDeleteChristmas in Germany
ReplyDeleteA big part of the Christmas celebration in Germany is Advent. In German homes different kinds of Advent calendars are used. German families exchange presents on Christmas Eve. The main Christmas meal consists of Carp or Goose. December 24 is the day that Santa Clause or Father Christmas brings presents. On Christmas Eve the Christmas tree was traditionally brought into the house, the family would read the Bible and sing Christmas songs such as O Tannenbaum, Ihr Kinderlein Kommet and Stille Nacht (Silent Night).
I am going to tell you about Christmas in Holland (the Netherlands). Santa Clause is called Sinterklaas in Holland.In Holland, Christmas is celebrated on December.5th. On this day, Sinterklaas travels through a one city or town in his red, bishop's robe. He also goes around with his servant, Zwarte Piet (Black Peter). On December.5th, kids leave clogs or shoes to be filled with presents. Those are some things the Dutch people celebrate for Christmas in Holland.
ReplyDeleteChristmas in Finland: The Finnish people believe that Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, lives in North Finland. They say he lives in a town called Karvatunturi. Because they believe he lives here, they say he does not need to travel far to deliver presents to them because of his location. There is a huge theme park called "Christmas Land" in North Finland close to where they say Santa lives. On Christmas Eve families decorate a spruce tree inside their homes. And the families in Finland try to come together during this very special holiday to celebrate together. After researching Finland's Christmas traditions, I realized that they have some difference compared to us here in America. But for the most part, they have many of the same traditions as us.
ReplyDeleteThe country I pick is Germany. If you ever visited Germany during Christmas time then to greet any people that you would meet at any of there markets or on the streets, you would say "Froehliche Weihnachten" what means "Merry Christmas" in German. Also in German, "Christmas Tree " is "Tannenbaum". As early as the 16th century, Germans put up trees in their houses for Christmas. The trees are decorated with decorations such as nuts, cookies, tinsel and bright candles. Traditionally, children cannot see their family Christmas tree until Christmas Eve. On December 6th is the eve of Saint Nikolous and is called " Saint Nikolous Eve" on this night the German children put their shoes out front of their homes fireplace so that Saint Nikolous could leave behind a goodie for them. Children who think they may have been "bad" worry that twigs will be left in their shoes.
ReplyDeleteIn most parts of Norway, kids like to go carol.the kids will dress up as characters from the Christmas Story, such as the Shepherds and Wise Men.they then would go singing from house to house in their local neighbourhood.they Sometimes would carry paper stars on poles with them. Another tradition in parts of Norway is that families light a candle every night from Christmas Eve until New Year's Day.
ReplyDeleteDanielle D. - I decided to learn about the Christmas of Greece. Most boys go out caroling in the streets on Christmas Eve. As they sing they play the drums and triangles. They sometimes carry model boats. These boats are decorated with nuts and are painted gold this is a very old custom in the Greek Islands. The children might be given nuts or money, sweets and dry figs to eat, if they sing well. In Greece Christmas Trees aren’t traditional, but they are becoming more popular today. For most Greeks going to a Midnight Mass Service is very important. When the service is over they go home and end their fast for Advent.
ReplyDeleteHaving cribs in your own home became popular in the 16th century and it's still popular today. Using a crib to help tell the Christmas story was made very popular by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223.The city of Naples in Italy is world famous for its cribs and crib making. One old Italian custom is that children go out Carol singing and playing songs on shepherds pipes, wearing shepherds sandals and hats. On Christmas Eve, no food is eaten until after Midnight Mass.
ReplyDeleteIn Poland, Advent is the beginning of Christmas. Christmas is a time when people try to be peaceful and remember the real reason for the season. Sometimes people give up their favorite foods, drinks, and parties are not wildly held. Most people go to church frequently. During advent, people prepare their houses for Christmas. There’s a lot of cleaning and preparation going on like washing their windows, cleaning their carpets, they do this very thoroughly. For Christmas, everything must be squeaky clean! Poland is a large catholic country and Christmas Eve is a very important and busy day. Traditionally, it is a day of fasting. Meat is not normally allowed to be eaten in any form. A special Christmas called Wigilla (Pronounced vee- GHEE-lee-uh) is eaten after the first star has been seen in the sky. It also is meat free and consists of Barszcz (beet root soup), Uszka (mushroom ravioli), Pierogi (Pasta dumplings filled with either cheese potato or cabbage and mushroom) and fish dishes (normally carp and herrings). If the Christmas tree hasn’t already been put up before hand, it is brought in and decorated with tinsels, lights, and glass balls. Gold, white and silver gold chains, resembling long, silver and glittering hair, are also hung onto the Christmas tree. A star is placed on top of the tree also. People in Poland also like kissing under the mistletoe! After the house is cleaned again, everyone also gets cleaned up and puts their festive clothes on. People are normally very hungry on Christmas Eve, but as a tradition no food is eaten until the first star is seen in the night sky. At the beginning of the meal they start with, a large wafer biscuit called an 'Oplatek', which has a picture of Mary, Joseph and Jesus on it, is passed around the table and everyone breaks a piece off and eats it. Sometimes a small piece may be given to any farm animals or pets that the family may have. A place is often left empty at the meal table, for the Christ Child. Sometimes straw is put on the floor of the room, or under the table cloth, to remind people that Jesus was born in a stable or cow shed.
ReplyDeleteThe meal consists 12 dishes of mostly fish (as meat used to be forbidden), mushrooms, puddings and cake. Common dished include pierogi, bigos and karp (carp). Like in many Catholic countries, Christmas Eve is often a 'fasting day' meaning that some people don't eat anything until after sunset (when the Church day officially ends). So that's where the custom of the first star come from.
Later children check the presents under the tree and give them out. Sometimes the kids and parents go caroling and tell Christmas stories. They close Christmas Eve by going to a midnight mass service at the local church. The days after Christmas are often spent with family and friends
Christmas in Iceland:
ReplyDeleteThe people of Iceland often call Christmas Yule or Jol. There are many celebrations during the Yule season. Yule consists of the following:
Porlaksmessa or St. Thorlakurs Day on December 23, Aðfangadagur or Christmas Eve / Yule Eve on December 24, Joladagur or Christmas day/Yule day on December 25, Annar Joladagur or Boxing Day on December 26, Gamlarskvold/Nyarsdagur or New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day on December 31/January 1, and Prettandinn or the Twelfth Night on January 6.
Another Yule custom is the coming of the Yuletide lads. These are magical people from the mountains in Iceland who come from December 12 until Yule Eve each year. Every night a different Yuletide lad comes. They are thought of as little elves that eat a lot and like to play tricks on people.
It is a tradition that each year on Yule Day each person receives a new article of clothing and a book. Children often receive a candle and a pack of cards.
The Yule tree is also an evergreen tree in Iceland and a star or crown tops the tree. There is a Yule tree in front of the Reykjavik Cathedral each year as a gift of Oslo, Norway.
In the Czech Republic They say said that Svatý Mikuláš is coming. That means that St. Nicholas is coming. Some he is accompanied by one or more angels and one or more devils. He asked them to sing a song or recite a poem for him. After that he asked them if they have been good all year long. There they say Merry Christmas like this 'Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce'. They mainly celebrated on Christmas Eve. Some people fast during Christmas Eve. Svatý Mikuláš brings the children gifts and leaves them under the tree but he brings them during their dinner. The children open there presents right after dinner. Some families go to church at midnight or on Christmas Day.
ReplyDeleteI am doing my country about Poland. Poland is celebrated like America. They have a special tradition called roraty that is a special mass. They hold their masses at dawn for the news Mary received from the angel Gabriel. During the Christmas season they clean all over their house for Christmas. They like to use Nativity cribs as decoration. Their tradition in Poland is on Christmas Eve they do not eat until the first star is seen in the sky. The first thing they start to eat with is a large biscuit called “Oplatek.” In Poland St. Nicholas is called “Swiety Mikolaj.” The rest of the days of Christmas are spent with family and friends.
ReplyDeleteThe Country I chose is the Czech Republic. Celebrations for Christmas begin with the visit of St. Nicholas on December 6th. He normally is accompanied by one or more angels and one or more devils. He asks the children if they've been good all year and also asks them to sing a song or recite a poem, and gives them a basket of presents. The main presents are often opened on Christmas Eve, in the evening! They end with the visit of the Three Kings. In Czech Republic, St. Nicholas is called Svaty Mikalas and is believed to climb to earth down from heaven on a golden rope along with his companions: an angel and a whip-carrying devil. Christmas is a quiet and peaceful religious time here. They fast for one day, and have baked carp for Christmas dinner. St Nicholas visits, and brings good children gifts, and for those children who are bad, the devil is said to come with switches. At midnight, most families go to Holy Mass or Pasterka as it is known. On Christmas Day, the churches are filled with evergreens and Christmas Trees. Celebrations go on for three days.
ReplyDeleteThe main celebrations are on Christmas Eve. Some people fast during Christmas Eve in the hope that they will see a vision of 'the golden pig' appear on the wall before dinner! This is meant to be a sign of good luck! Also, in the Czech Republic, a girl can tell her future. They do this by putting a cherry twig in water on December 4th. If the twig blossoms before Christmas Eve, the girl will marry sometime during the year. 'Little Jesus' (the Czech version of Santa Claus) brings presents during dinner and leaves them under the Christmas tree. He rings a bell right before he leaves. The presents are normally opened right after dinner. Religious families also usually sing Christmas carols by the tree, and go to church either at midnight or on Christmas Day.
Kala Christougenna is how you say Happy or Merry Christmas in Greece. On the day of Christmas Eve, boys go out caroling on the streets of their neighborhoods. If the children sing well, they are rewarded with money, or treats such as nuts, dried figs and other sweets. Most houses have a wooden bowl, wrapped in a piece of wire along the rim. Then, a cross is hung on the wire, with a sprig of basil. Finally, the mother dips the cross and basil in holy water, and blesses each room in the house to keep the evil spirits away, known as “Killantzaroi” which are said to appear between Christmas and the Epiphany. The evil spirits are said to do bad things and come from the middle of the earth. To Greeks, a midnight Mass is a very important part of the Christmas celebration. A traditional meal eaten by the Greek is a meal of roasted lamb or pork, also served with salad and a variety of vegetables including spinach. Their dessert includes a few types of pastries including Baklava, Kataifi and Theeples. The children’s presents are brought by Aghios Vassilis or Saint Basil.
ReplyDeleteThe country I researched the Christmas traditions on was Romania. Romanians celebrate Christmas for 19 days. Their celebration begins on December 20th and ends on January 7th. Also known as Ignat’s Day, on the first day of Christmas, December 20th, a pig is sacrificed in each family. A meal is then prepared from its meat. On Christmas Day, children and their families go around town singing carols wearing masks. They wear masks to symbolize a god from long ago. Sometimes, the parent or guardian that is at home when the children arrive to sing for them, tries to scare the children by putting on a scary mask. Also, many of the days during this holiday are feast days of saints or special days in the church, such as December 25, the Nativity of Our Lord, December 26, the feast of St. Stephen, and January 6, the Epiphany of Our Lord.
ReplyDeleteThe country i am writing this comment on is Germany. In Germany advent is a very important season. Christmas trees are very important to Germans. The Christmas tree was first used in Germany during the Middle Ages. Santa Claus or Father Christmas delivers the presents on December 24th. Before this I did not know Germany had such a cultural and merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI chose to research on Christmas in Greece. In Greece,many people(mostly boys)go from house to house on Christmas Eve, singing carols. Many others will play the drum or the triangle, too. Then, they're rewarded with candy,dried fruit or figs,nuts,and money. Instead of a Christmas tree, families put out a large,shallow bowl with wire resting above the rim. A cross with basil is hung on the wire, and water is added to keep the basil fresh. Once a day, the cross is dipped in Holy Water, and is used to sprinkle the water in every room of the house. They do this to keep the bad spirits, or Killantzaroi, away until Christmas Eve, when they come out from the middle of the earth and up the chimneys of every house.For Christmas dinner,lamb or pork is eaten with cheese pie and other salads and veggies. The centerpiece of this elegant feast is a bread called Christ bread. Then, presents are given to children on January 1st by Saint Basil.I have learned, that even though Greece may have a different way of celebrating Christmas, every culture is unique in its own special way,just like every snowflake is different from the other.
ReplyDeleteI am doing my blog on Sweden’s Christmas. During Christmas time in Sweden, one of the biggest celebrations is St. Lucy's Day which is celebrated on December 13. One of the most common stories told about St Lucy is that she would secretly bring food to the prisoned Christians in Rome who hid in the tunnels under the city. She would wear candles on her head so she had both hands free to carry things. Lucy means 'light' so this is a very appropriate name. St. Lucy’s Day is usually celebrated by a girl dressing in a white dress with a red sash round her waist and a crown of candles worn on her head.
ReplyDeleteChristmas Eve is also important in Sweden. This is when the main feast is eaten. Presents are normally exchanged on Christmas Eve. People usually go to Church early on Christmas morning.Families may have goats made of straw in the house to guard the Christmas Tree! Straw is used as a decoration in homes to remind them that Jesus was born in a manger. Ornaments that are made of straw are also very popular. In Sweden, presents might be brought by a Santa called 'Jultomten' or by gnomes or elves called 'Nissar' or 'Tomte'. In Swedish Happy or Merry Christmas is 'God Jul'.
In Ireland they celebrate Christmas almost the same way as the United States, but they have their own traditions too. The Irish call Santa Saint Nick, or Father Christmas. Many Irish people eat round cake,full of caraway seeds. They also have turkey on Christmas Eve. They say Happy or Merry Christmas in lots of different languages.
ReplyDeleteDenmark- Most people go to Church Service on Christmas Eve around 4pm to listen to the Christmas Story. After service, people will have there main Christmas meal. When dinner is done they dance around the Christmas tree before opening presents. Some people are lucky enough to get an extra advent gift. Christmas Day is when the whole family gets together to have a big lunch. Children believe that their presents are brought by the Christmas Man. He looks like Santa Clause and also travels with a sleigh and reindeer.
ReplyDeleteIn the United Kingdom Christmas is a little bit like ours because they all like to spend Christmas with their families to open presents. The children in the UK hang either their stocking or a pillow case out above the fire place for Santa Claus or Father Christmas to leave presents in on Christmas Eve. Also another tradition is to set up and decorate one or two Christmas trees as a family. Christmas tree decorating was first created by Prince Albert who was a German and made it popular in England. Lastly here are ways to say Merry Christmas in the UK:
ReplyDeleteScotland- “Blithe Yule”
Gaelic- “Nollaig Chridheil”
Wales- “Nadolig Llawen”
One of the most important things about Christmas in Italy is the Nativity Crib Scene. The crib helps tell the story about the Christmas story. This story is very popular and it became popular by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223. A lot of Italian families have Nativity cribs in their homes. The city of Naples in Italy is known for crib making. The first crib scene in Naples is thought to go back to 1025 and was in the church of St. Maria del presepe. Having cribs in your home was a very popular thing to do in Italy in the 16th century, and it is still popular today.
ReplyDeleteWesołych Świąt! This is Merry Christmas in Polish. For the people of Poland, Advent is the beginning of Christmas. This holiday season is a time of peace and people try to remember the real reason for Christmas. Like in the U.S., the Polish will give up something that they enjoy (candy, soda, favorite food) for the four weeks of Advent. People attend mass frequently. During Advent, many will clean and prepare their houses for Christmas. Christmas Eve is traditionally a day of fasting, and meat is not usually allowed to be eaten in any form. A special Christmas Eve meal called Wigilia is eaten only after the first star has been seen in the sky. At the beginning of the meal, a large wafer biscuit called an Oplatek, which has a picture of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus on it, is passed around the table and everyone breaks a piece off and eats it.Sometimes a small piece may be given to any farm animals or pets that the family may have. A place is often left empty at the meal table, for the Christ Child. Straw may be put on the floor of the room or underneath the tablecloth to remind people that Jesus was born in a stable. This meal normally consists of 12 dishes of mostly fish, mushrooms, puddings and cake. Common dishes include pierogi, bigos and karp (carp). Later, children check the presents under the tree and and give them out. Presents might also be brought by 'Swiety Mikolaj' (St. Nicholas).Christmas trees are decorated with tinsel, lights, and glass balls. Gold, silver, and white chains resembling long, silver and glittering hair is also hung on the tree and a star is placed on top. Nativity Cribs are common decorations. Children take part in Nativity plays at schools and churches. After the meal, the candles on the Christmas tree are lit, and people eat, talk and sing carols. Christmas Eve is finished by going to church for the Midnight Mass service. The days following Christmas are often spent with family and friends.
ReplyDeleteGermany
ReplyDeleteGermany Christmas has a four week preperation called Advent. That is our christian tridition. Christmas trees are also an importent part of Germay's Christmas. They were first used in the middle ages. A common christmas song is Stille Nacht (Silent Night). Merry Christmas is Frohe Weihnacht. Santa or Father Christmas brings gifts on December 24. I believe that Germany's Christmas is really similar to our Christmas.
The country that I choose is Portugal. In Portugal the Father Christmas is believed to bring presents to children on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. The traditional Christmas meal is eaten at the evening of Christmas Eve and people mostly have codfish with vegetables and boiled potatoes and other kinds food. After the meal people go to mass and return home home to open their presents. Finally, on Christmas Day people eat their treats
ReplyDeleteFor this blog question I chose to research about Germany’s Christmas. In Germany, advent is a big part of the Christmas celebration. In their houses you will most likely find different types of Advent calendars. One Advent calendar they use is made out of a wreath with 24 boxes or bags that are decorated. These decorated boxes or bags are hung from the wreath which is made out of Fir tree branches. In each of these decorated boxes or bags there is a little present. The kids open a box or a bag each day and find a little present for them. They do this for 24 days which is also the amount of decorated boxes or bags. Another advent calendar they use is the advent wreath we also use. We have one in our church. Just like us they light each week for 4 weeks during advent. They also use 3 purple candles and 1 pink candle. In Germany Christmas trees are very important. Christmas trees were first used in Germany in the middle ages. If there are children in the house the mother of the family usually secretly decorates the tree. On Christmas Eve the Christmas tree was traditionally brought into the house and on that evening the family would read the bible and sing some Christmas songs such as O Tannenbaum, Ihr Kinderlein Kommet, and Stille Nacht (Silent Night). The main day when Germans exchange their presents is usually Christmas Eve. To say Happy/Merry Christmas in German you say “Frohe Weihnacht.”
ReplyDeleteFor Christmas in Europe I have chosen to do France. In France, a Nativity crib is sometimes used to decorate the house, as well as the normal Nativity scene, they are added figures like a butcher, baker, a policeman, and a priest. In French Merry Christmas is 'Joyeux Noel'. In France Santa Claus is named Pere Noel (Father Christmas.) In Eastern France he is accompanied by Le Pere Fouettard, a man dressed in black. The main Christmas meal is called Reveillon, and it is eaten on Christmas Eve after everybody has returned from the midnight Church Service. Some other dishes include: roast turkey with chestnuts or roast goose, oysters, lobster, cheese, and more! I have learned much about France and how French people celebrate Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI am going to tell you what Christmas is like in Netherlands (Holland). In Holland, even though St. Nicholas’ feast day is the 6th, many of the important festivities begin on December 5th, in honor of St. Nicholas, when Sinterklaas bring the children their presents. That night, children will leave their shoes out for them to be filled with presents when they wake up in the morning. It is told that all of the good children will get presents, but the bad children will be chased by Sinterklaas’ servant with a stick. Santa Claus actually comes from the word Sinterklaas in Dutch. To say Merry Christmas in Dutch is ‘Prettige Kerstfeest’.
ReplyDeleteThe country I chose is Italy. I chose Italy because I already know the customs. The most common sign is the Nativity Scene. An old custtom is caroling. also you spend Christmas with your families and the presents go unde the tree. This is a Christmas in Italy.
ReplyDeleteOn Christmas Eve families exchange gifts and spend time with each other. People say Santa or Father Christmas brings them gifts on Christmas Eve. Germany is famous for Christmas trees. The reason is Germany came up with Christmas trees in the early ages. Most families eat goose on Christmas day.
ReplyDeleteI am choosing to talk about Christmas in France. In France the people call their Santa Clause, Father Christmas, or St Nicholas, "Pere Noel. The children recieve their gifts from him on Christmas Eve. The French decorate their houses with Manger Cribs and Yule Logs. These Mangers are clay figures, not wooden. The Manger scence in Freance sometimes features Mary, Joseph, the Angel, the Shepards, the Wise Men, a Butcher, a Policeman, a Baker, and a Priest. The Yule Logs are made of Cherry Wood, and are carried in the house on Christmas Eve and sprinkled with wine to smell nice for the Christ child. The traditional meal on Christmas Eve or very early Christmas morning is called Reveillon. It includes roast turkey or goose with chestnuts, oysters, foie gras, lobster,venison, and cheeses. Also, for dessert they eat a chocolate sponge cake log called a buche de Noel. Although Christmas in France is different from our normal, traditional feast it still would be very fun to experience.
ReplyDeleteIn France, Nativity scenes often decorate houses. These scenes include clay figures instead of wooden figures. As well as having the normal Nativity figures, such as Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Three Kings, etc French Nativity scenes also include a butcher, baker, policeman, and a priest. On Christmas Eve, yule logs that are often made out of Cherry Wood, are carried into the house and sprinkled with red wine so that while they are burning the house would smell nice. It is a tradition that the logs are left burning all night with food and drinks left out Mary and the baby Jesus pass by during the night. In France Santa Claus is known as Pere Noel.In eastern France, Pere Noel is accompanied by Le Pere Fouettard, who is a man dressed in black. Le Pere Fouettard is closely related to Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands. After midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the main meal is eaten. This meal is called Reveillon. These dishes include roast turkey with chestnuts or roast goose, oysters, foie gras, lobster, venison, and cheeses. For dessert the French may enjoy a chocolate spongecake log called a buche de Noel.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most important ways of celebrating Chrismas in Italy is the Nativity Scene. This was made popular by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223. Assisi is in central Italy. Many Italian families have a Nativity Scene in their home. The city of Naples in Italy are world famous in crib making. The first crib scene dates bavk 1025 in a church in Italy. This was even before Saint Francis. St. Francis just made it popular. On Christmas Eve no food isneaten until after Midnight Mass. On the night of the Epiphany,children believe that an old lady named " Befanc" brings them presents.
ReplyDeleteThe country I decided to research is Ireland. Ireland's idea for Christmas is similar to ours and the U.K.'s, but it still has it's own traditions and customs. For instance some people in Ireland put a large candle on a sill of the largest window in the house after sunset on Christmas Eve. The candle is used to represent a welcoming light for Mary and Joseph, and is burned througout the night. Christmas for Irish Catholics usually lasts from Christmas Eve to the feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. On this day Irish women get the day off as the men do all the ocoking and cleaning. Another important Irish Christmas tradition is celebrating St. Stephen's Day. It is also called Boxing Day and is celebrated the day after Christmas. Traditionally the Irish celebrate St. Stephen's Day by attending horse racing, football matches, and celebrating the Wren Procession. During the procession, people dress up in costumes and go house to house with a long pole with holly attached to it singing a rhyme. They also ask for money 'for the starving wren'.
ReplyDeleteChristmas in Italy
ReplyDeleteItaly uses the cribs to tell the story of Jesus. In Italy ever year families put out cribs for baby Jesus on the 8th of December. They do not put the doll of Jesus until the 24th of December. The first crib scene was in Naples back in 1025 done by St. Francis of Assisi. The most famous city for crib making is Naples.
I chose to do research on Ireland's Christmas. For Catholics in Ireland they celebrate from our Christmas Eve to January 6th. Some people light a candle and let it burn all night to welcome Mary and Joseph. The day after Christmas is St. Stephens day this is very important to Ireland because there are many football games and races held on this game. On January 6th people go around in home made costumes saying Te wren the wren, the king of all birds
ReplyDeleteOn St. Stephens day was caught in the furze.
Christmas in Ireland
ReplyDeleteAn Irish Christmas can be similar to Christmas in the U.K. and U.S.A.; however they do have their own traditions. Most Irish people are Catholic and their Christmas celebration lasts until the Epiphany on Januray 6. They call the Epiphany “Little Christmas. In Irish Gaelic, Christmas is “Nollaig” so Merry Christmas is “Nollaig Shona Dhuit”. The Irish call Santa Claus “San Nioclas” – Saint Nicholas – or “Daidina Nollaig” – Father Christmas. In some houses on Christmas Eve, after sunset, families light a large, white candle in the largest window. Irish food for Christmas is a round cake and sometimes spiced beef that can be served hot or cold.
Christmas in UK
ReplyDeleteIn some families in the UK they have one or two Christmas trees. Everyone in the family decorates the tree. Christmas trees were first populariszed in the UK by Prince Albert. Sometimes Holly, Ivy, and Mistletoe are used to decorate buildings. At Christmas time caroling and Christmas Nativities are very popular. Children call Santa Claus Father Christmas. Instead of the children mailing letters to Father Christmas they throw the letters into a fireplace and Father Christmas reads the smoke.
The German Christmas is close to ours in the USA. They use Christmas trees and the Germans use Advent calendars. Since Advent is very important to them, they have several Advent calendars. Christmas trees are also important to Germany. They have been using them since the middle Ages. During the evening after a family would bring their tree into their house, they would read from the bible and sing a carol, such as O Tannenbaum, Ihr Kinderlein Kommet and Stille Nacht (Silent Night). The way they say Merry Christmas in German is 'Frohe Weihnacht'. Santa, or Father Christmas, brings small gifts and treats on the December 24th.
ReplyDeleteI chose to do Christmas in Italy. An important way to celebrate Christmas in Italy is the Nativity Crib scene. Many Italian families have the Nativiy scenes in their homes. In Italy, on Christmas Eve, no food will be eaten until after midnight mass. Epiphany night is also very important in Italy. the children believe,on Epiphany night, a old lady, Befana, brings them gifts. Children put out their stockings for befana to fill. I think Italy has a cool Christmas tradition!
ReplyDeletei found Christmas in Denmark the most interesting. Instead of Santa Claus or Father Christmas bringing Denmark their presents Julemaden meaning Christmas Man brings the children of Denmark their presents. Denmark's people visit their families to have a big lunch together on Christmas day. In Denmark on the four Sundays in Advent, some people give and receive gifts. Most people in Denmark enjoy celebrating Christmas parties held from November first to December twenty-fourth. On Christmas Eve, people go listen to Christmas stories at church. They eat dinner when the get home which is usually around 6 to 8pm. After dinner, before opening their presents, Denmark's people dance around the tree to celebrate Christmas with eachother.
ReplyDeleteI have chosen Italy for my blog. In Italy, it is custom that children go out Carol singing and playing songs wearing Shepard sandals and hats, on Shepard pipes. Food normally isn't eaten until after Midnight mass. Italian Christmas cake called, 'Panettone', which is like a fruity sponge cake is included in this meal. Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Buon Natale' in Italian. In Sicilian, it is pronounced 'Bon Natali,' We have some things in common with Italy. We hang stockings by the fire place just as they do also.
ReplyDeleteAt Czech Republic, they celebrate Christmas on December 5th. Santa tells the children to tell a poem or any Christmas story. Santa also brings the children baskets of presents for them. In Czech Rep. Christmas is called Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce. The main celebration is on Christmas Eve and most children open their gifts that evening. Santa Claus is meant to be “Baby Jesus” and he brings the children presents during dinner and places them under the Christmas tree. The residents of Czech Republic usually go to mass at middnight or Christmas Day.
ReplyDeleteThe country I chose was Poland. In Poland Christmas begins on Advent. On Christmas Eve people start to eat dinner when they see the first star in the sky. Before dinner Family member have a piece of bread, and they break it and they share it with other people. This bread is like bread you get from Communion. They have a Christmas tree and Santa Claus too,except they Santa Claus St. Nicolas. Instead of getting presents on Christmas morning they get the presents on Christmas Eve.
ReplyDeleteChristmas in Ireland
ReplyDeleteIn Ireland, people celebrate Christmas in much the same way as people in the U.K. and the U.S.A., but they also have many of their own Christmas traditions and customs.Christmas for Irish people, who are Catholics, lasts from Christmas Eve to the feast of Epiphany on January 6th, which some Irish people call 'Little Christmas'. Santa Claus is known as Saint Nicholas.Young men and women dress up in home made costumes and go from house to house carrying a long pole with a holly bush tied to its top and singing a rhyme.The Feast of the Epiphany (January 6th) is also celebrated as 'Nollaig na mBean' or Women's Christmas. Traditionally the women get the day off and the men do the housework and cooking! The Women meet in each other's homes to sew and chat. It is becoming more popular and many Irish women now get together on the Sunday nearest Epiphany, to have tea and cakes, to gossip and to enjoy each other's company!Traditional Christmas food in Ireland include a round cake, full of caraway seeds. One is traditionally made for each person in the house. And an addition to turkey for Christmas dinner,
I found Christmas in Ireland to be the most interesting because people have a lot of traditions which means that they do the same thing every year for many generations. Catholic people celebrate the Epiphany. in Ireland Santa Claus is not how they say it, but they say Saint Nicholas or Saint Nick. most people of Ireland have a great feast on the night of Christmas, or Christmas Eve, this feast usualy contains a huge turkey.
ReplyDeleteThe country in Europe I have chosen to research in Christmas cultures is Finland. First of all, the people of Finland believe in Santa Claus, but they think he lives in the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi. People all over the world send letters to him in Finland! Even animals get their little own Christmas! Wheat is usually hung on a tree for animals to eat and birds to peck. They also celebrate three hold days: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. The main food they have on their main feast is usually cooked ham or turkey just like us.
ReplyDeleteThe country in Europe I chosen to research on is Russia. Back when Russia was known as soviet Union Christmas wasn't celebrated new year's was.In Russia Christmas is celebrated on January 7th or some Catholics might celebrate it on December 25. The offical Christmas is on December 31 and last to January 10.The Russian gretting is Rozhdestovm.Some people in Russia fast on Christmas Eve an ddon't eat anything till the first star in the sky appears. The Russian word for Christmas Eve is Sochelink. Also Christmas is not as important to Russia instead it's New Year's Eve
ReplyDeleteI am going to tell you a little story about one of Santa’s journeys. 40 days before Christmas 15% of Egypt start to fast or not eat anything meat products except fish. This is called the Holy Nativity Fast. Christmas isn’t celebrated on the 25th but the 7th. On the 6th of December the Coptic Christians go to church for a special liturgy or service. On Christmas day people come together in homes for parties and festivities.
ReplyDeleteSo that is one of the places Santa’s journey takes place. Santa in Egypt is Baba Noel
What is Christmas like in Wales? In Wales carol singing is treasured during the Christmas season. Also a person is chosen to travel around the town draped in white holding a horses skull on a pole, this person is called the Mari Liwyd. Anyone bit by the horses jaw has to pay a fine. On Christmas everyone gathers in the public square and a favorite carol is chose and sung in Wales. One of the most important things about a Welsh Christmas is taffy making! This is very essential there. Much of Wale's tradition is similar to England's tradition. They also have other things in common like "lots of snow!"
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