Christmas Traditions Familiar
Around the World
 You
may be surprised to find out how similar the celebration of Christmas is
from country to country. Most people exchange presents, though exactly when
varies. Christmas trees may have originated in Germany, but many other
countries decorate them each year. In the United States, you will find some
families putting up their (artificial) trees together right after
Thanksgiving (the last Thursday in November) while in Germany, the tree is
decorated on Christmas Eve. Presents are placed under the tree and plates
are filled with marzipan, candy and other goodies, then a bell is rung and
the room is revealed to the children. Also, many people from each country
include religious services in their celebration.
While there are similarities, you will also find many
differences. In England, Father Christmas brings toys and goodies. The
Christmas pudding is prepared weeks before Christmas Day. Everyone in the
family stirs the pot and makes a wish. If you find the coin hidden in the
pudding when it’s eaten, it will bring you good luck. Children love pulling
Christmas crackers. The brightly coloured paper tubes are twisted at both
ends and contain a party hat, a riddle, a toy or another type of trinket.
Children also enjoy pantomimes during the season.
 Boxing
Day falls on the day after Christmas, Dec. 26. One possible origin of the
name comes from the giving of the Christmas box (the gift of money or food
in a box) to deliverymen or tradespeople who called regularly throughout the
year. The tradition continues today through tipping the milkman, postman,
etc. Another possibility would be that it was the day the alms boxes in
churches were opened and the money distributed to the poor and needy.
The Irish celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas from
Christmas Eve until Epiphany. There are 11 days of parties and visiting. The
lighting of a large candle near the front window symbolizes a welcome to
Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus. Prayers are said for the dead and the
privilege of lighting the candle goes to a child named Mary or the youngest
in the family. Father Christmas has the responsibility of delivering the
presents.
In Scotland you will find Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) more
celebrated than Christmas. According to tradition, the first person in your
house at New Year’s will affect the family’s fortunes. If the person is a
stranger, he or she will bring good luck to the household.
In the United States, many people like to decorate the
outside of their homes with light displays from the simple to the
ostentatious. Santa Claus delivers the presents to good boys and girls. He
flies around the world on Christmas Eve in his sleigh carried by eight
reindeer. Many children like to leave milk and biscuits for Santa as a
snack.
France, Germany and Belgium honor St. Nicholas on Dec.
6. German children leave their shoes outside or by the door. St. Nicholas
carries a book containing all children’s deeds. If the child has been good,
he or she will receive holiday treats, but if they have been bad, they get
twigs, potatoes or coal.
In French-speaking Wallonia, St. Nicholas
visits children often accompanied by a donkey and Pere Fouettard. The
children of Flanders, who speak Dutch, place their shoes or small baskets by
the fireplace or by the door on St. Nicholas’ Eve or the weekend before. The
next morning they find treats like chocolates and speculoos, cookies shaped
like St. Nicholas and Black Pete. The feast of St. Nicholas is a religious
occasion with church services and quiet family gatherings.
 On
Christmas Eve, after German children are let in to see the tree, the family
celebrates by opening gifts, singing carols and reading the Christmas story.
In Belgium, the influence of the United States is felt more and more. Many
families now also exchange gifts on Dec. 25, even though Father Christmas
usually doesn’t visit unless there are young children in the family. In
Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands, Black Pete assists Father
Christmas by helping to distribute presents.
The Italians take great pride in creating
elaborate nativity scene displays. It is one of the most important ways in
which they celebrate Christmas. Churches even hold contests to determine the
best crib. On Christmas Eve, no food is eaten until after midnight mass.
That is when the main Christmas meal is consumed.
The Canadians draw their Christmas
traditions from France, England, Germany, Ukraine and the First Nations
(Native Americans). Before leaving for midnight mass on Christmas Eve, some
families decorate their tree and set up a crèche. Certain French-Canadian
families wait until New Year’s to exchange gifts. In Nova Scotia during the
holiday season, mummers or belsnickers dressed in costumes go from house to
house ringing bells and seeking candy and treats. The hosts try to identify
the people. If they are correct, the person must remove his or her mask and
stop the noise.
No matter where or how you might celebrate
at this time of the year, you will find others who share the joy and hope of
the season. |
