Christmas around the world

(Joyeux Noël) FRANCE (Vrolijk kerstfeest) THE NETHERLANDS

(Vrolijk Kerstfeest) BELGIUM
Père Noël is Sinterklaas rides a horse. Dutch children
Belgian children believe
accompanied by Père leave their shoes out, filled with hay and
that Saint Nicholas
Fouettard, who brings sugar for his horse. In the morning they find
brings them their
presents only to good their shoes filled with candy,
presents. They also
kids. Children put their nuts and gifts. When
believe he rides a horse so
shoes by the fire place to Sinterklaas appears to
they leave hay and
get gifts. People have children, he takes the
carrots and water for the
dinner at midnight on form of their father or a
horse just outside the
December 24 (le Réveillon) with a cake male relative.
house on December 6.
called La Bûche de Noël.
(Frohe Weihnachten) GERMANY (Glædelig Jul) DENMARK (God Jul) SWEDEN
Children count the days until Danish people celebrate Most people in Scandinavian countries
Christmas with an Advent Christmas Eve with a honour St. Lucia on December
calendar. They also write special rice pudding 13. Traditionally, the eldest
letters to St. Nicholas in which a single daughter in each family gets up
asking for presents almond is hidden. early and wakes each of her
(December 6). Christmas Whoever finds the family members, dressed in a
Eve is the most important almond will have good luck for long, white gown with a red
time of the Christmas the coming year. ribbon and a crown made of
season for families. Some Julemanden arrives in a twigs with nine lighted
even say it is a magical night when animalssleigh drawn by reindeer and candles. Jultomten, visits
can speak. The wonderful tradition of thea sack over his back. He is houses in the afternoon on
Christmas tree, which started in Germany,assisted with his Yuletide chores by ElvesChristmas Eve.
is the heart of the celebration. called Juul Nisse, who live in attics.
(C рождеством!) RUSSIA
(Buon Natale) ITALY
Families decorate a New Year’s tree and (Feliz Navidad) SPAIN
Italian people exchange
make Salad Olivier Spanish people celebrate
gifts on January 6, when
(diced meat, veggies Nochebuena (Christmas
the Wise Men or Magi
and potatoes all Eve), and families gather
reached baby Jesus. Italy
slathered in Mayo). together to share a meal.
has La Befana, who
Grandfather Frost Children leave their shoes
brings gifts for good
(Дед Моро́з) delivers filled with straw and
children and punishment
presents to good barley for the camels of
for the bad ones. The
children, aided by The the Wise Men who visit
nativity scene dates back to Saint Francis of
Snow Maiden them on January 6.
Assisi.
(Снегу́рочка).
(Merry Christmas) UK
The tradition of hanging (Feliz Navidad) MEXICO
(Merry Christmas) CANADA / U.S.A.
stockings by the chimney They celebrate Christmas for nine days with
People decorate Christmas trees and hang
began here because Father their stockings by the fireplace because Las Pastorelas. People dress as Mary and
Christmas accidentally Joseph walking from
children believe that
dropped some gold coins on Santa Claus will fill house to house
his way down the chimney them with gifts. asking if Mary may
which got caught in a drying stay the night.
People also exchange
stocking. British children wait until thecards and gifts and go Then, they are
afternoon to open their gifts.carolling. invited in for a
Boxing Day is celebrated the party with food,
day following Christmas, songs, and a Piñata
when small gifts were given filled with all kinds of sweets.
to servants.
(メリークリスマス) JAPAN
(圣诞快乐) CHINA In Japan there is a god or priest known as (Merry Christmas) AUSTRALIA
Christian kids decorate Hoteiosho, who closely Santa's sleigh is pulled by eight white
their houses with resembles our Santa kangaroos. Christmas dinner is eaten
beautiful paper lanterns. Claus. He is always outdoors and is followed by a visit to the
Many Chinese children pictured as a kind old beach or a game of cricket.
also hang stockings and man carrying a huge
wait for Santa Claus or pack. He is thought to
Dun Che Lao Ren, which have eyes in the back of
means “Christmas Old his head. Children must
Man.” be good when this all-seeing gentleman is
abroad.
 CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD QUIZ

1) In Belgium, who comes on December 6?

2) Christians in China call Santa Claus Dun Che Lao Ren, which means…

3) The first nativity scene was displayed in 1223 by St. Francis of Assisi in which country?

4) In Sweden, the Christmas season begins on December 13, the feast day of St. Lucia. On this

day it is traditional for the eldest daughter in every family to…

5) In which country is a Yule log-shaped cake called a "Bûche de Noël" traditionally served?

6) In China, what do people traditionally use to light their homes at Christmas?

7) Where do Santa's elves live in Denmark?

8) Who delivers presents in Russia?

9) In The Netherlands, what transport does Saint Nicholas traditionally use?

10) Which country originated the tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace?

11) At Christmas Mexican parents allow children to break a ………………

12) What animals pull Santa’s sleigh in Australia?

13) Where was developed the modern tradition of the Christmas tree?

14) When and where is Boxing Day celebrated?

15) Where is Father Christmas known as Père Noël?

16) When do Spanish children receive their gifts?

17) In what country do children receive gifts from La Befana, a kindly old witch?

18) Who accompanies Père Noël with a book in which each child's behavior is recorded?
 Answer key
http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/
1. Saint Nicholas
2. Christmas Old Man
3. Italy
4. wear a long, white gown with a red ribbon and a crown made of twigs with nine lighted candles
5. France
6. Paper lanterns
7. In the attics of houses
8. Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden
9. A horse
10. England
11. Piñata
12. Kangaroos
13. In Germany
14. In UK on December 26.
15. In France
16. On January 6.
17. Italy
18. Père Fouettard