(Joyeux Noël) FRANCE (Vrolijk Kerstfeest) BELGIUM (Vrolijk kerstfeest) THE NETHERLANDS

Père
Christ
Noël
accompanied by Père
Fouettard, who brings
is Belgian children believe
that
brings
Saint
them
Nicholas
their
Sinterklaas rides a horse. Dutch children
leave their shoes out, filled with hay and
sugar for his horse. In the morning they find

mas
presents only to good presents. They also their shoes filled with candy,
kids. Children put their believe he rides a horse so nuts and gifts. When
shoes by the fire place to they leave hay and Sinterklaas appears to
get gifts. People have carrots and water for the children, he takes the

around
dinner at midnight on horse just outside the
December 24 (le Réveillon) with a cake house on December 6.
called La Bûche de Noël.
form of their father or a
male relative.

the
(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 13.
calendar. They also write special rice pudding Traditionally, the eldest daughter in each

asking world
letters to St. Nicholas
for presents
(December 6). Christmas
in which a single
almond is hidden.
Whoever finds the
family gets up early and wakes each of her
family members, dressed in a long, white
gown with a red ribbon and a crown made
Eve is the most important almond will have good of twigs with nine lighted candles.
time of the Christmas luck for the coming year. Jultomten, visits houses in the afternoon on
season for families. Some Julemanden arrives in a Christmas Eve.
even say it is a magical night when animalssleigh drawn by reindeer and
can speak. The wonderful tradition of thea sack over his back. He is
Christmas tree, which started in Germany,assisted with his Yuletide chores by Elves
is the heart of the celebration. called Juul Nisse, who live in attics.
(C рождеством!) RUSSIA (Buon Natale) ITALY (Feliz Navidad) SPAIN
Families decorate a New Year’s tree and Italian people exchange Spanish people celebrate
make Salad Olivier gifts on January 6, when Nochebuena (Christmas
(diced meat, veggies the Wise Men or Magi Eve), and families gather
and potatoes all reached baby Jesus. Italy together to share a meal.
slathered in Mayo). has La Befana, who Children leave their shoes
Grandfather Frost brings gifts for good filled with straw and
(Дед Моро́з) delivers children and punishment barley for the camels of
presents to good for the bad ones. The the Wise Men who visit
children, aided by The nativity scene dates back to Saint Francis of them on January 6.
Snow Maiden Assisi.
(Снегу́рочка).
(Merry Christmas) UK (Merry Christmas) CANADA / U.S.A. (Feliz Navidad) MEXICO
The tradition of hanging People decorate Christmas trees and hangThey celebrate Christmas for nine days with
stockings by the chimney their stockings by the fireplace because Las Pastorelas. People dress as Mary and
began here because Father children believe that Joseph walking from
Christmas accidentally Santa Claus will fill house to house
dropped some gold coins on them with gifts. asking if Mary may
his way down the chimney People also exchange stay the night.
which got caught in a drying cards and gifts and go Then, they are
stocking. British children wait until thecarolling. invited in for a
afternoon to open their gifts. party with food,
Boxing Day is celebrated the songs, and a Piñata
day following Christmas, filled with all kinds of sweets.
when small gifts were given
to servants.
(圣诞快乐) CHINA (メリークリスマス) JAPAN (Merry Christmas) AUSTRALIA
Christian kids decorate In Japan there is a god or priest known as Santa's sleigh is pulled by eight white
their houses with Hoteiosho, who closely kangaroos. Christmas dinner is eaten
beautiful paper lanterns. resembles our Santa outdoors and is followed by a visit to the
Many Chinese children Claus. He is always beach or a game of cricket.
also hang stockings and pictured as a kind old
wait for Santa Claus or man carrying a huge
Dun Che Lao Ren, which pack. He is thought to
means “Christmas Old have eyes in the back of
Man.” his head. Children must
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