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

Père
Christmas
Noël
accompanied by Père
Fouettard, who brings
is Belgian children believe
that
brings
Saint
them
Nicholas
their
NETHERLANDS
Sinterklaas rides a horse. Dutch children
leave their shoes out, filled with hay and

around the
presents only to good
kids. Children put their
shoes by the fire place to
presents. They also
believe he rides a horse so
they leave hay and
sugar for his horse. In the morning they
find their shoes filled with
candy, nuts and gifts.

world
get gifts. People have carrots and water for the
dinner at midnight on December 24 (le horse just outside the
Réveillon) with a cake called La Bûche de house on December 6.
When Sinterklaas
appears to children, he
takes the form of their
Noël. father or a male relative.

(Frohe Weihnachten) GERMANY (Glædelig Jul) DENMARK (God Jul) SWEDEN

Children count the days until Most people in Scandinavian countries
Christmas with an Advent Danish people celebrate honour St. Lucia on December 13.
Christmas Eve with a
calendar. They also write Traditionally, the eldest daughter
special rice pudding
letters to St. Nicholas in which a single in each family gets up early and
asking for presents almond is hidden. wakes each of her family
(December 6). Christmas Whoever finds the members, dressed in a long,
Eve is the most important almond will have good white gown with a red ribbon
time of the Christmas season for luck for the coming year. and a crown made of twigs
families. Some even say it is a magical night Julemanden arrives in a
with nine lighted candles.
sleigh drawn by reindeer and
when animals can speak. The wonderful Jultomten, visits houses in
a sack over his back. He is
tradition of the Christmas tree, which startedassisted with his Yuletide chores by Elves the afternoon on Christmas
in Germany, is the heart of the celebration. called Juul Nisse, who live in attics. Eve.

(C рождеством!) RUSSIA (Buon Natale) ITALY (Feliz Navidad) SPAIN

Families decorate a New Year’s tree and make Italian people exchange Spanish people celebrate
Salad Olivier (diced gifts on January 6, when Nochebuena (Christmas
meat, veggies and the Wise Men or Magi Eve), and families gather
potatoes all slathered in reached baby Jesus. Italy together to share a meal.
Mayo). Grandfather has La Befana, who Children leave their shoes
Frost (Дед Моро́з) brings gifts for good filled with straw and
delivers presents to children and punishment barley for the camels of
good children, aided by for the bad ones. The nativity scene dates the Wise Men who visit them on January
The Snow Maiden back to Saint Francis of Assisi. 6.
(Снегу́рочка).

(Merry Christmas) UK (Merry Christmas) CANADA / U.S.A. (Feliz Navidad) MEXICO

The tradition of hanging People decorate Christmas trees and hang They celebrate Christmas for nine days
stockings by the chimney their stockings by the fireplace becausewith Las Pastorelas. People dress as
began here because Father children believe that Mary and Joseph
Christmas accidentally Santa Claus will fill walking from house
dropped some gold coins on them with gifts. to house asking if
his way down the chimney People also exchange Mary may stay the
which got caught in a drying stocking.cards and gifts and go night. Then, they
British children wait until thecarolling. are invited in for a
afternoon to open their gifts. party with food, songs,
Boxing Day is celebrated the and a Piñata filled with all kinds of sweets.
day following Christmas,
when small gifts were given to
servants.

(圣诞快乐) CHINA (メリークリスマス) (Merry Christmas) AUSTRALIA

Christian kids decorate JAPAN
their houses with In Japan there is a god or Santa's sleigh is pulled by eight white
beautiful paper lanterns. priest known as kangaroos. Christmas dinner is eaten
 Hoteiosho, who closely resembles our Santa
Claus. He is always pictured as a kind old manoutdoors and is followed by a visit to the
Many Chinese children also hang stockings
carrying a huge pack. He is thought to havebeach or a game of cricket.
and wait for Santa Claus or Dun Che Lao Ren,
eyes in the back of his head. Children must be
which means “Christmas Old Man.”
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?
.