Christmas Around The World

[caption id="attachment_811" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Numerous countries throughout the world celebrate Christmas by decorating Christmas trees, which signify life and the waiting for Spring. "][/caption] It goes without saying that Christmas is a hugely celebrated holiday in the United States. Most Americans celebrate Christmas by adorning their homes with twinkling lights, towering trees, elaborate nativity scenes, and homemade stockings, in addition to giving gifts and gathering with family and friends to feast. But what's most interesting about the holiday is that, for the most part, it's a season celebrated worldwide. From Mexico, to Finland, to Australia, each country carries it's own traditions and celebrates the day in a fashion only their country carries out. Here are some interesting facts about how other countries and cultures celebrate Christmas: Australia - Christmas in Australia is always warm and sunny, as Christmas falls into the country's summer season. A traditional meal including ham, turkey, mince pie, and plum pudding are usually enjoyed at a beach picnic. Santa is believed to arrive via boat or surfboard instead of by sleigh or reindeer. Belgium - Christmas celebrations begin on December 6, when the country celebrates Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas). Santa Claus is known as de Kerstman or le Pere Noel is believed to come on Christmas day to deliver presents to the children. A traditional Christmas breakfast in Belgium consists of cougnou (or cougnolle) a sweet bread that is shaped in the like of baby Jesus. Brazil - Father Christmas in Brazil is known as Papai Noel. Many of the Christmas customs in Brazil are very similar to those in the United Kingdom and United States. In addition to a traditional Christmas meal, Brazilians enjoy a dessert called Brigadeiro, made of condensed milk and chocolate. China - Christmas celebrations in China only exist for tourists and those from other areas of the world who happen to live there or be visiting over the holiday season. Cuba - Before Castro's rule began in 1959, Christmas Eve was a time of celebration for Cubans, when families gathered to dance, feast on roasted pork, and attend midnight Mass. Gifts were exchanged on January 6, a day known as Epiphany and when beliefs of Santa Claus came into Cuba during the 1940's and 50's, he was known to only bring children candy and sweets, not toys. But when communism took over with Castro's rule in 1959, Christmas celebrations were halted, but have returned to a certain degree in recent years. Egypt - Although not primarily a Christian country, Christian Egyptians celebrate Christmas and the birth of Christ on January 7, as do many other Orthodox Church religions. Christian Egyptians do not eat any meat or drink any milk from November 25 to late in the evening on January 6, in which a meal of meat and rice is enjoyed following an evening church service. Finland - Finnish people believe that Father Christmas lives in the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi, a town north of the Arctic Circle near a theme park called "Christmas Land". They celebrate three Holy days - Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Christmas Eve is when Finnish people eat rice porridge and a sweet soup made of dried fruits; tune into a mid-day "Christmas Peace Declaration", that is broadcast on television and radio from the city of Turku by its mayor. The Finnish also put much effort into decorating graveyards on Christmas Eve, bringing candles to the graves of lost loved ones either before or after attending church. Christmas Day is celebrated by opening gifts and feasting throughout the day, on numerous meals and snacks including Rosolli, a cold salad made from peeled, cooked, and diced potatoes, carrots, beetroot and diced apples, onions, and pickled cucumber. France - Christmas in France is known as Noel and most of the French decorate their trees with red ribbons and white wax candles. Christmas dinner is very important in France and usually consists of meat and wine. In France, it isn't common to send Christmas cards. Germany - The Christmas season in Germany officially begins on December 6 - Saint Nicholas Day. On this day, children put a shoe by the fireplace and Saint Nicholas comes by with his "naughty or nice" list. "Nice" children find treats to eat in the shoe, while "naughty" children find twigs. Germans are also known to celebrate the Advent, meaning the "coming". Adventskranz wreaths are made of leaves and four candles and signify the four-week period prior to Christmas. A traditional meal is cooked on Christmas Eve and once finished, the children are invited to open presents and sing carols. Greenland - The singing of carols is very prevalent in Greenland during the Christmas season. Carolers might be spotted walking past houses singing very early in the morning. Church services are attended throughout the Advent season, as well as on Christmas Eve. Because only one percent of Greenland is forested, residents either make a Christmas tree from driftwood, or choose to buy an artificial tree or import a live tree from another country. Hungary - In Hungary, Santa Clause comes on December 6, when children put their shoes outside next to the door or window. Candies and small toys appear in red bags next to the shoes if the child has been "nice" and a golden birch (symbolizing spanking) is placed next to the shoes if the child has been "naughty". On Christmas Eve, children visit their relative's homes because Jesus brings the tree and presents that evening. Families cook a traditional meal of fresh fish and rice or potatoes, followed by homemade pastries for dessert. After dinner, the tree - adorned by golden-wrapped chocolates and meringues - is viewed by the children for the very first time. Present are then opened and Christmas carols are sung. Iceland - Christmas, known as Yule in Iceland, is very similar to that of the United States. The major differences, however, are the mutton that is eaten and the 13 distinct Santas that are part of the Yule customs. Latvia - Latvians believe that Father Christmas brings presents on each of the 12 days of Christmas, starting on Christmas Eve. The presents are usually put under the family Christmas tree. It was also in Latvia that the first Christmas tree was decorated. The Christmas Day meal consists of brown peas with pork sauce, small pies, cabbage, and sausage. Mexico - Mexicans celebrate Christmas with Las Posadas, a nine-day festival that re-enacts the journey of Joseph and Mary to the point when baby Jesus is born. Champurrado is a traditional Mexican drink similar to hot chocolate and tamales are a Christmas favorite. Most Mexicans attend an evening Mass on Christmas Eve, followed by a traditional meal and the opening of presents at midnight. Middle East - Because there's only a small percentage of Christians in the Middle East, only small, intimate family and religious celebrations occur. The celebrations, however, do not share the same fanfare and commercialism that other regions have become accustomed to. New Zealand - Celebrations in New Zealand are very similar to those in other countries, with the only exceptions being that they gather with friends and family to barbecue and enjoy beer and wine. Nigeria - One of the biggest ways Nigerians celebrate Christmas is by returning to one's hometown to visit with friends from the past and to spend time with relatives. A traditional dish consists of yams, vegetables and hot spices. And when it comes to gift giving, Nigerians give presents to only those less fortunate. Portugal - In Portugal, presents are left under the tree or in shoes by the fireplace. A special meal of salted dry Cod-fish with boiled potatoes is eaten at midnight on Christmas Eve. Romania - Romanians start celebrating Christmas on December 6, with children waiting to receive little gifts - or twigs - depending on whether or not they were "naughty or nice". Those that live in the countryside raise their own pigs, which in turn are sacrificed for Christmas on December 20. each part of the pig is used in different ways to make different dishes for Christmas dinner. Those in the countryside also dress as bears and goats and sing traditional songs at each house in the village. Romanians from Transylvania serve stuffed cabbage on Christmas Eve, as well as the next day for lunch. Russia - In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. New Year was the important time, when Father Frost brought presents to children. With the fall of communism, Christmas can now be openly celebrated - either on December 25, or more commonly, January 7. They celebrate on January 7 because the Russian Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar for religious celebration days. Traditional Christmas foods include cakes, pies, and meat dumplings. Sweden - In Sweden, the most important day is Christmas Eve, when a special meal of ham, herring fish, and brown beans is served. Christmas Eve is also when families exchange presents since many people attend church early on Christmas Day.

No matter how you and your family celebrate Christmas, Ernst & Haas would like to wish you a wonderful Christmas, overflowing with joy, peace, and the fulfillment that comes with being with those you love.

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Christmas Around The World

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