Christmas around
the world
Made by: Cvetelina 10v class
Englan
d in England begin early in
English Christmas traditions
December, and are preceded by the very English
complaining that the holiday starts earlier every year.
On the 24th, Father Christmas visits down chimneys to
leave presents for children on the ‘Good’ list.
Children will leave out snacks for him and his
reindeer – traditionally a mince pie and biscuit,
washed down with beer and whisky. Church
plays an important role, with Midnight Mass on
Christmas Eve, and a service on Christmas
morning.
Dinner is the next priority, with turkey
traditionally the centrepiece, next to the equally
important roast potatoes, veg, gravy, stuffing
and, most importantly, Yorkshire puddings. This
is usually followed by the Queens Speech at
3pm, along with games, fun, and usually some
snoozing!
France
The French have their own unique Christmas traditions; the main Christmas meal, Réveillon, is eaten
on Christmas Eve, following the midnight Church service, and usually includes turkey stuffed with
chestnuts, goose, oysters and foie grad.This is also when families will exchange gifts, though they may
also be given on December 6th, the feast of St Nicholas, or January 6th for those who can wait that
long
In return, they will leave shoes by the fire, in the
hope that he will fill them with presents and
sweets, in a contrast to the stockings found
elsewhere.
Leading up to Christmas, children will write letters to
Pére Noel, and it has been French law since 1962 that
all letters must receive a postcard in reply!
Japan Japanese Christmas traditions are very unique.
Still not seen as a religious holiday,
there is more of a focus on spreading
happiness, and Christmas Eve, is
seen as a romantic day for young
couples to exchange gifts and tokens,
look at the Christmas lights, and eat a
romantic meal; unlike many countries,
the Japanese pick fried chicken as
their Christmas dinner!
There is a gift giver, which translates
as ‘Mr Santa’, but the focus is
Hoteiosho, a figure more closely
associated with Buddhism. While the
Japanese Christmas may be unusual,
their New Year is closer to a Western
Christmas, with a focus on family,
prayer, greeting cards, and special
meals.
Italy
In Italy, a nativity scene, a ‘presepe’, is usually put up in churches, town squares and often in homes.
This is for many the most important part of the Christmas decorations.
On Christmas Eve, as in the old Catholic tradition, often no food is eaten during the day as this is a
fast day. The festive celebrations start after midnight mass. Nowadays, ‘Babbo Natale’, the Father
Christmas, brings presents to children on Christmas eve.
Children hang up their stockings, so that the befana
can bring presents to the good children. The naughty
ones get lumps of black sugar sweets. The arrival of
‘La befana’ is celebrated with traditional Christmas
cake, the panettone, a sweet yeast cake, you can see
below.
But as in true Italian style, gifts are exchanged only
on January 6 that is the day of Epiphany. Then ‘la
befana’, an old lady, comes in search to the houses
for search of the Christ Child.
Thank you!
