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Belgium The children there believe it is kindly Saint Nicholas who brings them their presents. They also believe he rides a horse so they leave him hay and carrots and water for the horse just outside the house on December 6. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

China The Chinese who celebrate Christmas light their homes with beautiful paper lanterns. The children hang stockings and Santa is called Dun Che Lao Ren. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

Denmark Santa is known as Julemanden and he arrives in a sleigh pulled by reindeer with a sack full of gifts. Danish children know the elves as Juul Nisse, and believe that they live in the attics of their homes. Instead of cookies and glasses of milk, they leave rice pudding and saucers of milk out for them. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

England England was the first to use the Christmas tree during the reign of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Prince Albert came from the country of Germany and missed his native practice of bringing in trees to place on the tables in the house, so the royal couple brought a tree inside the Palace and decorated it with apples and other pretty items. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

England The second ‘Christmas’ custom in England is known as Boxing Day. It is celebrated the first weekday after Christmas. What this means is that small wrapped boxes with food and sweets, or small gifts, or coins are given to anyone who comes calling that day. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

England Santa is known as Father Christmas, wearing long red robes and had sprigs of holly in his hair. Instead of mailing out their Christmas list, children throw it into the fireplace and Father Christmas reads the smoke. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

England England is also where the tradition of hanging stockings by the chimney began, due to the fact that Father Christmas once accidentally dropped some gold coins on his way down the chimney which got caught in a drying stocking. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

England Another interesting thing is that instead of opening up their gifts as soon as they wake up, English children wait until the afternoon. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

France Santa is known as Pere Noel. He is accompanied by Pre Fouettard who keep track of who has been good or bad for Pere Noel. In some parts of France, Pere Noel brings small gifts in the beginning of December (Dec 6) and comes back to deliver more on Christmas. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

France In France the children get to open their gifts on Christmas, but the parents and other adults have to wait until New Years. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

India Houses are decorated with strings of mango leaves. Lights are place on the window sills and walls and a star is hung outside. A sweet holiday treat is made called thali and it is brought to neighbors and friends. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

Japan The Japanese decorate their stores and homes with greens. The only part of Christmas that they celebrate is the giving of gifts. HOTEIOSHA the priest is like our Santa Claus, and he brings the children their presents. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

The Netherlands Santa is known as Sinterklaas, and he came to Sweden originally by boat, setting out on December 6th from Spain. He makes his gift deliveries by horseback and children leave their shoes out, filled with hay and sugar for Sinterklaas' horse. In the morning they find their shoes filled with candy and nuts. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

Spain The children of Spain leave their shoes on the windowsills filled with straw, carrots, and barley for the horses of the Wise Men, who they believe reenact their journey to Bethlehem every year. One of the wise men is called Balthazar, who leaves the children gifts. They call Christmas Eve Nochebuena. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

Sweden The Swedish people call Santa Tomte, and see him as a gnome who comes out from under the floor of the house or barn carrying his sack of gifts for them. He rides in a sleigh drawn by a goat. JULKAPP is another custom, in Sweden. A present is wrapped in many layers of paper and then someone knocks on the door to a house and they leave their gift. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

Russia Santa was known as Saint Nicholas but today is called Grandfather Frost, wearing a blue outfit instead of red. The children will join hands and sing songs as they walk around their Christmas tree. They wait for DYET MOROZ Grandfather Frost, and his helper SYYEGORACHKA - the Snow Maiden to bring them their gifts. Click to continueChristmas Around the World

What are your Christmas traditions? Christmas Around the WorldThe End That’s Christmas around the world…