Christmas Around the World

Christmas in Mexico Christmas in Mexico is about posadas and piñatas.

Posada A posada is a religious parade that takes place for nine days before Christmas. Children dress as Mary and Joseph and look of a place to stay.

Pinata Pinata means gift. It is a paper mache figure filled with presents. The pinata is hung from the ceiling. Then blindfolded boys and girls take turns trying to hit it with a stick. When it is cracked opened the children are showered with dolls, trinkets, candy and fruit.

Christmas in Sweden Christmas begins in Sweden with the Saint Lucia ceremony. Before dawn on the morning of 13 December, the youngest daughter from each family puts on a white robe with a red sash. She wears a crown of evergreens with tall-lighted candles attached to it. She wakes her parents, and serves them with coffee and Lucia buns. The other children accompany her. The boys dressed as star boys in long white shirts and pointed hats.

Christmas in Sweden Santa Lucia comes on December 13th. The Christmas tree is decorated with real lighted candles.

Christmas in Holland Sinterklaas arrives in a steamboat from Spain with a white horse and dozens of helpers.

December 6th Children place their wooden shoes filled with carrots, apples and hay by the fireplace for Sinterklaas’ horse.

Christmas in Italy The Christmas season in Italy goes for three weeks, starting 8 days before Christmas known as the Novena. During this period, children go from house to house reciting Christmas poems and singing. In some parts shepherds bring musical instruments into the villages, play and sing Christmas songs.

Christmas in Italy La Befana, a kind old witch, searches for good boys and girls to leave gifts for.

La Befeana makes a list If the children are good La Befeana leaves them presents in shoes. But, if you’re a bad boy or girl La Befeana leaves you coals and ashes.

Christmas in Brazil Papai Noel (Father Noel) is the gift-bringer in Brazil. According to legend, he lives in Greenland. When he arrives in Brazil, he usually wears silk clothing due to the summer heat. Decorations include fresh flowers picked from the garden. Fireworks go off in the skies over the cites and huge Christmas "trees" of electric lights can be seen against the night skies in major cities such as Brasilia, San Paolo, and Rio de Janeiro.

Christmas in America Christmas in America is Christmas trees, gifts, tinsel, mistletoe, cards and that jolly old elf – Santa Claus.

Christmas Trees The Christmas tree is a custom taken from Germany. The tree is covered with festive lights and colorful decorations.

Tinsel According to legend, a poor old woman was unable to provide decorations for her children’s Christmas tree. When she woke up she discovered that a spider had spun a magical silver web that covered the tree. Today tinsel still adds a magical touch to our trees.

Mistletoe The evergreen leaves are a symbol of good luck. That is why it is hung in the doorway. The kiss under the mistletoe is a symbol of peace.

Christmas Cards This is an English custom. The first card was sent in 1870. Today it is a holiday greeting for family and friend near and far away.

Christmas Gifts The custom of giving gifts goes back to when the Wise Men came to Bethlehem bearing gift. Today Santa Claus, Sinterklaas, La Befana, and Father Christmas all around the world deliver gifts on this special day.

Christmas Tree