Christma s Symbols

On 25 December Great Britain and many other countries celebrate X-mas. Christmas Symbols are the most important part of Christmas.

Santa Claus Santa Claus is mostly shown as a fat and happy man wearing a red suit with white fur. Santa, as he is often known, lives in the North Pole with his wife, Mrs. Claus, some elves who build his toys, and reindeer who pull his sled.

Santa Claus was originally seen as wearing a green coat to symbolise peace. but sometime in the 1920's it was changed by the Coca Cola company for advertising reasons. Children write letters to Father Christmas to tell him what they would like for Christmas. Some children will send their letters by post or but the more traditional way is to throw the letters into the back of the fireplace. The draught then carries the letters up the chimney to Father Christmas.

Different names for Father Christmas around the world Austria: Christkind Belgium: Sinterklaas Canada: Santa Claus; Père Noël Denmark: Julemanden Estonia: Jõuluvana Finland: Joulupukki France: Père Noël Germany: Weihnachtsmann;

Hungary: Mikulás; Jézuska or Kis Jézus Italy: Babbo Natale; La Befana Netherlands & Flanders: Sinterklaas (not at Christmas but on December 6th) Norway: Julenissen Portugal: Pai Natal Poland: Święty Mikołaj (not at Christmas but on December 6th) Russia: Ded Moroz, ‘Grandfather Frost’ Spain: Los Reyes Magos Sweden: Jultomten Switzerland: Christkind United Kingdom: Father Christmas; Santa Claus United States: Santa Claus

Christmas Tree The traditional Christmas tree is evergreen, because green is the colour of life. The Christmas Tree came from Germany in the 16th century. It was brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans in the 1820's.

Mistletoe and Poinsettia Two hundred years before the birth of Christ, the Druids used mistletoe and poinsettia to celebrate the coming of winter. They believed the plants had special power for everything. Scandinavians also thought of mistletoe as a plant of peace and harmony. The custom of kissing under the mistletoe probably derived from this belief.

Candy Cane Candy canes have been around for centuries, but it wasn't until around 1900 that they were decorated with red stripes and bent into the shape of a cane. They were sometimes handed out during church services to keep the children quiet.

Christmas Crackers A Christmas cracker is a tube of brightly coloured paper. When pulled apart, it makes a sound like an explosion, but it does not hurt people. It usually contains a small gift and a joke. It is used at Christmas parties or Christmas dinner.

Reindeer Reindeer were the animals chosen by St. Nicholas to pull his sleigh. His reindeers' names are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. Rudolph the Red- nosed Reindeer is the most famous.

Stocking A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock- shaped bag that children hang on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins, or other small gifts when he arrives. Other presents are wrapped up in wrapping paper and placed under the Christmas tree. A child who behaves badly during the year will receive only a piece of coal.

Christmas star The Christmas star announced the birth of Christ. Many songs were written about it. The star appeared on many of the first Christmas cards in the 1840s. Stars were placed on the tops of Christmas Trees.

Gifts The day of gift-giving varies in different countries.... Dec.6th (St.Nicholas day) ; Dec. 24th ; Dec. 25th ; Dec. 26th (Boxing day) ; January 6th (Epiphany, Feast of the Wise Men, or the three Kings).

Carols In Britain many children go from house to house with an adult and sing carols. They usually receive money for their singing.

Natalia Moskal & Natalia Mackiewicz Społeczne Gimnazjum im.S.F. Klonowica 2007