2. Christmas Around the World

3. Christmas in Mexico Christmas in Mexico is full of posadas and piñatas.

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

5. Piñata Piñata means gift. It is a paper maché figure filled with presents. The piñata is hung from the ceiling. Then blindfolded boys and girls take turns trying to hit it with a stick. When it has cracked open, the children are showered with dolls, trinkets, candy and fruit.

6. Christmas in Italy La Befeana, a kind old witch, searches for good boys and girls and leaves gifts for them.

7. She makes a list If the children are good, La Befana leaves them presents. But, if you’re a bad boy or girl La Befana leaves you coal and ashes.

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

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

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

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

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

13. 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.

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

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

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

17. Elf Test your skill. Could you become an Elf for the Jolly Old Elf himself.

18. Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas