Christmas Around The World

 

Christmas Around The World

At Christmas, Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Traditional Christmas decoration often can be admired and festive celebrations can be joined in most countries, even in many of the countries where Christianity is not the religion of the majority of people. Christmas trees are a popular decoration as are tiny sparkling lights in windows and on walls.

source: https://www.britannica.com/story/alternative-christmas-visitors

 

France    Christmas Decorations in Strasbourg/France

 Christmas Decorations in Strasbourg/France

In many regions in France, Christmas celebrations start with St Nicholas day on the 6th of December. Then children get sweets and little gifts.+

Many cities in France are decorated during the weeks leading up to Christmas and children love to open the 24 little windows of their Advent calendar. In the Alsace region, the tradition of putting up decorated Christmas trees dates back as far as the 14th century. Towns and cities are also illuminated with Christmas lights.

On Christmas eve, Children put their polished shoes out in front of the chimney and hope that ‘Père Noël’ (Father Christmas) fills the shoes with sweets. Christmas Day, 25th of December is a public holiday and families get together for a big feast. On this day also presents are exchanged.

A special outing for many families during the festive season is this year an evening visit to the magical illuminated world of the Jardin des Plantes in Paris.

You can take a  short look of this exhibition by clicking to the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6RzB0JRSVg

 

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.

Nativity Scene in Italy

Nativity Scene in Italy

The nativity scene display with a crib filled with straw, originally stems from Italy and is now common occurrence in many countries around the world. In Italy, ‘Babbo Natale’, that's how Father Christmas is called in Italian, hands out presents to children on Christmas Day. Still in many families, gifts are exchanged only on 6 th of January  which is the Day of Epiphany. In Italy, the people wish each other ‘Buon Natale’, which means 'Merry Christmas'.

You can find more about celebrations and traditions of Christmas in Italy here: https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/christmas-in-italy.html

Germany

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, festive Christmas markets are set up on main squares in many cities.

Christmas Market in Nuremberg/Germany

Houses are often decorated with fairy lights and festive ornaments in December, however, in Germany the Christmas tree is usually only put up and decorated at the homes in the morning of the 24th of December.

Festive Christmas celebrations in Germany begin on the 24th of December, on Christmas Eve. Shops close early on Christmas eve, so remember that you have to get your Christmas shopping done until lunchtime. The 26th of December is a public holiday in Germany too and many families celebrate on this day together, go to Church or enjoy a little excursion to a nearby park.

Watch the video about Christmas markets in Germany

England

Often the house owners collect donations from visitors to their displays in aid of local charities. So remember if you like a display place some spare coins into the honesty boxes and help the good causes.

Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Day, the 25th of December. 26 December is a bank holiday as well. On Boxing Day, the 26th of December, friends and family are usually visited to exchange gifts.

Follow this link and find 10 interesting facts about Christmas in the UK :
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expatica.com%2Fuk%2Flifestyle%2Fholidays%2Fchristmas-in-the-uk-103562%2F&psig=AOvVaw38EqqCjaA0x_dIeBWpc6Kq&ust=1702304607921000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCNC5mIiJhYMDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

Which country would you like to visit during Christmas holidays?

 

Source of information:
https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/christmas-around-the-world.html

 

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