Christmas Around the World

By Smart Tatjana Lipovac

United Kingdom

• There are lots of Christmas traditions in the UK.

• Children like to hang stockings for Father Christmas to fill with small gifts.

• The traditions of kissing under the mistletoe and carol singing come from the UK.

United States

• In the United States Santa Claus brings presents for children on Christmas Eve.

• Lots of houses are decorated with bright lights and other Christmas decorations.

• A big family meal is eaten on Christmas Day.

Italy

• In Italy families make Presepio which is a representation of the nativity scene.

• A female version of Santa called La Befana flies on a broom and delivers stockings full of presents to children on January 6th.

Germany

• In Germany the Christmas tree is the centre of Christmas celebration.

• Each year Germans have markets selling all kinds of decorations.

• Advent calendars and wreaths are very popular.

Spain• In Spain Christmas Eve is known as

Nochebuena or “The Good Night”. It is the time for family members to gather around the nativity scenes that are present in nearly every home.

• Children receive gifts on the feast of Ephiphany. They leave their shoes on the windowsills and fill them with straw, carrots and barley for the horses of the Wise Men.

Serbia

• In Serbia “Božić Bata” is believed to bring gifts to children.

• Serbs belong to Orthodox Church and it is customary to fast until after the first church service on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve dinner is meatless but festive.