Christmas givers.notebook December 08, 2019

The Gift Givers at Christmas

Beth MeasdayNow What? Training

Christmas givers.notebook December 08, 2019

Put the countries (from the Gallery) on the European continent.

Many European countries have a traditional 'Gift Giver' who brings the presents around Christmas time.

Clone the gift givers on the following pages and put them in the countries they visit.

Christmas givers.notebook December 08, 2019

Christmas EveChristmas Eve is the evening before Christmas Day. In some countries, the family decorates the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Many families attend a Church service on Christmas Eve.

Christmas DayChristmas Day is celebrated on December 25th. The date use to change until Pope Julius I in the 4th century fixed it on December 25th. Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus in the town of Bethlehem. Christians believe Jesus was God's son who was born to bring people closer to God.

EpiphanyIn the Christmas story, the baby Jesus was visited by shepherds. Wise Men or Magi also came from the east to find the new King of the Jews. They found the baby Jesus and gave him gold, frankincense and myrrh. Tradition says they arrived on January 6th and that day is called Epiphany.

Christmas givers.notebook December 08, 2019

In Italy, La Befana delivers gifts to good children. La Befana was too busy sweeping her house to join the Magi in their search for the Baby Jesus. She later changed her mind, but it was too late, so she delivers gifts to children instead. La Befana delivers gifts on Jan. 6th (Epiphany).

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La Befana

In Spain, the Three Kings, or Magi deliver the presents on Jan. 6th (Epiphany). It is called Los Reyes Day and every town and city has a procession through the town. People dressed as the Three Kings throw lollies from the procession floats. In the Christmas story, the Magi brought gifts to Baby Jesus.

Three Kings

Christmas givers.notebook December 08, 2019

In the United Kingdom, Father Christmas delivers the gifts on Christmas Day. Through advertising, Father Christmas, has become very similar to the American Santa Claus figure. He is the jolly fat man with a beard and a red suit.

JulenisseIn Norway children receive gifts from Julenisse, the Scandinavian Santa, and his pet goat Yuley on Christmas Eve. The Nisse are elves who live in barns so they watch everyone all year.If children have been good, Yuley knocks his horns against the front door three times. When they come to answer the knock – Julenisse greets them with a gift, and a small paper basket of candy to be hung on the Christmas tree.

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Father Christmas

Christmas givers.notebook December 08, 2019

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In Russia, Babushka gives the presents. According to tradition, Babushka also had a chance to join the Wise Men when they were searching for the new King of the Jews, but she said she couldn't as she was too old. When she changed her mind, it was too late so now she gives her presents to children.

Saint Nicholas visits children in Germany. Saint Nicholas was a Bishop in the church around 300AD and he helped people who were poor and especially children. He wears a long flowing red Bishop's robe, a Bishop's Mitre (or hat) and carries a crook. His Saint's day is December 6th and many children receive their gifts then from Saint Nicholas.

Saint Nicholas

Babushka

Christmas givers.notebook December 08, 2019

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Sinterklaas gives gifts to children who have been good in the Netherlands on December 6th - Saint Nicholas' Day. Sinterklaas arrives on a ship and then rides through the country on a white horse. He has a large book that tells him how the children have behaved.

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In France, Pere Noel brings the gifts to children who have been good.

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In Sweden a gnome called Juletomten brings gifts in a sleigh driven by goats.

SinterKlaas

Pere NoelJuletomten

Christmas givers.notebook December 08, 2019

Making linksDoes your family have a gift giving tradition? What date do you receive your presents?Can you see any similarity between the names of the gift givers? Why do you think that might be?Some of these gift givers operate in other countries of the world. Why do you think that might be? (Clue - Colonisation)

The file only gives a small amount of information. Choose a gift giver and find out more about them.

Christmas givers.notebook December 08, 2019

InstructionsPage 2 ­ Use the Gallery (Essentials for Educators > Geography > Maps > Europe > Europe) to drag out the countires and place them on the map. When they are moved close to the correct area, they will 'snap in'.Page 3 ­ Explains the Christmas terms used in the file.Pages 4 ­ 7 ­ Click on each of the 'Gift givers', click on the drop down arrow in the top right hand corner and select 'Clone'. Drag the cloned image onto page 2 and place on the correct country (or countries). The Auto­hide check box needs to be 'unticked'.Students can also write about the traditions that their family may observe with gift giving around Christmas.

Australian Curriculum ­ General Capabilities

Intercultural Understanding ­ Recognising Culture and developing respect

Level 3 ­ Explore and compare cultural knowledge beliefs and practices• describe and compare a range of cultural stories, events and

artefacts