Christmas Around the World

Christmas in Mexico

• Christmas in Mexico is full of posadas and piñatas.

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.

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.

Christmas in Italy

• La Befeana, a kind old witch, searches for good boys and girls and leaves gifts for them.

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.

Christmas in Sweden

• Santa Lucia is celebrated on December 13th.

• The Christmas tree is decorated with real lighted candles.

Christmas in Holland

• Sinterklaas arrives in a steamboat from Spain with a white horse and dozens of helpers.

December 6th

• Children place their wooden shoes filled with carrots and hay by the fireplace for Sinterklaas’ horse.

Christmas in America

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

Christmas Trees

• The Christmas tree is a custom taken from Germany.

• The tree is covered with festive lights and colourful decorations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Elf

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

Wishing Youa Very Merry Christmas