christmas traditions around the world december

© 2012 The Weekly Plan. All rights reserved.
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD
Most of us are familiar with the traditions of a Christmas
on this side of the world. We are also familiar with many
of the English and American traditions, as a lot of them
have shaped how we celebrate Christmas.
However, there is a whole world of fun and sometimes
crazy Christmas traditions out there that you may not be so
familiar with…
First up is the Christmas pickle! Some say this tradition
originated in Spain, while others claim it was Germany. A
pickle ornament is hidden in the Christmas tree and the
first person to find the pickle amongst all the other
ornaments receives an extra present on Christmas day!
In the Mexican city of Oaxaca, you know it is Christmas
when you see radishes lining the central plaza! This
Mexican tradition involves radish figures being carved in
the shape of the nativity scene as well as famous historical
characters. Talented local sculptors create detailed
figurines, all from the common radish!
In Norway, there is a tradition of hiding the household
broom on Christmas Eve. This is to prevent witches and
evil spirits stealing the broom and flying though the skies,
causing havoc down below.
In Venezuela, the busy streets of Caracas are shut before
8am every morning of the week before Christmas. This
allows the streets to be open to people attending early
morning mass which is very popular. However, they make
their way to mass in a unique way…on roller skates!
While we decorate our Christmas tree with lights, tinsel and
decorations, in the Ukraine tree decorations look a little
different…they decorate their trees with spider webs! Folk
lore has it that many years ago, a poor family woke up on
Christmas morning to find their once bare tree decorated
with spider webs that shimmered beautifully in the morning
sunlight. Now every year this story is remembered by
people decorating their trees with sparkling webs.
DECEMBER
It would appear Christmas is a little bit tougher on the
children in Belgium than it is on us…In Belgium, Santa
visits them just like he does us, however he also has a
helper who is tough on the kids. The helper goes
sneaking around from December 6th spying on
children and noting all the naughty things they get up
to. He then passes his notes onto Santa Claus in time
for Christmas. If a child has been good they receive
presents but if they have been deemed naughty, he or
she will receive sticks for Christmas!
In Holland, the most important day during the
Christmas Celebrations is 5th December, when
Sinterklaas visits. Children leave clogs or shoes out
to be filled with presents. If they leave some hay and
carrots out for the reindeer, they will be left lollies.
Children are told that Zwarte Piet keeps a record of all
the things they have done in the past year and that
good children will get presents but bad children will
get chased with a stick! (Hmmm, sounds a bit like the
traditions in Belgium.) Sinterklaas parties are often
held with treasure hunt games played. Children follow
clues to find little presents left by Sinterklaas.
Christmas isn't that widely celebrated in many parts of
China, as less than 1% of the population is Christian,
however it is becoming more well known. A
Christmas Eve tradition that's becoming popular is
giving apples. Many stores sell apples wrapped in
coloured paper. People give apples on Christmas Eve
because in Chinese, Christmas Eve is called 'Ping An
Ye' (which means quiet or silent night) and the word
for apple in Chinese is 'Ping Guo' which sounds
similar.
© 2012 The Weekly Plan. All rights reserved.
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD
On Christmas Eve In the Czech Republic, unmarried
Czech women practice a traditional fortune telling
method to predict whether or not they’ll get married in
the coming year. They stand with their back to a door
and toss one of their shoes over their shoulder. If it lands
with the toe facing the door it means they will get
married, if it lands with the heel facing the door, they’ll
have to wait another year.
And finally, the weirdest Christmas tradition may just go
to Catalonia. It is called ‘The Pooping Log’ and it starts
with a hollowed out log, which is propped up on four little
sticks and then painted to have a face. Every night,
beginning December 8th, the log is “fed” and covered
with a blanket (so that he doesn’t catch a cold). On
Christmas Eve or Christmas day the log is put in the
fireplace, beaten with a stick and ordered to “poop”. It is
encouraged, along with the beating, by singing songs
with catchy lyrics. The log then ‘poops’ candies, nuts,
and other treats!
DECEMBER
Discussion Questions
From the text
1.
In which country did the tradition of
hanging cobwebs on a tree come from?
2.
Which vegetable is used to make
sculptures in Mexico?
3.
In Belgium, what will you receive instead
of a present if you are naughty?
4.
What does Sinterklaas put the children’s
presents into in Holland?
5.
Why might you see women throwing
shoes over their shoulders in the Czech
Republic?
Challenge
Write down the traditions that your family follow
at Christmas time.