Christmas Around the World

United States and CanadaUnited States and CanadaCommon decorations include Christmas trees,

Ornaments, Lights, Wreaths, and Stockings

Children write letters to Santa asking for the presents they want

Presents are believed to be placed under the tree by Santa on Christmas Eve

Many attend Christmas Eve or Morning Church services.

England, Ireland, Scotland, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Walesand Wales

They send Christmas Cards

Hang mistletoe in hallways or a room

The day before Christmas groups of Kids or Adults go door to door singing Carols.

Kids will ask for $ for themselves. Adults ask for $ for Charity.

Put lit candles in their windows on Christmas Eve

Roasted Turkey is the common main Christmas Dinner Course.

Scottish people usually hold their main Christmas celebration on New Year’s Day.

FranceFranceFamilies decorate with small nativity scenes

Children put their shoes in front of their fireplace for Father Christmas to fill with gifts.

Many families attend midnight Mass then have a festive supper called Le reveillon

GermanyGermanyHave Christmas trees that they decorate with lights,

ornaments, and tinsel.

Spicy cakes called lebkuchen are made in various shapes and used as decorations.

Believe that Saint Nicholas visits children's homes on Saint Nicholas Eve, Dec. 5, and delivers candy and other sweets to be opened on Dec 6, St Nicholas Day

Then Christmas eve gifts are brought. South Germany families believes Christkind (Christ Child) brings the gifts

North German Families believe Weihnachtsmann (Christmas Man) brings them.

MexicoMexicoThe nine days before Christmas have special

importance. They are called posadas, which means inns or

lodgings.

On each day, they reenact Mary and Joseph's search for lodgings on the first Christmas Eve.

After each ceremony they feast and celebrate, then the kids break piñatas

In some parts kids receive gifts on Christmas day

In most parts, it is believed that the wise men leave the presents on the eve of Epiphany.

AfricaAfricaThe celebration of Christmas is not widespread.

But, they sing carols and hymns in their own languages.

Christmas is celebrated on

January 7th.

The major celebration takes

place nearly two weeks later

at Epiphany.

HanukkahHanukkahAlso known as ChanukahIt is the Jewish Feast of Lights or Feast of DedicationBegins on the eve of the 25th day of the Hebrew month

of Kislev (approximately December) Lasts 8 daysEach evening at sundown, the Hanukkah menorah is lit.

One candle per day. The 1st night-1 is lit. 2nd night- 2 are lit, so on

The menorah has 9 candlesThe one in the middle (called the Shamash) is used to light all the others

KwanzaaKwanzaaBegins on December 26 and lasts for seven days.

The holiday centers on the Nguzo Saba, seven principles of African American cultureUnity, Self-Determination, Collective work and

responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, faith.

Each evening, families light one of the seven candles in the kinara and discuss the day's principle.

Families exchange zawadi (gifts), which are usually homemade

Near the end of the holiday, the community gathers for a feast called karamu

To Sum It UpTo Sum It Up