So let’s begin:
- Around the World Advent: We made a list of countries round the world and looked at a different country up to and including Christmas day. We colored in the flag for each country and added it to the flat and looked for a fact pertaining to Christmas for each country. We used the Whychristmas.com site for finding our links and you can follow the links to each country. We intended to color in the traditional costume of the countries as well, but if the country wasn’t on these pages (page 1; page 2; page 3) then it didn’t happen!!! We weren’t alone in our travels: There was Christmas Around the World on CurrClick, and it was a great resource, I have linked them whenever relevant!!! We couldn’t think of a country beginning with X… if you have any inspiration then let us know!!!
A for Austria: Holiday Traditions had a page on Austria with lots of recipes.
B for Brazil: Celebrations begin with fireworks on Christmas Eve and if you leave a sock on the window sill then Papai Noel will exchange to sock for a gift. Passport Academy looked at Brazil in Christmas Around the World. The Holiday Spot also has a page on Brazil, a country with a hot Christmas like ours.
C for China: The Ironic thing about Christmas in China is that so many people there haven’t heard about Christmas yet as a country they make the most decorations. Jimmies Collage took a look at China. The Holiday Spot has a China page as well.
D for Denmark: Where children believe their gifts are bought by the Julemanden – the Christmas Man, who is helped by nisser. There is more about Denmark’s Traditions at the Holiday Spot.
E for Ethiopia: Christmas is called Ganna, they don’t exchange gifts, but go to church, feast and play games.
F for France: In France a Nativity scene made from clay is used to decorate the house and a sweet smelling yule log is burnt. Life: One Magnolia Scented Bubble Bath at a Time. The Virtual Museum of Canada has a great page on French and Canadian Christmas traditions. The Holiday Spot also has a page on French Christmas Traditions.
G for Greece: Children go Carol singing on Christmas Eve. They play drums and triangles and carry a gold boat covered in nuts.
H for Holland: The celebration begins on 5 December when children leave out their clogs hoping for gifts from Sinterklass.
I for India: Churches are decorated with Poinsettia flowers and and instead of a traditional Christmas Trees they often decorate banana or mango trees. Indian Christmas Traditions are shown on the Holiday Spot.
J for Japan: In Japan Christmas Day is not a holiday, it is a time to spread happiness rather than a religious holiday. Folks tend to go out for a romantic dinner on Christmas Eve. The Holiday Spot has interesting things to say about Christmas in Japan.
K for Kazakhstan: This country was formerly part of the USSR and only in recent years have christians been allowed to celebrate Christmas. Here is a link to a blog of someone who celebrated Christmas there.
L for Lebanon: They serve sugar coated almonds with their coffee when they visit friends.
M for Mexico: My kids loved hearing about the procession of Posada… Posada means inn in Spanish and children visit visit nine “inns.” The inns are decorated with moss and paper lanterns. At each inn they are told there is no room in the inn… until the last inn where they are welcomed into a fun party with pinatas of course. Holiday Traditions also has a page on Mexican Traditions and explains the Posada.
N for Norway: Where small gifts are left under the Christmas tree by hobgoblins called “nissen.” The Holiday Spot has a Norwegian Tradition page.
O for Oman: From what we could discover Oman is a Muslim country and they do not celebrate Christmas.
P for Pakistan: In Pakistan Christmas Day is a public holiday in memory of the founder of their country. There are relatively few Christian there and celebrations include carol singing. The houses are decorated with a star on them.
Q for Qatar: In a country with Christians scattered few and far between Christmas is not a big celebration in Qatar.
R for Russia: Scroll down this page for the story of Babushka. The Holiday Spot has a page on Russian Christmas Traditions.
S for Spain: Most folk in Spain go to mid-night mass on Christmas Eve and it is called “La Misa Del Gallo,” which means the mass of the rooster because a rooster was supposed to have crowed the night before baby Jesus was born. Chocolate on My Cranium dod a great post on Christmas in Spain. Holiday Traditions has a page on Spain and my kids all want to make the caramel custard!!!
T for Trinidad and Tobago: Christmas seems to be a very social time of year here with lots of preparation and partying.
U for United Kingdom: The Boxing Day tradition began here about 800 years ago when church collection boxes were open and the alms were distributed to the poor. Adventures of a Somewhat Crunchy Mama did a post on English Traditions. Holiday Traditions has a great page on England including how to make a Victoria Sandwich Cake.
V for Vietnam – Christmas is celebrated mostly on Christmas Eve in Vietnam – where they party in the streets and throw confetti, they also exchange gifts of food, especially a chocolate cake in the shape of a log.
W for Wales: In Wales they call caroling Eisteddfodde and they make taffy from brown sugar and butter at Christmas time.
Y for Yugoslavia: You have to follow the link to see how they celebrate mothers and fathers day in the weeks before Christmas.
Z for Zimbabwe – Christmas cards with snow scenes and wild animals are sent. On the day everyone wears their very best clothes…
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