Tradition is at the heart of Christmas. Whether your tradition is giving
ornaments as gifts, enjoying hot cocoa by the fire, or leaving milk and cookies
for Santa, it’s an important part of the fun of Christmas. Check out some Christmas Eve traditions from
around the world.
England
Many families with children end
Christmas Eve by hanging up Christmas stockings. Children hope that Father
Christmas or Santa Claus, will visit the house during the night. He enters
homes by climbing down the chimney and, if he thinks that the children have
been well-behaved all year, fills the stockings with presents, gifts and
sweets.
Germany
Christmas Eve (Heiliger Abend) is
celebrated in Germany on December 24. It is the last day of Advent and the start of
the Christmas season. Many people spend the afternoon and evening decorating
Christmas trees, attending church services, eating traditional dishes and
opening Christmas presents.
Norway
A tradition that dates back centuries, in Norway, on Christmas Eve,
everyone hides their brooms. It’s said they’re hid to ensure witches and evil
spirits wouldn’t find them to ride on.
Austria
It may sound more like Halloween than Christmas, but for Christmas Eve
in Austria, St. Nicholas’ evil partner Krampus comes out to scare the kids! The
“beast” is said to frighten the little ones who weren’t on Santa’s nice list.
Philippines
Christmas Eve is very important in the
Philippines. Many people stay awake all night into Christmas day! During
Christmas Eve evening, Christians go to church to hear the last 'simbang gabi'
or the Christmas Eve mass. This is followed by a midnight feast, called Noche Buena.
Japan
Although it is not an official holiday the
Japanese tend to celebrate Christmas, especially in a commercial way. They
celebrate Christmas Eve by eating a 'Christmas Cake' which the father of the
family purchases on his way home from work. In recent years, thanks to the
marketing prowess of the folks at Kentucky Fried Chicken, it’s now a tradition to enjoy a feast of K.F.C. for
dinner with your loved ones.
No comments:
Post a Comment