Christmas Around the World

Posted on: 07/12/2015

Christmas Around the World

Christmas Around the World Christmas in England The 1st of December marks the beginning of the Christmas celebrations. We'll decorate inside and out, with sparkling displays lighting up our homes, and a beautifully decorated tree that stands proud in our living rooms. Shops will start their Christmas sales with festive window displays and Christmas music will start to play across most radio stations. Christmas Eve is often spent delivering presents for friends and family to open in the morning. Treats are often left out for Santa and his Reindeer when they stop by through the night, from milk and cookies, to a glass of wine/sherry/whiskey/brandy and a mince pie - and of course, we can't forget a carrot for Rudolph and his friends. Christmas is celebrated on 25th December, with families getting together to enjoy a turkey dinner (with all the trimmings), exchange presents, play games, have a laugh, and enjoy each others company. Boxing day, the day after Christmas is also celebrated. Families gather once again, but this time to enjoy the Christmas dinner left overs - turkey sandwiches, bubble and squeak, and lots of yummy chocolates!   Christmas in Australia Although they might share the same family values when it comes to Christmas, the festive period is a lot different down under! Phillip, an Australian member of the All-in-One Family, has been telling us all about the Christmas festivities that happen in Australia. Christmas dinner is often cooked on the BBQ, with lots of people gathering on the beach. Santa is often seen riding the waves rather than in his sleigh! Christmas in France Christmas celebrations in France don't often start until St Nicholas' Day on 6th December. On Christmas eve, Children put their polished shoes out in front of the chimney and hope that ‘Père Noël’ (Father Christmas) fills the shoes with sweets.   Christmas in the Philippines In the Philippines there is a special tradition of having a Christmas lantern, which is called ‘paról’; the lantern is star-shaped, remembering the star of Bethlehem, and mainly made out of bamboo and paper.   Christmas in Germany  In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Christmas markets are set up on main squares in many cities. Houses are often decorated with lights and ornaments in December, however the Christmas tree is usually only put up in the homes only in the morning of the 24th of December. Festive Christmas celebrations in Germany begin on the 24th of December, on Christmas Eve.   Christmas in China Christmas isn't that widely celebrated in the rural areas of China, but it's becoming more well known. The strange thing is that most of the world's plastic Christmas Trees and Christmas decorations are made in China, but the people making them might not know what they are for! A tradition that's becoming popular, on Christmas Eve, is giving apples. Many stores have apples wrapped up in colored paper for sale. 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.   Christmas in Russia and Ukraine Christmas is celebrated on 7th January and not the 25th December. This is because the Orthodox church uses the old Julian Calendar for religious celebration days. Some people fast, sometimes for 39 days (until 6th January). Then, when the first star appears in the sky, they tuck into a 12 course supper in honour of each of the 12 apostles.   How do you celebrate Christmas? We'd love to hear all about it! You could even send in your photos! We'd love to see how our All-in-Family spend Christmas.