Christmas Around the World
Christmas in Mexico
• Christmas in Mexico is posadas and pinatas.
Posada
• A posada is a religious parade that takes place for nine days before Christmas. Children dress as Mary and Joseph and look of a place to stay.
Pinata
• Pinata means gift. It is a paper mache figure filled with presents. • The pinata is hung from the ceiling. • Then blindfolded boys and girls take turns trying to hit it with a stick. • When it is cracked opened the children are showered with dolls, trinkets, candy and fruit.
Christmas in Italy
• La Befana, a kind old witch, searches for good boys and girls to leave gifts for.
She makes a list
• If the children are good La Befeana leaves them presents. • But, if you’re a bad boy or girl La Befeana leaves you coals and ashes.
Christmas in Sweden
• Santa Lucia comes on December 13th. • The Christmas tree is decorated with real lighted candles.
Christmas in Holland
• Sinterklaas arrives in a steamboat from Spain with a white horse and dozens of helpers.
December 6th
• Children place their wooden shoes filled with carrots and hay by the fireplace for Sinterklaas’ horse.
Christmas in America
• Christmas in America is Christmas trees, gifts, tinsel, mistletoe, cards and that jolly old elf – Santa Claus.
Christmas Trees
• The Christmas tree is a custom taken from Germany. • The tree is covered with festive lights and colorful decorations.
Tinsel
• According to legend, a poor old woman was unable to provide decorations for her children’s Christmas tree. When she woke up she discovered that a spider had spun a magical silver web that covered the tree. • Today tinsel still adds a magical touch to our trees.
Mistletoe
• The evergreen leaves are a symbol of good luck. That is why it is hung in the doorway. • The kiss under the mistletoe is a symbol of peace.
Christmas Cards
• This is an English custom. • The first card was sent in 1870. • Today it is a holiday greeting for family and friend near and far away.
Christmas Gifts
• The custom of giving gifts goes back to when the Wise Men came to Bethlehem baring gift. • Today Santa Claus, Sinterklaas, La Befana, and Father Christmas all around the world deliver gifts on this special day.
Elf
• Test your skill. Could you becoming an Elf for the Jolly Old Elf himself.
Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas