The document summarizes Christmas traditions in several countries around the world. It discusses how Christmas Eve is celebrated in France with gift giving and midnight mass. In Sweden, the Christmas season begins on December 13th and gifts are delivered by Juletomte, a small elf-like figure. In Mexico, the holidays begin on December 16th and feature posadas and children leaving shoes filled with straw.
2. France “Cake of the Kings” is used in the January 6 celebration. Christmas Eve is for gift giving. At midnight, on Christmas Eve, the grownups attend a special mass.
3. Sweden In Sweden the Christmas season begins on December thirteenth. A small elf-like figure, Juletomte, brings the gifts. He puts them on the floor and then leaves.
4. Mexico In Mexico the holidays begin on December sixteenth. The posada is a procession that shows Mary and Joseph looking for a room in the inn before Baby Jesus was born. Children put a pair of empty shoes with some straw for the Nacimiento.
5. Israel Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Maccabbes over the Syrians in 165 B.C. Today, Jewish families celebrate the Festival of Lights by lighting a special candelabra, called a menorah. After lighting the menorah, Jewish families play games and exchange gifts.
6. Africa On Christmas morning nearly everyone goes to church. Many families celebrate with a big dinner . Sweet cakes are made and are Special treats given to the farm people.
7. Germany In some parts of Germany a girl called Kristkind brings the gifts. Hans Trapp, a terrible demon, goes with her. He waves a stick and threatens children who have been bad!
8. Mexico In Mexico the holidays begin on December 16. The day for giving gifts does not come until January 6. Children put a pair of empty shoes with some straw for the Nacimiento.
9. Germany The tannenbaum, or Christmas tree, is a custom that comes from Germany. German women spend many hours making gifts. The men carve figures from wood and paint them bright colors.
10. Sweden In Sweden the Christmas season begins on December 13. A small elf-like figure, Juletomte, brings the gifts. Christmas Day is a quiet, religious day,
11. England England was the first country to use Christmas cards. Holly and ivy are used to decorate homes, stores, and churches. Father Christmas slips into the house on Christmas Eve and fills the stockings with treats.
12. United States In the United States Christmas brings together many customs from other countries. On Christmas Eve the children hang their stockings. Santa fills the stockings and leaves special gifts by the tree.
13. France In France most families enjoy two Christmases. The family sings Christmas carols. Christmas Eve is for gift giving.
14. Holland The night before Sinterklaas Day, children place wooden shoes by the fireplace. If they are naughty, Zwarte Piet may swat them with a stick or take them to Spain in his big bag. Christmas Day is very quiet and is celebrated with family and at church.
15. United States All of the family members decorate the Christmas Tree and home. Santa comes with his sleigh and reindeer. Many families go to church.
