Sweden God Jul!

Celebrate St. Lucia Day on Dec 13th

Families do everything by torch or candlelight

Light is the main theme of St. Lucia Day

Celebrated by an national parade where a person is picked to portray St. Lucia.

Finland Hyvää Joulua!

Usually visit the sauna

Listen to the “Peace of Christmas” radio broadcast

Traditional to visit the gravesites of departed family members

Norway Gledelig Jul!

Norway is the birthplace of the Yule Log

The holiday celebration is usually centered around the fireplace

Germany Froehliche Weihnachten! Originally was a winter solstice

celebration They were the first to start decorating

Christmas Trees! When Prince Albert married Queen

Victoria the tradition spread to England then eventually to the USA

Mexico Feliz Navidad!

In Mexico they hang a piñata from the ceiling and allow children to take turns hitting the piñata until it breaks, sending a shower of treats to the floor

Poinsettia plants originally came from Mexico from Joel R. Poinsett.

England Merry Christmas! An Englishman named John Calcott

Horsley helped to popularize the tradition of sending Christmas greeting cards

They celebrate Christmas much like we do.

Hanging stockings came from the legend of St. Nick

France Joyeux Noël!

In France, Christmas is called Noel. Which comes from a phrase which means “the good news”

In southern France they burn a log from Christmas eve to New Years Day to give them good luck for the next year

Italy Buone Natale!

Italians call Chrismas Il Natale, meaning "the birthday"

Italians celebrate numerous holidays throughout December and January

Ukraine Srozhdestvom Kristovym! The family prepares a traditional 12

course meal The youngest child watches in the

window for the evening star to appear Once the star appears the feast can

begin

Greece Kala Christouyenna! In Greece, many people believe in

kallikantzeri, goblins that appear to cause mischief during the 12 days of Christmas.

Gifts are usually exchanged on January 1, St. Basil's Day.