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 Youa Very Merry Christmas