Christmas Around the World

Finland

Villagers cut pine boughs and pile them from a hill to the center of the village for a long green carpet for the Christ Child. On Christmas Day they eat a special St. Stephen's Day porridge. Cookies are an important Christmas treat. At Christmas time people leave extra grain for the birds because all the seeds, nuts, and insects are covered with snow.

France

Children place their shoes on the doorstep in hopes that Le Petit Noël (the Christ Child) will put gifts in them. Mistletoe is used as a symbol of good luck. In Provence, southeastern France the entire family helps bring in the Yule log which will burn from Christmas to New Year's Day. They enjoy eating Strasbourg (liver) pie and black pudding at Christmas.

Germany

Some families have Christmas trees in their home for each member of the family. The trees are decorated with lights and candy. Lübecker marzipan is a favorite candy for the tree which is almond that can be colored or shaped to look like meat, fruits, or toys. German families make their own gifts. Women and girls spend weeks embroidering handkerchiefs or sofa cushions. Boys carve figures of men and animals from wood and paint them. On Christmas Eve everyone gathers for Bescherung which means ceremony to light the Christmas tree. The children receive gifts afterward. Roast goose is enjoyed for Christmas dinner.

Great Britain

Children hang their stockings by the fireplace, in hopes that Father Christmas will fill them with treats. The day after Christmas, Boxing Day, is when families give money to those who have served them throughout the year. An old english dinner includes brawn which is headcheese, roast peacock, boar's head, and mutton pies. English pies were orginally baked in the shape of a manger.

Italy

People fast (go without no food or little food) before Christmas day. At the end of the day the family has a ceremony around the Presepio which is a miniature scene of Bethlehem with tiny figures of the Holy Family, shepherds, and wise men. While the family prays, the mother puts Bambino (infant Jesus) in the manger. Then Christmas gifts are brought in and distributed. La Befana, a fairy queen, comes down the chimney with gifts on epiphany, January 6th. Children listen for the bell she rings. Italians enjoy baked Magi cakes (small wafers) with fried eels, chicken, and pork at Christmas.

Norway

The yuletide season starts on St. Thomas' Day, December 21st. On Christmas Eve they bake cakes especially for St. Thomas. Another custom is ringe in Julen which means ringing in the Christmas. On Christmas Eve church bells are rung throughout the country at 4 o'clock which is a symbol for welcoming Christmas. Their Christmas pudding contains an almond. The people believe the person who gets the almond in their portion of the pudding will be the next to be married.

Poland

People fast the entire day and have a feast at nightfall. An empty chari for the Holy Child is always at the festive table. Straw is scattered to remind everyone of the stable where Christ was born. They bake small wafers called oplatski which are stamped with small figures and blessed by the priest. They exchange oplatski like other people exchange Christmas cards.

Spain

People enjoy dancing at Christmas time. After midnight mass on Christmas Eve, the streets fill with people dancing. For hundreds of years Jota, Christmas words and music, has been handed down. Their Nativity scene is called the Nacimiento.

Sweden

Celebration of the Christmas season begins on St. Lucia's Day, December 13th. Children believe elves called Juul Nisse help them with their holiday tasks. The children leave food on the table at night for the elves to thank them. Fish called lutfisk is served as the main dish. Juulgrot is also enjoyed which is a pudding made of rice and milk.

Switzerland

On Christmas Eve the young people visit nine fountains on their way to midnight church services. The person takes three sips of water from each fountain. There is a legend that says if they do this, they will find their future husband or wife waiting at the church door. Some people also believe at midnight on Christmas Eve, animals can speak and they kneel down in honor of the Christ Child.