Christmas around – world

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Since we haven’t done anything for the last couple days, mainly because I haven’t felt like it. I decided we would look up how different kids all over the world celebrated Christmas. I thought everyone else would enjoy it so I include some of the facts we found. We did however manage to watch all three Santa movies. So here are the top 25 thing we remember about the Santa movies and what we found out in our cool Santa book.

1) Santa clause is lactose intolerant until he becomes Santa.
2) every Santa has his own snow globe.
3) if your Santa don’t fall off the roof or you will disappear.
4) the escape clause- hold snow globe in your hand and wish you were never Santa, you will twirl around and got back to when it all began.
5) you don’t understand any santa stuff when you first begin
6) Santa eats lots off cookies
7) Mrs. Clause has a baby in third movie
8) Santa has to get married before Christmas eve in second movie
9) when you put on the Santa suit on you become Santa
10) he knows all the legendary figures
11) niece and son both loose their teeth
12) can only catch tooth fairy by his wings
13) cupids arrows don’t work on Santa
14) if you don’t believe you can’t become Santa
15) santa only lets you see him if you deserve it
16) Santa used to have green outfit when he started giving out gifts
17) he has magic feathers that put dogs to sleep
18) is he an alien or real
19) Santa makes time stand still so he can deliver toys to every good boy and girl
20) blitzen is the fastest reindeer
21) elves are never lazy or late to work
22) if you stand at the north pole whichever way you stand you will be facing south
23) “Arctic” comes from the Greek word for “bear”
24) every snowflake is different
25) Christmas is assume!

Japan Christmas
Only 1 per cent of Japanese people believe in Christ. Even so, most Japanese people decorate their stores and homes with evergreens during Christmas.

They have a Buddhist monk called Hotei-osho who acts like Santa Claus. He brings presents to each house and leaves them for the children. Some think he has eyes in the back of his head, so children try to behave like he is nearby.

German Christmas
Christmas preparations often begin on the eve of December 6th. People often set aside special evenings for baking spiced cakes and cookies, and making gifts and decorations. Little dolls of fruit are traditional Christmas toys.

Children leave letters on their windowsills for Christkind, a winged figure dressed in white robes and a golden crown who distributes gifts. Sometimes the letters are decorated with glue and sprinkled with sugar to make them sparkle.

Africa Christmas
Christmas day begins with groups of carolers walking to and fro through the village, along the roadway, by the houses of the missionaries, singing the lovely carols known the world around. Often people may be awakened by a group of carolers beginning to converge on the house of worship. They return home to make final preparation as to the clothes one must wear and also as to his offering for the Christmas service.

Chinese Christmas
The Christian children of China decorate trees with colorful ornaments. These ornaments are made from paper in the shapes of flowers, chains and lanterns. They also hang muslin stockings hoping that Christmas Old Man will fill them with gifts and treats.

The Chinese Christmas trees are called “Trees of Light.” Santa Claus is called Dun Che Lao Ren which means “Christmas Old Man.”.

The non-Christian Chinese call this season the Spring Festival and celebrate with many festivities that include delicious meals and pay respects to their ancestors. The children are the main focus of these celebrations, they receive new clothes and toys, eat delectable food and watch firecrackers displays.

French Christmas
On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel. In the morning they also find that sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys have been hung on the tree.

In cathedral squares, the story of Christ’s birth is re-enacted by both players and puppets.

Nearly every French home at Christmastime displays a Nativity scene or crèche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration. The crèche is often peopled with little clay figures called santons or “little saints.” In addition to the usual Holy Family, shepherds, and Magi, the craftsmen also produce figures in the form of local dignitaries and characters. The craftsmanship involved in creating the gaily colored santons is quite astounding and the molds have been passed from generation to generation since the seventeenth century. Throughout December the figures are sold at annual Christmas fairs in Marseille and Aix.

In Southern France, a log is burned in people’s homes from Christmas Eve until New Years Day. A long time ago, part of the log was used to make the wedge for the plough as good luck for the coming harvest.

About Chrissie

Follow our crazy journey across America as we visit roadside oddities, historical land marks and beautiful landscapes. I have ton of ideas and review educational products that will help you get the most on your home school adventure. We are an Unschool family that believes the world is our classroom and is teaching our children to self direct their education to a better future.

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