23rd December 2016
Dec. 23rd, 2016 12:01 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
silvs_advent_dwWhere does Santa leave your Christmas presents?
When I was growing up I had a Christmas stocking (one of Dad's socks) on my bed and other 'Santa' presents downstairs.
My boys had Christmas stockings I bought which are a bit larger and which hang on the fireplace waiting for Santa to fill them. They also had red pillowcases for bigger Santa presents but family presents go under the tree. Of course, they are both adults now but when I suggested that they were too old for stockings and pillowcases a couple of years ago they quickly put me right!
In Hungary, children do not hang up stockings to be filled. Instead, they get their best boot, polish it, and then put it on the windowsill for Mikolás to fill up with sweets, small presents, and "switches" - just in case anyone has been bad. In the countryside, children dress up in traditional folk costumes and go from house to house, knocking on the door. They ask to be allowed to tell the Christmas legend as a story, in verse or acted out. They are rewarded with a gift of money.
Instead of a Christmas stocking it's traditional in France for children to place their shoes in front of the fireplace in the hope that Father Christmas or Papa Noel will fill them with small gifts. Originally clogs were placed by the fire which is why it's common to see chocolate clogs in many patisseries.
In Italy on 6th of December, many families celebrate St Nicholas Day. Children write letters to St Nicholas asking for gifts and they hang up either a sock or put a plate on the table on Nicholas day’s eve. Gifts are exchanged on January 6; that is the day of Epiphany. Then ‘la befana’, an old lady, comes in search to the houses for search of the Christ Child.
In China, only about one percent of people are Christians, so most people only know a few things about Christmas. Because of this, Christmas is only often celebrated in major cities. In these big cities there are Christmas Trees, lights and other decorations on the streets and in department stores.
In Japan, Christmas in known as more of a time to spread happiness rather than a religious celebration. Christmas eve is often celebrated more than Christmas Day. Christmas eve is thought of as a romantic day, in which couples spend together and exchange presents.
Christmas in Indonesia (locally known as Natal, from the Portuguese word for Christmas), which has approximately 25 million Christians is celebrated with various traditions throughout the country. In the regions with a majority of Christians, there are Christmas celebrations with ceremonies and local food. In big cities, the shopping centres are mostly decorated with plastic Christmas trees and Sinterklas (derived from the Dutch word Sinterklaas). Most local television channels broadcast Christmas musical concerts and the annual, national Christmas celebration which is organised by the government. In addition to traditional foods, generally every Christmas Day is filled with cookies, like nastar (pineapple tart) and kastengel (from Dutch word kaasstengel).
In Argentina the weather is warm at Christmas. Preparations for Christmas begin very early in December and even in November. Many people in Argentina are Catholic and they also celebrate Advent. Houses are beautifully decorated with lights and wreaths of green, gold, red and white flowers.
In Australia it's a national public holiday and people observe the day with friends and family, coming together to swap presents and enjoy good food and drink. It can be hot and humid during December, which is in the middle of summer in Australia. So Christmas is celebrated differently there compared to the northern hemisphere, where it's the middle of winter. In Australia it's more likely there will be beer on the beach, rather than mulled wine and markets. The food eaten here will also be lighter, with seafood a popular choice.
These are just samples of Christmas traditions around the world. However, you choose to celebrate the festive season, I hope you have a wonderful time.
Come back tomorrow for the final advent post - another Christmas tradition around here - The Christmas Crack!
When I was growing up I had a Christmas stocking (one of Dad's socks) on my bed and other 'Santa' presents downstairs.
My boys had Christmas stockings I bought which are a bit larger and which hang on the fireplace waiting for Santa to fill them. They also had red pillowcases for bigger Santa presents but family presents go under the tree. Of course, they are both adults now but when I suggested that they were too old for stockings and pillowcases a couple of years ago they quickly put me right!
In Hungary, children do not hang up stockings to be filled. Instead, they get their best boot, polish it, and then put it on the windowsill for Mikolás to fill up with sweets, small presents, and "switches" - just in case anyone has been bad. In the countryside, children dress up in traditional folk costumes and go from house to house, knocking on the door. They ask to be allowed to tell the Christmas legend as a story, in verse or acted out. They are rewarded with a gift of money.
Instead of a Christmas stocking it's traditional in France for children to place their shoes in front of the fireplace in the hope that Father Christmas or Papa Noel will fill them with small gifts. Originally clogs were placed by the fire which is why it's common to see chocolate clogs in many patisseries.
In Italy on 6th of December, many families celebrate St Nicholas Day. Children write letters to St Nicholas asking for gifts and they hang up either a sock or put a plate on the table on Nicholas day’s eve. Gifts are exchanged on January 6; that is the day of Epiphany. Then ‘la befana’, an old lady, comes in search to the houses for search of the Christ Child.
In China, only about one percent of people are Christians, so most people only know a few things about Christmas. Because of this, Christmas is only often celebrated in major cities. In these big cities there are Christmas Trees, lights and other decorations on the streets and in department stores.
In Japan, Christmas in known as more of a time to spread happiness rather than a religious celebration. Christmas eve is often celebrated more than Christmas Day. Christmas eve is thought of as a romantic day, in which couples spend together and exchange presents.
Christmas in Indonesia (locally known as Natal, from the Portuguese word for Christmas), which has approximately 25 million Christians is celebrated with various traditions throughout the country. In the regions with a majority of Christians, there are Christmas celebrations with ceremonies and local food. In big cities, the shopping centres are mostly decorated with plastic Christmas trees and Sinterklas (derived from the Dutch word Sinterklaas). Most local television channels broadcast Christmas musical concerts and the annual, national Christmas celebration which is organised by the government. In addition to traditional foods, generally every Christmas Day is filled with cookies, like nastar (pineapple tart) and kastengel (from Dutch word kaasstengel).
In Argentina the weather is warm at Christmas. Preparations for Christmas begin very early in December and even in November. Many people in Argentina are Catholic and they also celebrate Advent. Houses are beautifully decorated with lights and wreaths of green, gold, red and white flowers.
In Australia it's a national public holiday and people observe the day with friends and family, coming together to swap presents and enjoy good food and drink. It can be hot and humid during December, which is in the middle of summer in Australia. So Christmas is celebrated differently there compared to the northern hemisphere, where it's the middle of winter. In Australia it's more likely there will be beer on the beach, rather than mulled wine and markets. The food eaten here will also be lighter, with seafood a popular choice.
These are just samples of Christmas traditions around the world. However, you choose to celebrate the festive season, I hope you have a wonderful time.
Come back tomorrow for the final advent post - another Christmas tradition around here - The Christmas Crack!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2016-12-23 01:39 am (UTC)I didn't realize that the traditions in my neighbouring countries -Hungary and Italy- differed that much from ours!
If I don't have the time to read your last post tomorrow, let me take the chance to thank you for this wonderful advent calendar! I loved each and every post and it really brightened my advent!
I hope you have a wonderful time as well, sweety! Happy Christmas! *hugs*
no subject
Date: 2017-01-05 08:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-01-07 02:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-12-23 11:54 am (UTC)That sounds nice. I love the 'traditions', but sometimes the commercialism gets in the way . . .
no subject
Date: 2017-01-05 08:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-12-23 12:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-01-05 08:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-12-23 05:41 pm (UTC)We had stockings and pillowcases and big presents were left under the tree.
no subject
Date: 2017-01-05 12:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-12-23 06:56 pm (UTC)We celebrated Sinterklaas on December 5th. I still don't buy presents at Christmas.
That's not what I think Christmas is about. As a Christian I celebrate the birth of Christ,
the new light in the world.
Still, nice to see how other countries celebrate Christmas!
*hugs*
no subject
Date: 2017-01-05 12:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-01-05 08:00 pm (UTC)We never did, not when I was young and not when I had a family of my own. *g*
I know one thing for sure, it gives me peace and quiet when others run around
trying to find the best gift ever. ;)