How to celebrate Christmas?

Northern Europe

In Germany, celebrating Christmas is still one of the traditions in most areas. German 12 February 25th, a bit like China's Spring Festival. Families will have dinner together, listen to music and talk about their life for a year after dinner. Children will spend Christmas at school or make their own handicrafts in their spare time, or buy gifts for their parents with pocket money. Then 12 On February 26th, relatives will visit your home or your parents will take you to visit your relatives' home, which is a bit like the day after China returned to China. After Saint Nicholas, Christmas basically belongs to children's festivals. Generally, real Christmas presents are given on the eve of Christmas. After a simple dinner, Christmas presents will be placed under the Christmas tree. Traditionally, Christmas dinner is on February 25th, 65438. The main course is usually poultry (a typical example is roast goose). Christmas presents are brought by Weihnachtsmann (literally translated as Santa Claus) who looks like Saint Nicholas, or sometimes by a naughty child Christkind, who may or may not represent Jesus as a baby. Commercially, Striezelmarkt is definitely the Christmas gift making center in the world, which is also the pride of the eastern German city of Dresden. Carefully produced and printed products are sold all over the world. But in recent years, with the influx of toys from China, it has brought a lot of pressure to local enterprises in Dresden. Even some companies began to plan to move their workshops to Eastern Europe, Turkey and even Asia, so as to improve the price competitiveness of their products.

In Sweden, traditionally, companies invite employees to Christmas parties one week before Christmas. 0? 2rg？ 0? 2sbord lunch (julbord or jullunch). In order to prevent possible food poisoning during Christmas, Swedish newspapers have traditionally spared no effort to report some laboratory test results every year, warning the public not to keep cold meat and mayonnaise at room temperature to avoid spoilage. Everywhere in Sweden, Christmas is a time to enjoy food. The focus of Christmas dinner is still roast ham, but in different places, which day is different. However, there is a custom in Sweden to watch Disney's special program on time at 3 pm on Christmas Eve, that is, 65438+February 24th.

The Christmas dinner in Norway will be held on February 24th, 65438, when "Julenissen" will bring gifts to the well-behaved children. After a quiet reunion with their families on February 25th, 65438, there will be another grand celebration after Boxing Day, when children will be entertained from door to door in their neighbors' houses. Joulupukki (or Christmas goat) is the Finnish version of Santa Claus. He sat on a sleigh pulled by reindeer and gave presents to well-behaved children.

Southern Europe

Christmas in Italy combines modern traditions with the custom of celebrating Natale Festival left by Roman ancestors. The possibility of Christmas coming on the same day originated from the pagan celebrations in Shennongjia, ancient Rome, and their festivals began on this day until Epiphany. Food, religious ceremonies, Christmas decorations and gifts are all key items. In some areas, gifts are given by La Befana on Epiphany, while in other areas, gifts are given by Little Jesus on Christmas or Christmas Eve.

China and the European Union

In Czech Republic and China, it is mainly on February 24th, 65438 or Christmas Eve (? tēdr？ 0? 5 den means generosity day) to celebrate Christmas On this night, people will give gifts to each other. Although February 25th and 26th of 12 is ok, according to tradition, the gift is from Je? í? Ek ("little Jesus") still brought it. In order to make the festival more interesting, many ancient Christmas traditions have been preserved. People are warned not to eat anything on Christmas Eve until the formal dinner is ready, so as to see the shiny roast pig. Gifts are placed under the Christmas tree (usually spruce or pine). People will open presents after dinner.

In addition, the traditional Christmas customs in the Czech Republic also include predictions for the coming year. They cut the apple, and if they can see the apple core at first, it indicates good luck in the coming year. If not, it indicates bad luck in the coming year. A girl throws her shoes on her shoulders. If the toe of the shoes points in the direction of the door, it indicates that the girl will get married in the coming year. Another tradition is to pour a little molten lead into water and guess the transportation mode in the coming year according to the shape of lead in water.

In Poland, Christmas Eve is the first day of a banquet. When the first star appeared on Christmas Eve, the party began, and then people began to give gifts to each other. The next day, people will visit relatives and friends.

In Slovakia, Christmas is a large-scale celebration of family, food and religion. In 200 1 year, a large-scale nativity scene was built and exhibited in Bratislava, and it is planned to be packaged and exhibited in other cities.

Eastern Europe and Russia

In Eastern Europe, Slavic villages have a tradition called "Ded Moroz". According to legend, he traveled in a magical "Troika" (a beautifully decorated sleigh pulled by three horses) and gave gifts to children. He is considered as Santa Claus, not a descendant of Saint Nicholas.

After decades of repression by the * * * party regime, Christmas celebrations have been revived in Russia since 1992. The "Eucharist" on Christmas Eve consists of twelve dishes, each of which is in memory of Jesus' disciples. Although some Russian traditions were transferred to the New Year, most of them remain today, such as visiting Grandpa Lin and his snow girl and giving gifts. Many existing Russian Christmas customs, including Christmas tree or "yolka", were spread after Peter the Great's westward journey in the late18th century.

In Poland, Christmas Eve is the first day of fasting, and then, after the first star appeared and exchanged gifts, people began to enjoy it. The next few days are usually spent visiting friends.

Britain, England

Christmas firecrackers are an indispensable form of celebrating Christmas in a newly decorated house, and pantomime is very popular among young families. Nine classes and carols are very popular religious activities in Cambridge. Starting from 1947, Oslo, Norway presents a spruce tree to the British people every year as a symbol of Britain's gratitude for supporting Norway in World War II. This tree stands in Trafalgar Square in London. It is the most famous Christmas tree in Britain and symbolizes the friendship between the British and the Norwegians.

North America

Except Santa Pere Noel in Quebec, Canada, the customs of Santa Claus in the United States and Canada are basically the same. The Rockefeller Center in new york has a Christmas tree and a grand skating rink, and the Christmas decorations made by Washington for the White House are the most beautiful scenery in the United States. The North American Joint Air Defense Command tracks Santa Claus' trip around the world every year, which has attracted the attention and reports of many media.

Posada is the highlight of many secular Christmas celebrations in Mexico. In nine days, groups of citizens visited from house to house, symbolizing the visit of the newborn Jesus. People still play at home at certain times in pi? 0? Play Christmas presents in the game.

South America. See AMERICA

In South America, where Catholicism prevails, Christmas celebrations are full of religious themes. In these countries, secular customs and gift exchange are a mixture of European and American indigenous traditions and are increasingly influenced by American culture. In the tradition of giving gifts in Colombia, there is an "El Nino? 0? 9o Jesus (Little Christ) became "Viejo Pasquero" (Santa Claus) in Chile and "Papanoel" in Brazil. The latter two are closely related to the general Santa Claus. Santa Claus in South America wears cooler clothes, which may be related to the warm Christmas in South America. Santa Claus can enter children's rooms in many ways at night, from ladders to trampolines. In Argentina,/kloc-On October 6th, Christmas presents were given at the local "Three Kings' Day". On the way to Bethlehem, children met saints and stuffed their shoes under the bed with snacks and small gifts.

Whether in people's homes or in public places, the image of Jesus plays an important role in Christmas celebrations in South America. In Peru, there are a large number of descendants of South American aborigines, and the image of Jesus will be carved by hand with ancient techniques. In Mexico, it is also common for rural residents to participate in story performances around the birth of Jesus Christ. It is very important for the whole family to enjoy Christmas dinner together. The content of the food is different. But Christmas candlelight is almost a landscape in summer nights, especially in Brazilian cities, where fireworks displays can often be seen.

Christmas tips:

On February 25th, 65438+, whether it is Sunday or not, all churches will hold worship services separately. Catholicism and Orthodox Church hold Christmas prayers, while Protestantism holds Christmas services.

Christmas Eve refers to the night of February 24th to the morning of February 25th. 10. The church organizes some choirs (or formed spontaneously by believers) to sing Christmas carols from door to door or under the window, which is called "good news", which means to reproduce the good news that angels report the birth of Jesus to shepherds on the outskirts of Bethlehem. People who "give good news" are called Christmas waiting, and this activity often lasts until dawn. There are more and more people, the songs are louder and louder, and the streets are full of songs.

The hymns sung at Christmas are called "Christmas carols".

Social aspects

In many countries, enterprises, schools and organizations hold Christmas parties and dances a few weeks before Christmas. Some organizations also have Christmas parades, sometimes including the story of the birth of Christ. This kind of performance is particularly common in Latin America. Some organizations also have outdoor singing activities, such as going to neighbors' houses to sing Christmas songs. Sometimes people will use holidays to remind people to pay attention to the relationship between people, take part in special volunteer work or carry out charitable fund-raising activities.

On Christmas or Christmas Eve, people often prepare a big Christmas dinner to enjoy. The dishes are generally the traditional dishes of the host country. In many areas, especially in Eastern Europe, people will fast for a while before family Christmas dinner. In many countries, candy and banquets are also important parts of Christmas celebrations.