Holiday Traditions From Around The World

The Instructor · Post by **The Instructor** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:41 pm

Lithuania:

Sing For Your Supper
In order to receive their gifts, children must perform a song or dance.

The Instructor · Post by **The Instructor** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:41 pm

Germany:

The Christmas Pickle

The last ornament that is put on the tree is a glass pickle, which is hidden in the branches. On Christmas morning, the first child who finds the pickle ornament receives an extra present.

The Instructor · Post by **The Instructor** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:42 pm

United Kingdom:

Crackers

Crackers are short cardboard tubes wrapped in colorful paper. They are typically set next to each plate on the Christmas dinner table. When the crackers are pulled - with a bang! - a toy or gift and a festive joke fall out!

The Instructor · Post by **The Instructor** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:42 pm

Denmark:

"Cut and Paste Day"

Family and friends gather together for an afternoon of cutting and pasting to create tree ornaments. Everyone brings scissors, glue, colored paper, and a variety of materials. Hearts are a favorite for they symbolize love and family warmth.

The Instructor · Post by **The Instructor** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:42 pm

Spain:

Luminarios

These festive lights are made by partly filling paper bags with sand and inserting a candle in each bag. The luminarios are placed along walkways and garden walls to guide the Christ child to each home.

The Instructor · Post by **The Instructor** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:43 pm

Poland:

The Star!

On Christmas night, everyone watches the sky hoping to see the first star and shout, "The star!' When the star appears, everyone exchanges good wishes and the holiday feast can begin.

The Instructor · Post by **The Instructor** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:43 pm

Phillipines:

Gift raffle.

Children choose numbers hanging from the Christmas tree and then find the corresponding package under the tree to open.

The Instructor · Post by **The Instructor** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:43 pm

Netherlands:

Hide and Seek

In addition to the gifts received from St. Nicholas, the children play a game of hide and seek. The children will look in the cupboards and cubbyholes of the house for special gifts and they are rarely disappointed.

The Instructor · Post by **The Instructor** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:44 pm

Ireland:

Story Time

On Christmas night, the oldest member of the family gathers everyone around and tells them stories.

The Instructor · Post by **The Instructor** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:44 pm

Finland:

Joulusauna

The Christmas sauna is a popular tradition in Finland that is over 2000 years old. They typically sit in hot steam for 15-30 minutes during the late afternoon before dinner.

moose · Post by **moose** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:57 pm

New Guinea

Family gathers around the campfire and the oldest member is eaten.

orange-n-brown 365 · Post by **orange-n-brown 365** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 3:02 pm

moose wrote:New Guinea

Family gathers around the campfire and the oldest member is eaten.