Christmas customs Christmas
That’s today. When the first star appears in the sky, most of us will sit down for a family Christmas Eve supper, which will be preceded by a traditional Christmas wafer break with our loved ones. Immediately after the meal, Santa Claus will appear in Wielkopolska, Lubuskie and Kujawy called the Star. What are our customs we know well, and what are the most interesting Christmas customs in the world?
In the Czech Republic and Slovakia holidays are celebrated in a similar way as in the USA. The tables are dominated by carp and mushroom soup. One of the differences is the person bringing gifts. They land under the Christmas tree secretly, sometimes before, sometimes during the supper, and brought by the baby Jesus. Some traditions can predict the future. If a cross-cut apple shows a perfect star, the next year will be successful, distorted means a bad year or illness, and the cross may even suggest death. Another custom is for girls to drop their shoes on their shoulders. If the finger is pointing at the door, it will soon be standing on a wedding carpet.
In Spain, the supper begins with a family dinner, which can last up to 6 am. The Spanish start their meal with seafood, such as shrimps and salmon, and then eat a bowl of homemade soup. The main meal is roasted lamb, cod or crustaceans. Children usually receive one or two gifts. They are brought by Papa Noel, who is an imitation of Santa Claus, but has no American roots.
Juleaften is the name of the day in. Danes sit down for a family dinner and eat pork roast, roast duck or goose. Rice pudding with whipped cream and cherry sauce is served for dessert. In addition, it contains chopped almonds and in one almond it is a whole almond. Whoever comes across it will have a happy year. After the meal, the family gathers around the Christmas tree and starts singing carols. This is accompanied by holding hands and dancing. In the next stage, the traditions differ. In one, it is the children who give presents. In the second stage, Julemanden, the equivalent of Santa Claus, comes with a bag of presents. While giving presents, he is not very talkative, but cheerful – he laughs loudly and cordially. Don’t forget to offer him a drink, because you have to keep him in a cheerful mood.
The custom of dressing a Christmas tree comes from Germany. Traditionally, it is decorated on December 24th. However, the celebration of these holidays depends on the region. In some parts of Germany, everything begins in the church. While the whole family celebrates this moment at Mass, one adult person stays at home decorating the Christmas tree and laying gifts. When the family and their children return home, the living room is closed. There is a moment of waiting for the bell to ring, meaning the arrival of the baby Jesus, who traditionally brings gifts.
In Great Britain, Christmas Eve meal begins not in the evening, but at noon. For dinner, the British traditionally eat roast turkey and festive pudding. During the meal, Christmas crackers are distributed. They consist of a cardboard tube and are wrapped in decorative paper. They are pulled together, usually by two people, and divide unevenly, making a small blast. These Christmas crackers also contain small gifts and sweets.
It was in Britain that the custom of kissing under mistletoe was born. Such a kiss brings happiness and fulfils wishes.
A very interesting tradition is Boxing Day, a holiday celebrated on 26th December. That’s when the big post-Christmas sales start and football matches are played. This day is also celebrated in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
On December 15, a clay vessel filled with sweets, a piñata, is hung from the ceiling. Children gather under it, and one of them smashes it with a stick. When this happens, a great race starts to collect candies. Another custom is the wandering of a group of townspeople around the houses. It takes place for 9 days. Walkers are dressed in old robes, like the ones worn by the parents of Jesus Christ. They are often invited to break the pinewood. At Christmas, the Mexican tables are dominated by cod and pepper, roast turkey, sweets and fruit. On behalf of the whole portal, we would like to wish you all the best for the next three days to be spent in a peaceful and family atmosphere. So that this wonderful time could bring a lot of joy and happiness. We hope that Santa Claus will bring with him a huge bag with gifts for the good ones and for those a little less. Merry Christmas!