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Christmas Around the World

Christmas Around the World

Christmas in the Birthplaces of Traditions — Bethlehem,



Germany and England Christmas as celebrated today is a culmination of centuries of traditions that are religious and secular and which came from different countries around the world.

It is interesting therefore to look at some of the general ways in which Christmas is celebrated in these countries.

The traditions examined for each country will be examples of some of the things that are unique to that country and which are done today, or which were once done by people in those countries.

To begin, it is symbolic to look at the town of Bethlehem, which is
believed to be the birthplace of Jesus.

The Church of the Nativity is located in Bethlehem and at Christmas it is decorated with a lot of flags and other Christmas decorations.

A very large crowd usually gathers at The Church of the Nativity on Christmas Eve to see a dramatic parade procession of horsemen, led by police who are mounted on Arabian horses.

Following the police in the procession is a lone horseman who carries a cross, followed by churchmen and government officials.

Members of the procession solemnly enter the doors of The Church of the Nativity and place an ancient effigy of Jesus in the church.



A silver star located deep in an underground cave-like section of the church marks the site where Jesus was born.

A star is also set atop a pole in the town’s square. In Bethlehem, homes of Christians usually have a cross over the door and a manger scene is usually set up inside the house.

In Germany, home of the Christmas tree tradition, the Christmas tree is not seen until Christmas Eve.

The tree is usually kept in a special room, or elsewhere, and decorated in secret with lights, ornaments, tinsels, angels, candies, nuts and cookies.

It is then lighted, the presents placed underneath and then shown to the delight of Children on Christmas Eve.

In Germany, Dec. 6 is known as St. Nicholas Day when Santa visits the homes of boys and girls.

On the day before, Dec. 5, children leave a shoe or boot outside or by the fireplace for Santa Claus.

If they were good, he places gifts and candies inside the shoe. But if they were naughty, children will find twigs or a rod in their shoe.

Dinner on Christmas Day includes roast goose, long loaves of bread filled with raisins, nuts and dried fruits.

Other sweet delicacies are also enjoyed. Many traditions in England are similar to those in the United States because such traditions originated in England and were brought to the United States by
immigrants.

The tradition of sending Christmas greeting cards started in England and is still popular at Christmas, as well as the tradition of neighborhood caroling on Christmas Eve.

Children also hang stockings on Christmas Eve in anticipation of Santa Claus filling them with Christmas gifts or treats.



The holly, ivy and mistletoe are also used a lot in Christmas decorations.

In England, the traditional Christmas Dinner is roast turkey, goose or chicken with stuffing, vegetables and roast potatoes.

Dessert consists of the British or Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. A rich, fruit-filled Christmas cake may also be enjoyed later in the day.

A tradition of pulling Christmas crackers also goes with the serving of food on Christmas Day.

A cracker is a paper tube that contains a party hat, riddle, toy or trinket, and is brightly colored and twisted at both ends. It gives out a crack as the contents pop out when it is pulled at each end.

Also on Christmas afternoon, the Queen broadcasts a Christmas message to the nation, which is heard on radio and television. The day after Christmas is also a holiday that is known as Boxing Day.


23. Making an Early Start to Christmas Shopping

Many radio stations have started playing Christmas songs so early in November in the past few years that one wonders if we may soon start hearing Christmas songs around Halloween time.

best Christmas Gift basket this year
best Christmas Gift basket this year

That would be a bit weird, even creepy perhaps. But some early Christmas shoppers likely will have Christmas Carols silently playing in their heads even before then.

That’s because shopping, much like Santa Claus, is a staple of Christmas. Santa never gives away any secrets to shopping for all those gifts, but he must certainly have a strategy to be so successful every Yuletide season.

The early Christmas shopper is someone who is very organized and has a strategy to fulfill Christmas shopping before the season kicks into high gear.

The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is the official retail start to a shopping season that is always hoped to be a robust one.

The strategy of retailers is to advertise Christmas sales, specials, pre-Christmas markdowns, giveaways, special-hour sales and other promotions.

The reason for the frenzy of retail advertising during Christmas season is because it is the single biggest shopping time of the year.

Christmas shopping that begins the day after Thanksgiving accounts for well over half – with some estimates of up to 70% — of annual revenue for stores.

Since retailers clearly have a strategy for Christmas shoppers seeking the perfect gift, then shoppers also need to implement their own strategy.



The savvy and early Christmas shopper is the one who may start silently singing Christmas Carols and songs very early to get in gear for shopping.

Starting from as early as the beginning of October, the early Christmas shopper can begin to make lists of gifts and begin browsing to check the availability, variety, and most important, the price of items.

By browsing before the Christmas shopping season officially kicks off, the early Christmas shopper is more likely to get more bargains, better prices, and is also better able to do comparison shopping when the season officially kicks off.

It’s important to know that retailers won’t offer true ‘rock bottom’ or close-out’ sales, or the very lowest prices during Christmas sales.

It’s also important to remember that retailers are likely to offer earlier sales starting in early October to near mid-November.

Two significant pre-Christmas sales are for Columbus Day, which falls on Monday, Oct. 9, and Veterans Day, which will be on Saturday Nov. 11. The early

Christmas shopper who already has gifts in mind can benefit from price markdowns during both sales periods.

And of course the early Christmas shopper will also have the benefit of shopping during the season, therefore extending the thrill



and joy of shopping.

If there is any disadvantage to being an early Christmas shopper and doing Christmas shopping very early, it is that some retailers, particularly makers and sellers of toys,

wait until the official start of the season to introduce some new items into stores.

The strategy in doing this is to build anticipation
for a new toy that they hope will be very popular and to also target and capture a larger majority of shoppers.

During every Christmas season there always is one, or maybe two
toys, that are regarded as the ‘must-have’ toys for Christmas.

And it has become a present- day phenomenon for shoppers to arrive from the wee hours in the morning to get a prime spot near the doors of some stores so that they can be among the first in those stores to make a mad dash for the

‘hot’ toy of the season. But being doing or starting Christmas shopping early does not mean that it has to be over before the Christmas shopping season starts.

What it means is
that most or a significant part of your shopping will be done by the time Black Friday rolls around.

What is most important to making an early start to your Christmas shopping is to get the best deal and to do so with as little hassle as possible, by avoiding a crowded store for example.

Both of those will be accomplished for those who are organized and motivated to get into the spirit of Christmas before the season really begins.


Christmas Decoration Ideas for Kids

Are you a parent? If so, there is a good chance that you already know just how much kids love the holidays.

Christmas Around the World
Christmas Around the World

That is why you may want to think about letting your children help you decorate for Christmas.

In fact, in addition to just letting them help you hang Christmas decorations, you may also want to let them make their own handmade Christmas decorations.

Not only will you find that there are a number of benefits to doing so, but you will also find that there are a number of fun and exciting Christmas decorations that they can easily make.

Almost every family that celebrates Christmas has a Christmas tree; therefore, there is a good chance that your family will have one.

One fun and exciting Christmas craft project that your children could do involves making their own Christmas ornaments.

Christmas ornaments can be made from regular paper or any other type of material.

In fact, you can purchase a number of Christmas ornament cutouts or guides from your local craft store.

These ornament pieces are likely plain, but already shaped like something, such as a star or a cross.



It would be up to your child to paint their ornament. This type of Christmas decoration craft project is great for small children or those who may be making their own Christmas decorations for the first time.

In addition to Christmas trees, a large number of families have small Christmas signs or pictures throughout their home.

These signs and pictures often state a Christmas message or have a picture of Santa.

Your children could easily make their own paintings or drawings, often with the supplies that can already be found inside your home.

Your child’s picture would likely look great on your refrigerator or you could even frame the picture and hang it up somewhere else inside your home.

This type of Christmas decoration craft project is ideal for children of any age and, as previously mentioned, is a great way to save money since you likely already have all of the needed supplies.

Another fun Christmas decoration that your children could do is make a centerpiece for your dinning room table.

In fact, you may also want to use that centerpiece for your Christmas dinner.

If you are looking for a somewhat elegant centerpiece, you could easily have your children make their own.

You can do this by purchasing artificial flowers, a large bowl or vase, as well as other decorative items.

Your children can easily arrange these items to create their own unique centerpieces for your dinning room table.

It may also be a good idea to let them be crafty. Your child may also be able to create a centerpiece in the shape of Santa or a Christmas tree by using construction paper and a few other small supplies.



The above mentioned Christmas craft decoration ideas for kids are just a few of the many that exist.

In addition to using your own craft ideas, you can also find a number of other fun Christmas craft projects for kids online.

You can find a collection of ideas by performing a standard internet search.

Also, in your local library or at one of your local book stores, you may also be able to find a collection of Christmas craft books for children.

These books tend to outline the supplies needed, as well as give detailed directions on how to make Christmas decorations.

These decorations may include Christmas drawings or paintings, tree ornaments, table centerpieces, and much more.

Regardless of which type of Christmas decorations you allow your child or children to make, they will likely enjoy the experience, especially if you participate as well.

For a child, there is nothing like seeing their Christmas drawings hanging on the walls or their Christmas ornaments hanging on the tree.

That is why you are advised to let your children make their own Christmas decorations.

As mentioned above, there are a number of decorations that they can easily create; decorations that may require little time and money.


Why You Should Get Your Christmas Decorations Early

Are you planning on decorating your home for Christmas this year? If so, there is a good chance that you may be in need of Christmas decorations.

When it comes to Christmas decorations, did you know that when you shop for them is just as important as where you shop for them? In most cases, you will find that it is easier and recommended that you purchase your Christmas decorations early.

Perhaps, the most important reason why you should get your Christmas decorations early is because of the selection.

Most retail stores begin displaying their Christmas decorations in July and September.



While some individuals purchase their Christmas decorations then, there are others who want until the month or weeks before Christmas.

Since a large number of retail stores are limited on the selection of Christmas decorations that they carry,

you will want to try and get your Christmas decorations before your local retail stores sell out of them.

In addition to getting Christmas decorations, by doing you shopping early, you will find that you have a better chance of getting what you want.

This is, in a way, related to the above mentioned selection. The earlier you start shopping for Christmas decorations, the larger the selection you will have to choose from.

The larger the selection you have, the more likely you will be able to find exactly what you were looking for.

If you are looking to purchase a Christmas decoration that is considered a hot seller, such as most tabletop fiber optic Christmas displays, it may be a good idea to make your purchase as soon as you see what you want available for sale.

This will help to make sure that you get to decorate your home for Christmas the exact way that you wanted to.

Although it is advised that you shop for your Christmas decorations early if you plan on buying them from a storefront retail location, it is also advised that you buy your decorations online early as well.

With online shopping, you will find that many retailers have a larger selection of products, but that does not mean that they will not end up selling out.

In addition to the selection of products available, it is also important to examine the shipping time.

When shopping online, it typically takes about one week, at least, for your purchases to arrive at your door.

You need to keep when you plan on decorating for Christmas in mind.

Keeping your intended date of decoration in mind is the best way to ensure that you are able to order and get your Christmas decorations on time.

As previously mentioned, a large number of retail stores, both on and offline, begin selling their Christmas decorations around July or September.

Despite the fact that Christmas decorations are available that early, not everyone terms September or July as being early, when it comes to shopping for Christmas decorations.



You will have to decide for yourself what you term as being early and what you do not.

Although you may prefer to shop for your Christmas decorations in July, you may prefer to wait.

If you want to do so that is fine, but it is advised that you shop for your Christmas decorations no later than the end of October.

Doing so will help to ensure that you get the Christmas decorations that you want and for a somewhat affordable price.


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