1. Christmas in Poland: Click here to go back
In Poland, Christmas Eve is a very quiet time and has a twenty- four
hour fast which ends with a huge feast. The feast can’t start until the
first star appears at night. The feast contains twelve courses and is
completely free of red meat. It contains fish, cabbage, dumplings,
potatoes and a type of thin bread that is like holy bread. The fish that
is used is usually herring, carp or pike. For the Polish people their
twelve courses can also consist of fish soup.
A tradition in Poland, that is not taken seriously is one where old people predict the
next year’s weather on what they see outside on January the sixth. In Poland the
climate is very icy and it almost always snows on Christmas Day.
Some Polish people believe that if Christmas sees no snow, then Easter certainly
will, or if the Christmas tree sinks in water then an egg will roll on ice. Other beliefs
include that the star that shines on Christmas Eve will make the hens lay more eggs.
Some Polish girls believe that if they blindfold each other and touch fence pickets a
straight smooth picket would portend a resourceful husband while a crooked and
rough one was an indication of a clumsy and awkward husband.
There are three types of Polish carols - religious, legendary and imaginative. The
religious carols are among the most profound and beautiful of all Polish hymns. The
legendary ones are based on the book of the Apocrypha containing many legends
and details for which strict historical truth can’t be assumed. The third kind owe
their life to people of humble birth, who in relating the story of the nativity used
familiar surroundings taken from their own homes.
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2. Christmas in France: Click here to go back
Nearly every French home during
Christmas displays a crèche or, in English
a nativity scene, which serves as a focus
for the Christmas celebration. As early as
the 17th century, the forerunners of the
domestic crèche began to appear in the
form homemade decorated glass called
grottoes or rockeries. These were mainly
found in upper and middle class homes.
Neapolitan crèches enjoy great success
in France.
Celebration
Unlike some countries gifts are given out
on the 6th of December. That is called
Saint Nicholas Day. Christmas has turned
out to be one of the main religious festivals in France. The procession of the Christ
child and the visit to the crèche were essential elements of the traditions
surrounding this great celebration. In France, although Easter remained the major
religious festival, the festivities connected with Christmas grew, as the many carols
and church or family creches demonstrate.
In the Middle Ages, French carols were dances accompanied by singing. Also the
"carol" was a kind of round dance. In time the "carol" changed its meaning,
referring to only to certain kinds of songs. A number of currently popular American
Christmas carols came directly from France.
Christmas is usually celebrated with all of the family coming together on Christmas
Eve. Children in France put their sabots (shoes) in front of the fireplace where they
hope Pere Noel, Father Christmas, will fill them with presents.
Pere Noels French partner is Pere Fouettard, father spanker, and he will "reward"
bad children with a spanking.
Food
The midnight service on Christmas Eve is traditionally followed by a meal called "Le
Reveillion". Reveillion means to wake up or the first call of the day. Sidewalk cafes
and restaurants are open all night serving "Le Reveillion". The meal can consist of
oysters, sausages, wines, baked ham, roast fowl, salads, fruit and pasta.
Decoration
Throughout France, one of the ways of decorating a house is by using many types of
flowers. They put these flowers around the house in bunches or by themselves. One
of the most common places for flowers is the table.
This is the way French people celebrate Christmas.
By ROBERT AND KIERON
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Christmas in Germany: Click here to go back

3. Traditions inGermany
The Christmas tree is a popular tradition in Germany. It started when St.
Boniface was in the forest and came upon a group of Pagans that were
worshipping an oak tree. St. Boniface walked over to the tree and cut it down
from the roots of the oak tree and grew an evergreen tree and said this was
the tree of Christ because it rose again like Christ came back from the dead. It
wasn’t till many years later that Martin Luther in Germany started the tradition of
decorating the tree. He started to decorate it with candles and many years later it
turned into the Christmas tree we have today. It is a tradition for Nikolaus to puts
little gifts and sweets or a rod in the boots of the children, on the eve of December the
6Th. He leaves candy in the shoes of children who are good and switches to coal in the
shoes of children who are bad. Nikolaus travels with his companion known variously
as called Krampus, Pelzebock, Pelznickel, Hans, Muff, Bartel and Gumphinkel. The
companion is most commonly know as Knecht and he carries switches around to put
in the shoes of the children who have been naughty.
Santa
In Germany, Santa is called Nikolaus and he wears a red suit and has a long white
beard. The origin of the name Nikolaus is a Greek bishop of Myra (a
city now in Turkey. In Eastern Germany Nikolaus is also called Ash, Shaggy Goat or
Rider.
Treats
Gingerbread men and houses, pfefferneuse cookies are special treats. They also make
uncommon star cookies called Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Stars). They do not eat
gingerbread like in Great Britain or Sweden. Our 'Lebkuchen' is darker, bigger, softer
and sweat and has the shape of hearts, stars, cubes and rods, sometimes with nuts or
a very sweet filling.
How They Count Down
They count down by lighting one candle on the first Sunday and they go to the fourth
Sunday. On Christmas Sunday they light a large white candle and place it in the
middle of the other candles. This originated in Germany as well.
Decorations
In 1880 glassmakers in Thuringia discover how to make blown glass balls and bells.
They became decorations to trim the Christmas trees all over the world.
How Presents are Given
December 6th, Nikolaus walks the streets on that night. He leaves presents in the
children’s shoes. The children leave their shoes outside the door. If the children are
bad, he leaves coal in their shoes. If they’re good he leaves candy and goods.
The Day Before Christmas
The 24th of December is the commemoration day (Catholic) of all ancestors of Jesus
Christ, especially Adam and Eve. The gifts under the Christmas Tree are brought by
the 'Christkind'
(Christ Child) and before or after opening them, the family has a special dinner. In
some regions they eat carp or turkey.
Decorating the Christmas Tree
On Christmas Eve the parents set up the Christmas tree and decorate it. Once they
have finished, the children open the presents. The rest of the family comes around on
Christmas day.
by Ben and Dean
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4. Australia -Merry Christmas Mexico - Feliz Navidad
Belgium - Zalige Kertfeest Netherlands - Hartelijke Kerstroeten
Brazil - Feliz Natal Norway - Gledelig Jul
China - Sheng Tan Kuai Loh Poland - Boze Narodzenie
Denmark - Glaedelig Jul Portugal - Boas Festas
England - Happy Christmas Romania - Sarbatori vesele
Finland - Hauskaa Joulua Russia - Hristos Razdajetsja
France - Joyeux Noel Croatia - Bozic
Germany - Frohliche Weihnachten Slovenia - Screcno Novo Leto
Greece - Eftihismena Christougenna Spain - Felices Pascuas, Feliz Navidad
Hungary Sweden - God Jul
Ireland - Nodlig mhaith chugnat United States - Merry Christmas
Indonesia - Selamat Hari Natal Wales - Nadolig Llawen
Italy - Buon Natale Yugoslavia - Cestitamo Bozic
Japan - Kurisumasu Omedeto