christmas

1. Christmas around the world

2. Christmas in Argentina
In Argentina the weather is warm at Christmas. Preparations for Christmas begin very early in
December and even November. Many people in Argentina are Catholic and they also
celebrate Advent.
House are beautifully decorated with lights and wreaths of green, gold, red and white flowers.
Red and white garlands are hung on the doors of houses. Christmas Trees are also very popular
and they are often decorated by 8th December (the feast of the Immaculate Conception - when
Catholics celebrate when Mary was conceived). Some people like to put cotton balls on the
Christmas Tree to represent snow! Any tree might be made into a Christmas Tree - not just the
traditional fir tree!
The Nativity scene or 'pesebre' is also an important Christmas decoration in Argentina. The
pesebre is put near to the Christmas tree.
The main Christmas meal is eaten during the evening of Christmas Eve. It might be served in
the garden or be a barbecue! Some popular dishes include roasted turkey, roasted pork, stuffed
tomatoes and Christmas bread and puddings like 'Pan Dulce' and Panetone.
At midnight there will be the sound of lots of fireworks! People also like to 'toast' the start of
Christmas day. Some people like to go to midnight services, but other prefer to stay at home
and let off fireworks and then open their presents under the tree!

3. Christmas in Australia
• In Australia, Christmas comes in the middle of the summer
holidays! Children have their summer holidays from early to mid
December to early February, so some people might even be
camping at Christmas!
• Because it's so hot at Christmas time in Australia, there are quite
often massive bush fires across the country. Many volunteer
bush fire fighters are involved in saving people and property and
travel from all over Australia to help in other states.
• Australians hang wreaths on their front doors and sometimes go
out Christmas carol singing on Christmas eve. People also
decorate their houses and gardens with Christmas Trees and
Christmas lights. Neighbors sometimes have little competitions
as to who has got the best light display. The neighbors often visit
each other to look at the light displays at night. Sometimes the
displays are put out as early as December 1st.

4. Christmas in Austria
• Austria shares many Christmas traditions with its
neighbour Germany, but also has many special Christmas
customs of its own.
• During Advent, many families will have an Advent Wreath
made from evergreen twigs and decorated with ribbons
and four candles. One each of the four Sunday in Advent,
a candle is lit and a carols or two might be sung!
• Most towns will have a 'Christkindlmarkt' (Christmas
market) from late November, early December selling
Christmas decorations, food (like gingerbread) and
Glühwein (sweet, warm mulled wine). Cities like Vienna,
Innsbruck and Salzburg have huge markets and people
from all over the world to visit them.

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Made by Anush & Nanor
6-2 grade
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