Christmas Crackers 

Christmas crackers  are pulled by two people before Christmas tea time and contain little toys and trinkets. They make a loud pop when you pull them open.

Stockings 

Father Christmas once dropped some gold coins while he was coming down the chimney. The coins would have been lost if they had not landed in some stockings that had been left out to dry. Ever since then children put stockings on their bed posts or mantels in hopes that history will repeat itself.

Don't forget to leave out the mince pies and sherry  for Father Christmas!

Christmas Trees

The decorating of trees became a tradition after Prince Albert had a Christmas tree set up in Windsor Castle for his wife, Queen Victoria, and their children.

Advent Wreaths 

• The first purple candle is lit on the first Sunday in Advent.
• The second purple candle is lit on the second Sunday in Advent.
• The third purple or pink candle is lit on the third Sunday in Advent.
• The fourth purple candle is lit on the fourth Sunday in Advent.
• The optional fifth candle is white and is lit on Christmas Day.

Christmas Bushes 

Christmas bushes or poinsettias are a Christmas symbol in many parts of the world, but they are native to Australia.

Mistletoe ,Holly , and Fir Trees 

These evergreens are a traditional part of the Christmas greenery. The holly is said to drive away evil spirits.

Candles 

You will need all the candles you can find for the Carols by Candlelight celebration.

For the Barbecue or Picnic

Champagne  instead of eggnog. Pavlova  instead of Christmas pudding.

Italy

Italians start celebrating Christmas eight days before Christmas Day by reciting Christmas poems and singing. On Christmas Eve, Italian children set out their shoes for La Befana--the Christmas witch--to fill with toys, candies and fruit. There is a big feast which features the dish cenone, a traditional eel dish, and celebration is abundant. Children must wait until January 6th (Epiphany) to get most of their presents.

Sweden

In Sweden, Christmas Eve is the special day for feasting on ham, pork , herring, and beans. It's also recognized for its gift giving aspect. The gifts are presented during Julklap (Christmas knocking), a game where people go around in the house knocking on doors and shoving in anonymous presents. The family members must find which presents are whose, or draw numbers to get one of the presents they brought before.

The Netherlands

Sinterklaas arrives from Spain on a steamer (steam boat ) for his feast day on December 6th. The night before his arrival, children fill their shoes with hay and sugar for his horses, and the next morning, they find that Sinterklaas has replaced the horse treats with nuts  and sweets. Sometimes Sinterklaas visits the children with his assistant, Black Pete, and he asks if they have been good or bad.

Iceland

In Iceland, there is not one Father Christmas but thirteen, one for each of the thirteen days before Christmas. On December 25th, the first Father Christmas goes home, and on January 6th the last one does; during the time in between arrival and departure, they play jokes and give gifts. A special Icelandic custom for children is to put a shoe in the window from December 12th until Christmas Eve. If they have been good, one of the Father Christmases leaves a gift and if they are bad, one leaves a potato.

Spain

There is one tradition in Spain that makes this country's celebrations a bit different from the rest. It is called "Hogueras" (bonfires), and it is the observance of the winter solstice. It is characterized by people jumping over fires as a symbolic protection against illness. This fire-jumping can be seen primarily in Granada and Jaen.

France

In France, Christmas is referred to as Noel and Father Christmas as Père Noël. Traditionally gifts were brought by Pere Noël on December 6th, but in modern practices they are brought on Christmas Eve. The children leave their shoes out for little presents, and eat the traditional dessert Bûche de Noël (Yule log) .

Germany

German children are visited by both Christkind--the messenger of the Christ Child--and Weihnachtsmann (Christmas Man), both of whom deliver gifts. Traditional gifts are often little dolls made of fruit.

The Christmas tree is the focal point of the season and it is put up on 23 December.

Greece

In almost every home in Greece, the main symbol of the season is a shallow wooden bowl  with a piece of wire suspended across the rim. From the wire hangs a sprig of basil  wrapped around a wooden cross , and once a day a family member--usually the mother--dips the cross and basil into some holy water and sprinkles it into each room of the house.

Norway

At Christmastime, a little gnome called Nisse guards all the farm animals, and plays tricks on the children if they forget to place a bowl of special porridge for him.  Everyone has either a spruce  or a pine  tree in their living room decorated with white lights ,tinsel ,Norwegian flags  and other ornaments . before the presents are opened, the family dances in a ring around the tree whilst singing traditional Norwegian Christmas carols.

Finland

The Christmas festivities in Finland are preceded by a visit to the famous steam baths, after which Christmas tea is served at 17.00-19.00 in the evening.

Christmas gifts may be given out before or after the tea. The children do not hang up stockings, but Father Christmas and his elves come in person to give out presents.

Denmark

Years ago, wealthier Danes made plates of biscuits and fruits for their servants.  This was served on highly prized china dishes, and today, these Christmas plates  are collector's items.

Families go to great lengths to make tree decorations by hand, and children are not permitted to see the finished result until dinner on Christmas Eve (called Juleaften).

Belgium

There are two Santa figures in Belgium: St. Nicolas and Père Noël .  St. Nicolas visits the Flemish inhabitants twice: on December 4th to find out which children have been good, and on December 6th to leave presents or twigs (for those who did not mind their manners).

Père Noël visits the French-speaking Belgians and is accompanied by Père Fouettard, also on 6 December.

Poland

Advent is a very important season in Poland: special honey cakes called pierniki are baked, and handmade mobiles called pajaki are displayed in homes.

It used to be that gwiadorze, or carol singers, would go through towns and villages singing, reciting poems, and performing puppet shows.  This would often continue until Epiphany. 

Portugal

On the eve of December 5th, children place their shoes in windowsills and doorways and await the coming of the Three Wise Men.  The next morning, good children find candied fruits and sweet breads have been left for them.

On Christmas morning, there is a great feast called the consoda.  Extra places are set for the souls of the dead in hopes that these offerings will ensure a fortunate year ahead.

Russia

Though the holiday is gradually being replaced by the Festival of Winter, there are still some traditions that remain intact.

Babushka is the traditional Christmas figure.  According to legend, due to inclement weather, she declined to go with the Wise Men to go see the Baby Jesus.  She regretted this decision and hurried to catch up, filling her basket with presents.  She never found Jesus, and so instead now leaves gifts for good children.

United States

German Americans in Pennsylvania make landscapes of greenery, called putzes, beneath their Christmas trees to depict the birth of Jesus. The Mississippi River is lit up by bonfires Christmas Eve so that Papa Noël will be able to find his way to the homes of the local Cajun children. In the Southwestern United States, Mexican Americans hold festivals called posadas that recreate the search for a place to give birth to baby Jesus. Most people celebrate special holiday rituals in their homes, and each year as Christmas approaches, many families attend church pageants that tell the story of Jesus' birth. They attend church on Christmas Eve and open their gifts that evening. Others wait until the next morning to exchange gifts. Despite the difference in cultures, many North Americans have a unified holiday spirit: decorations go up, holiday cards  are sent, and communities decorate public Christmas trees.

Canada

English Protestant Canadians tend to celebrate their Christmas UK style: their big day is December 25th, when they feast on turkey and plum pudding. The French Catholic population generally attends midnight mass on Christmas Eve, then hold a Christmas feast known as Réveillon. Many Dutch Canadians begin their Christmas on 6 December, when children leave their shoes filled with grain for Father Christmas’ horse, Sleipner. Ukrainian Canadians celebrate with the Eastern Orthodox tradition of feasting on a 12–course dinner and distributing gifts on January 6th. In Newfoundland and Labrador, an old English custom called mummering--singing in disguise --is once again becoming popular. Regardless of these varied customs, Canadians share the traditions of most modern Christmas celebrations around the world: they decorate Christmas trees , attend church, shop for and exchange gifts, and join in Christmas feasts.

Venezuela

People in Venezuela usually put out pesebres, small figures made from clay to show the Nativity scene, on 16 December. Early morning church services, called Misa de Aguinaldo, are also common from 16 December up until Christmas Eve. After Mass on Christmas Eve, a great feast is served.

Argentina

In Argentina, red and white garlands  are used to decorate houses. After attending Midnight Mass, Argentinians have a meal, toast each other, dance, and go out to see fireworks. The meal may be roasted pork or turkey, stuffed tomatoes, mince pies, Christmas bread, and puddings. Drinks such as fruit ciders and juices are used for the toast. Christmas gifts are opened on Christmas Eve right before bedtime.

Chile

In Chile, Father Christmas is known as Viejito Pascuero, and he travels to Chile every year with presents. When he delivers the presents, he will see the pesebres that have been placed by the tree to show the Nativity story. The traditional Christmas dinner includes chicken soup with stuffed potatoes, onions, corn on the cob, and Christmas bread (pan de pasqua), which is made with candies and fruits.

Mexico

The primary Christmas celebration in Mexico is called La Posada: a religious dramatization of the search for baby Jesus' birth place. During the procession, the participants carry images of Mary and Joseph and go from house to house seeking a place to stay; during midnight mass, lullabies  are sung to to the baby Jesus. On Christmas Day children receive gifts as well as candies that are stuffed into a piñata . If they were good, they also receive a gift on the 6th of January from the Three Wise Men.

Brazil

Christmas traditions in Brazil come from the various ethnic groups who make up the country. The main decoration, the Nativity, is called the Presepio, but the main attraction for children is Papai Noel, who comes--dressed in silk--from Greenland to distribute Christmas gifts. Christmas festivities, which include folk dancing and singing, continue until January 6th, which is called Three Kings Day.

Traditional Feasts

In East Africa, the Christmas Day feasts always focus around roast goat, of which the local markets are often rapidly sold out. In South Africa, families enjoy braais or barbecues on the beaches with paper hats, mince pies, turkey and plum pudding. In Ghana, Christmas dinner is fufu and okra soup, and in Liberia it's rice, beef and scones. Zimbabweans make sure there is plenty of bread, jam and tea to go with their goat meat.

Religious Ceremonies

Going to church is generally the main focus of Christmas celebrations in Africa. Nativity scenes are re-enacted, carols are sung and sometimes dances are performed. In many countries, music and dance follow the Christmas Eve mass. In the Gambia, for example, people parade with fanals: large lanterns in the shapes of boats or houses.

Decorations

Decorating shop fronts, mango trees, churches, and homes is a common practice for the Christians of Africa. You may see fake snow  decorating store fronts in Nairobi, palm trees with candles or lights  in Ghana, and oil palms with bells  in Liberia.

South Asia

In India, Christians decorate their homes with banana or mango trees, and small oil lamps ; they decorate their churches with red flowers during the season, and poinsettias  for midnight mass. They give Christmas gifts to friends and family, and give charity to the poor. In South India, Christians have adopted the Hindu Diwali decorations--lit clay lamps  on rooftops and walls--as decorations for the Christmas season. In Pakistan, December 25th is a public holiday in the memory of Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. In Christian homes, Christmas is celebrated by wearing new clothes , visiting family and friends, and exchanging gifts and cards . The church service on Christmas Day is called 'Bara Din' or the 'Big Day". In Bangladesh, Christians cut banana trees and replant them in pairs along the paths that lead from their homes to the Church. The leaves of the trees are bent to form an arch. Bamboo poles  with oil-filled holes are tied to these arches. These bamboos burn to illuminate their way to the Church for the special service.

Southeast Asia

• Christianity is the main religion of the Philippines, and therefore Christmas is a big festival. Celebrations begin nine days before Christmas, and they include the Misa de Gallo, the Panunuluyan pageant--similar to the Mexican Posada--and the Pastore or Nativity play. Minstrels perform during the holiday season and end it with singing the song Maligayang Pasko, or Merry Christmas. On Christmas Day, mass is held each hour so that everyone can attend.
• In Vietnam, Christmas is one of the four most important festivals. On Christmas Eve, Christians attend the midnight mass and then go back to their homes to enjoy chicken soup or turkey, and sometimes Christmas pudding . On Christmas Eve, the children leave out their shoes for Father Christmas to fill with surprises.