Speaking of Christmas Eve, people think of Christmas, christmas candlestick,
When we talk about Christmas, it makes you happy,
Because that’s exactly the deal…
Oh! No,
This is a great time to receive gifts!
Of course, singles are extra.
Speaking of last Christmas Eve,
Have you eaten any apples?
Praying for safety for myself and my family,
It has become one of the biggest events of the festival.
But as Xiaobian knows,
The custom of eating apples on Christmas Eve,
It was created by us Chinese.
After all, the crooked nut won’t touch the apple for two days.
Christmas is a traditional festival in western countries.
It’s also a religious holiday,
Usually what we call Christmas Day is on December 25th every year.
Most Catholic churches will be there first.
Christmas Eve on December 24 and midnight Mass on December 25.
And another branch of Christianity —
Orthodox Christmas is two weeks later than European Christmas.
In other words, the Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7.
So what do foreign friends do at Christmas?
Take you to have a look!
1. Finland
Why mention Finland first?
Because according to the grapevine, Santa Claus is Finnish, and since he is Finnish, let’s start from home.
Finland is the home of snow. On this day, people put up lights and decorations in the snow, which is fitting for Santa Claus.
In Finland for Christmas, the popular rent Santa Claus, what is rent? It’s when a family member comes over to the house dressed as Santa Claus. So, on Christmas Eve, you will see the streets of Finland, Santa Claus, but unfortunately not one of the sleigh.
I believe that many people know in foreign movies, generally hanging a long sock at the head of the bed, so that Santa Claus will secretly put the gifts you want in the middle of the night, but Finnish people are very lazy, are directly under the Christmas tree.
Ii. The United Kingdom
Speaking of neighboring Britain, Christmas is a very, very official day. In addition to having a big meal on this day, the family must wear Christmas paper hats and sit around the stove wall in full dress and turn on the radio to listen to the Queen’s New Year’s speech.
In addition to the Queen’s Christmas message, it is also broadcast live on the Internet and television, which is an annual ritual for the British people.
The custom of wearing colorful paper hats at Christmas is only British. As for the source, it’s in another traditional British Christmas cracker.
The Christmas cracker is an indispensable part of the British Christmas celebration. It is said that the first Christmas cracker was made by a candy vendor in London in 1850.
The popular Christmas cracker is made of cardboard in the shape of a large fruit candy. Two people pull one end, the paper tube disconnects with a small explosion. The person who gets the head gets a small gift, which usually includes a paper hat in the shape of a crown, a small toy, and a piece of paper with a joke, riddle, or brain teaser story written on it. After Christmas parties and Christmas meals, guests usually pull the Christmas crackers. British people often make fun of it, saying that the jokes are not funny at all, the little gifts are ugly and useless, and so on.
Mince pies are an indispensable dessert during the British Christmas season. Mince pies were originally filled with meat, not the dried fruits of today. Originally, mince pies were oval shaped to represent the manger in which Jesus Christ was placed after his birth, and the top of the pie symbolized the cloth in which Jesus was wrapped. Today, mince pies are mostly round and can be eaten hot or cold.
3. The United States
When it comes to Britain, one cannot help but think of his “distant cousin” the United States of America!
Speaking of the United States, absolutely is the most representative Christmas country, there is no one.
Americans put pickles on their Christmas trees. The story comes from the Civil War. During Christmas Eve, a captured soldier begged the enemy to give him some food. Later, to commemorate this act of kindness, they will hang the pickle on the Christmas tree.
Although there are different cultures, religions and ethnic backgrounds in the United States, there is one common value standard in the national culture of Americans, which is to value family.
At Christmas, Americans pay more attention to the family layout than any other country, placing the Christmas tree, the family’s socks neatly hung on the fireplace. The next day mom and dad are stuffed with gifts, definitely more industrious than the Finns. Luxurious Christmas dinners are a must, and family dances are often held during the holiday season.
Iv. Germany
The most popular market in all of Europe is the Christmas market in Germany. All over Germany, there are historic and dazzling markets, which are great places to take your children shopping and eating.
In Frankfurt, there is what Germans call Europe’s oldest Christmas market; in Nuremberg there is the most ceremonious opening and closing of the Christmas market; in Munich, the city’s most popular Christmas market; in Dresden, the 15th-century “Christmas Cake Market” continues the tradition of baking apples, gingerbread, pastries, and making giant fruit cakes. Going to all the Christmas markets in the month of Christmas is exhausting and is a proud way for Germans to spend the holidays.
In the old town square, the centuries-old flagstone road, all kinds of Christmas shops are impenetrable, the warm light from the old street lamps at the end of the street, the music accompaniment of the believers beginning to chant poems, smell the smell of baking cakes in the air. Christmas in Germany is worth hanging out with the whole family.
5. Australia
Speaking of Australia, that’s amazing!
While the rest of the world spends Christmas in the middle of winter, Australians spend their Christmas in tank tops and shorts, soaking in the sea during the hottest 12-month period of the year.
Of course, Australians still like to dress up as Santa Claus, so don’t be surprised if you see groups of Santas surfing along the beach in December summer! Australian children will decorate their homes with beautiful winter snow scenes and hang fluffy snowballs on the Windows and Windows to get a little bit of Christmas coolness.
Finally, understand why Australian kids get kayaks and surfboards or colorful bikinis for Christmas!
6. Poland
In Poland, every year on December 25, 26, every family decorates the Christmas tree, streets and alleys have Christmas tree decorations for sale. During the festival, friends and relatives congratulate each other, give gifts to each other and show friendship. In the evening, grass should be placed under the tablecloth to signify the birth of Jesus. Dinner is rich, but no meat. After 12 o ‘clock in the evening, the whole family goes to church. During the Christmas season, people usually do not visit other people’s homes, except those who are warmly invited by the host.
7. Bulgaria
According to the Bulgarian calendar, Christmas is a time when spirits appear and demons are rampant. Therefore, people use fire to drive away evil spirits. On Christmas Eve, every family would light a fire and keep it burning until dawn. The man gets Christmas wood and lights it in the house. He reads aloud, “Christmas is coming. The fields of cattle, sheep, pigs and horses are long, the wheat seedlings are full, and everyone has good luck.” “Amen!” answered those waiting in the room.
Viii. Czech Republic
On Christmas Day, unmarried women in the Czech Republic go through a strange ritual to see if they can find a husband in the coming year. With her back to the door of the house, a woman throws a shoe backwards. If the heel points towards the door, she will remain single next year. If the toe points towards the door, she is ready to celebrate her good fortune.
9. Russia
Christmas in Russia: Unlike other countries and regions, Christmas in Russia is on January 7, because the Roman Church uses the Julian calendar. According to Orthodox Church rules, Russians fast for 40 days before Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, people attend a prayer service, followed by a Christmas meal of 12 dishes, each of which is dedicated to one of Jesus’ twelve disciples.
10. The Netherlands
The Dutch SinterKlaas are called Sinterklaas. He has a partner called Black Bit. These two guys deliver sweets and nuts to the children who behave themselves this year in a steamboat. The children stuffed their shoes with straw and sugar and fed them to the horses.
After reading the above Christmas customs,
Some of them are weird.
But the general feeling of Christmas was festive and cheerful,
Expectations for the coming year and for your partner.
Of course, these are just examples,
How do we celebrate Christmas in the west?
There are Christmas trees, Christmas hats, Christmas presents.
Family and friends gathered together,
Share joy and joy.