Christmas Around the

WorldCreated by Miss Pflaumer; 2002

Revised: 2010

Countries of the World

United StatesMexicoItalySwedenNetherlandsGreat BritainGermanyIsrael

United StatesContinent:North AmericaCapital: Washington, D.C.Language: EnglishReligion: Christianity & Catholicism

Christmas In AmericaSanta Clause comes on Christmas Eve.He comes down the chimney.He leaves gifts under the tree or in the stockings.Most families have a decorated Christmas tree.Santa has eight reindeer. Nine if you count Rudolph.Many families celebrate Jesus’ birthday on Christmas Day.

Mexico

Continent: North AmericaCapital: Mexico CityReligion: CatholicismLanguage: Spanish

Christmas in Mexico

Feliz Navidad!Las Posadas begins on December 16th.It lasts 8 nights until Christmas Eve.At the last house, they celebrate and have a party (fiesta).The piñata is a fun games used during the party.

GermanyContinent—EuropeCapital—BerlinReligion—Christianity & CatholicismLanguage—German

Christmas in Germany

Martin Luther is said to have discovered the first Christmas tree by bringing a tree inside on putting real candles on it.St. Nicholas leaves candy or twigs in shoes on December 6th.Advent begins the Sunday after November 26th and is displayed on a calendar.

Netherlands

Continent—EuropeCapital—AmsterdamReligion—Catholicism & ChristianityLanguage—Dutch

Christmas in the Netherlands

On Christmas Eve, they have dinner and go to church.Sinterklaas, Santa’s cousin, brings gifts on December 5th.Black Peter assists Sinterklaas and tells him who’s bad or good.

Israel

Continent: AsiaCapital: JerusalemReligion: JudaismLanguage: Hebrew

Hanukkah in Israel

Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days.The menorah has nine candles. One for each night of Hanukah and one to light the others.Potato latkes with applesauce are a favorite Hanukkah treat.Dreidel is a fun game they play during Hanukkah.

ItalyContinent: EuropeCapital: RomeReligion: CatholicismLanguage: Italian

Christmas in Italy

La Befana was asked to look for the Christmas Baby with the three Kings, but she was too busy so she still searches for the Baby to this day.La Befana leaves gifts in shoes on Epiphany Eve.The nine days of Christmas is called Novena.

Sweden

Continent: EuropeCapital:StockholmReligion: LutheranLanguage: Swedish

Christmas in Sweden

The Feast of St. Lucia begins on December 13th.It ends on St. Canute’s Day which is January 13th.The oldest daughter dresses in white and wears a lighted wreath on her head on St. Lucia Day.

Great Britain (England)

Continent: EuropeCapital: LondonReligion: CatholicismLanguage: English

Christmas in Great Britain

Christmas cards and Christmas carols are said to have begun in Great Britain.Father Christmas fills the stockings.Stuffed turkey or goose is served on Christmas Day.