Author: ACS

Christmas in Mexico

Getting a great head start on the rest of the world, Mexicans start celebrating on December 16. It seems that there are so many Christmas activities, they have to take several weeks to enjoy them all!
Nativity Scenes are very common. In fact, Mexicans revere the Nativity so much that they recreate it with "Las Posadas". This is a time of grand celebration and gathering. Many people take part in a reenactment of the Birth of Christ. Many will also attend "Pastorelas" or plays about the shepards and their visit from the angel. In the spirit of a warm holiday, the outdoor markets offer sunny shopping and cool Christmas crafts. And to think, all these festivities last through 9 days!

311 West Seneca St. Apt. 25F
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Christmas is celebrated around the world in so many different ways. Look through the brochure to find out how Austrialia, Ireland, Germany and Mexico celebrate the holiday season!!

Phone: 315-212-2337
E-mail:swaterman99@aol.com

Syracuse City Schools

Syracuse City Schools

SW Publications

Tel 315 212 2337

Christmas in Germany

Christmas in Australia

Christmas in Ireland

One of the things I have learned, is that German people like to celebrate! They make merry with style, and Christmas is no exception! To keep up with the revelry, it is a good idea to have an advent calender to count the days. Compared to many other countries, the festivities start nearly a month early! On the eve of December 6, St. Nicholas makes his rounds carrying a list of all the children. According to legend, he leaves gifts for the good little kids, and coal for the naughty ones!

Gingerbread figures are another great tradition from Deutschland! We find examples of the famed Gingerbread House in a well-known German folk story- Hansel and Gretel. As a charming Christmas treat, the famed construction cookie has survived many years in the form of Gingerbread people and their tasty homes!

Most homes have fireplaces with mantelpieces and these are often decorated with holly and ornaments. It is common to hang mistletoe in a doorway (and to kiss under it!). Many children are given Advent Calendars, and each day in December they open one of the slots for a chocolate treat. It is traditional to give gifts (usually money) before the holidays to people who perform services during the year, for example to the milkman who delivers milk bottles to the door. People also clean their houses thoroughly and in the past, it was common to whitewash as well, as a means of purification.
During December, people bake Christmas cakes, puddings and mince pies.
Hospitality is a way of life in Ireland, and anyone who visits the house, is entertained with tea and cakes, especially during the holidays. Trees are decorated with a star or an angel on top. Children put a stocking (or a pillowcase!) at the bottom of their beds for Santa Claus.

Syracuse City Schools

311 West Seneca St. Apt. 25F
Manlius, NY 13104

Phone: 315-212-2337
E-mail:swaterman99@aol.com

Australians celebrate Christmas is in the middle of summer. But the Australians have a great time anyway, exchange Chrissie presies (like a Barbie) on the beach on December 25th. And they have a good laugh about it all, and celebrate their differences, as they do many things, with a joke on themselves. / Decorations include traditional European wreaths, but native plants called Christmas bush and Christmas bells are also widely used. Santa may be seen depicted in swimmers (a swimsuit), and arrives at Aussie beaches on a surfboard - quite a change from sliding down a chimney! Decorations can include Aussie images like kangaroos and koala bears stifling in Santa hats or red scarves! Christmas cards reflect the same extremes from traditional Victorian images to a summer Santa!