Education World® - Lesson Planning Skills Page: Christmas Celebrations Around The World

DIRECTIONS: Following are three more explanations of Christmas celebrations around the world. For these and many others, be sure to take a look at the Multicultural Calendar Web site. There you can sort the lengthy listing by month, by holiday celebration, or by country.

AUSTRALIA
Boxing Day, December 26, is a public holiday in Australia. The day probably takes its name from the fact that on the day after Christmas in Britain the alms [charity] boxes which had been placed in the churches over the Christmas period were opened. The contents were distributed to the poor. On the same day, apprentices and servants broke open small earthenware boxes in which their masters had deposited small sums of money. In large households, the family may have used this day to distribute Christmas boxes to their staff. In Canberra [Boxing Day] is the start of the annual exodus to the beach and a holiday at the coast.

Josh

DENMARK
In Denmark we eat turkey every Christmas � You get your presents late in Christmas Eve. You also have a sermon in church on Christmas Eve. Then you go to your relatives or home to celebrate � We eat rice a la malte. We put an almond in one and the one who gets it wins a prize. Then we dance around the Christmas tree when we have eaten.

Mette

MEXICO
Christmas festivities begin with "Las Posadas," nine days from [December 16 to December 24] of lively parties. In villages and urban neighborhoods throughout Mexico, youngsters gather each afternoon to re-enact the holy family's quest for lodging in Bethlehem � The parade stops at a designated house to sing a traditional [song]. Holiday festivities end on "Noche Buena" (Christmas Eve) when families head home for a traditional Christmas supper and opening of gifts for the children. December 25th is set aside as a day to rest and enjoy the holiday. [On Christmas Eve] my family gathers for a traditional Christmas supper: "tamales" and Champurrado (corn gruel), or other traditional dishes. We dance and wait for 12 midnight to exchange and open gifts! Most relatives stay for the leftovers the next day.

Dolores