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Christmas Traditions from Around the World...
Christmas traditions have a way of feeling timeless for each special family. You may have seen the same ornaments year after year, sung the same Christmas songs and eaten the same Christmas foods since you can remember. Some Christmas traditions are as old as this country! Some Christmas traditions have pre-Christian roots and originate from pagan winter solstice celebrations or other Roman festivals. Other Christmas traditions are relatively modern; either rescued from long past forgotten or "customized" by a family or Christian group just recently. Some significant Christmas traditions include decorations, activities, trees, and food. Lets cover each of them...
Christmas Decorations Traditions...
In the United States, Americans spend roughly $8 billion on Christmas decorations each year! Tinsel, electric white or colorful lights for the tree and house, and lots of green trimmings are the three most popular decorations purchased. You would think ornaments would be #1 on the list but as Christmas traditions have it, most families use the same ornaments year after year - with a lot of the ornaments coming from other generations in their family.
Christmas Tree Traditions...
Evergreen trees and garlands were used as decorative symbols of eternal life by ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Hebrews. Some European pagans even worshiped evergreen trees. By medieval times, the western Germans used fir trees to represent the "Tree of Paradise" in mystery plays about Adam and Eve. They decorated the trees with apples and later with wafers to symbolize the host. The "eventual" Christmas trees grew increasing popular in Germany and settlers introduced them to North America in the 17th century. Many people also decorate with holly, mistletoe and ivy. In the 1890's, Christmas trees took another turn - people started lighting up their trees with electric bulbs. Today, almost every Christmas tree is filled with bright lights!
Christmas Activities Traditions...
Christmas activities start the day after Thanksgiving in many families. The man of the house drags all the Christmas decor and lights out of the attic and starts the annual outdoor light display around the house! In some neighborhoods, the Christmas home decorators compete over the most eloborate lighting displays while walking and drive-by spectators marvel at all the Christmas lights and lit up Santas. Schools and churches often stage Christmas pageants that reenact the Nativity - the birth of Jesus Christ. Saint Francis of Assisi started this custom in 1223, believing a life-size staging of the Crèche would make Jesus' story clear and accessible to all that would come see it. Christmas carols are still sometimes sung door to door by groups of friends or neighbors.
Christmas Food Traditions...
Traditional Christmas food depends on where you live - from green beans soaked in mushroom soup, to Aunt Betty's fruitcake, to a big fat turkey with all the dressings. Christmas fare is also a delicious combination of harvest feast foods, like ham, squash, mac & cheese, and potatoes. Many novelty treats copy other Christmas traditions: the Bûche de Nöel imitates the Yule log, gingerbread houses copy well-trimmed colorful chalets and cookie cutters turn out legions of trees, Rudolph's, Jesus stars, and good ole' Santa Claus.
You will find many different representations of Christmas traditions from around the world.
