Christmas Eve Differs In Countries Around the World.
The night before Christmas, Christmas Eve, is a very magical and special time of the year. Children are “wide-eyed” with anticipation on what tomorrow will bring. They have been waiting for this time of the year for a long, long time, and it is finally here. Christmas Eve traditions differ in various countries around the world, and in this article we will be exploring some of these traditions.
This big night has been a long time in the planning. Santa and his little helpers have been working tirelessly throughout the year to get ready for just this moment. Taking all these gifts around the world to all the good boys and girls can work up quite the appetite. Children to the rescue. They understand that Santa needs nourishment to complete such a huge task, so they leave him a little something to keep him going. Kids from Britain and the United States will leave out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. British and Australian children prefer to leave mince pies and sherry. Hoping to satisfy Santa’s love of chocolate, kids from Sweden will leave brownies.
Santa’s reindeer are not to be forgotten on this big night. After all, they need to pull a sleigh filled with Christmas presents around the world. How tough is that? Once again, children to the rescue. Kids from the United States, Canada, Britain, and Australia leave a carrot to give those reindeer that “extra boost of energy” that they are going to need to make that final push. Children who follow the Dutch custom of sinterklass go a bit further in that they leave some hay with a carrot in a shoe. When they wake up the next morning the shoe will be replaced by a gift.
Reading books and watching television or videos have become a Christmas Eve tradition as well. One popular book is “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clark Moore. Popular videos are: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or Frosty the Snowman. For those who like to sing Christmas Carols, popular titles are: Here Comes Santa Claus, Up on the Housetop, or Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
Just before going to bed, children around the world put their stockings on mantels in hope that “Santa will soon be here”, or so the song goes. They are full of anticipation that Santa will fill them with gifts, candy, and other goodies…ready for them when they wake up tomorrow morning. A quick look up the chimney to ensure that he has not arrived yet, a glance out the window to see if they can catch a glimpse of a passing sleigh, and perhaps unlocking the front door (in case Santa has problems navigating the chimney), then off to bed…
Up til now it seems that children have been doing all the work, but not it’s time for mom and dad to join in on all the action. There are plenty of gifts that need to be placed under the Christmas tree. Many times these gifts will be signed “From Santa” or “Love Santa”.
We hope you liked this little tour of the traditions on the night before Christmas. In future articles we will be examining other aspects of the Christmas tradition. Hope you will join us…
Learn more about Christmas Gift Giving. Stop by Emily Latimer’s site where you can find out all about completing that Christmas List.
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