foods, traditions, family get togethers, alcohol consumption, gifts, santa, oh and food!!!!!!! oh I already said that,,,,,,,,, yummmm
2006-12-26 14:47:15 · 9 answers · asked by ? 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
In Europe, they don't exchange gifts until the day after Christmas. It's called Boxing Day. they do it in Canada, too.
2006-12-26 17:02:31 · answer #1 · answered by bkendalsven 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The reason for the Christmas celebration is the same for Christians - the birth of Jesus Christ. Through the centuries each country has incorporated their own traditions into the Christmas season. The "tannenbaum" is a German tradition - although some say the Christmas tree originated in Sweden. It is said that Santa Claus also began in Sweden. In Italy a fish dinner is typical at Christmas, in Mexico tamales are enjoyed. One major difference - in the US Christmas eve and day are celebrated but January 6th - the Epiphany is often overlooked. In many European countries January 6th is a major holiday. Although gifts may be exchanged on Christmas the main day for gift exchanges is January 6th. In addition, many European countries look forward to "santa" coming but since January 6th is so popular countries have other bearers of gifts. In Italy La Befana brings gifts...or lumps of coal to good boys and girls.
As people immagrated to the US they bought their traditions with them. The US has incorporated many of these into what we see today - Santa, elves, reindeer, wreaths, Christmas trees and so on. Regardless of the traditions...it really is all about Jesus - something I am afraid we often forget. Have a blessed Christmas and a joyful New Year!
2006-12-26 23:01:20 · answer #2 · answered by RITI 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I am from Germany originally, and my family always celebrated christmas on christmas eve night. So this is what we would do...
Christmas Eve around 5pm we would all sit down at the dinner table, and have a nice german dinner (roast, ham, gravy, mashed potatos, dumblings...etc..) then after we all helped my mom clean the kitchen, we would calmly exchange gifts. Usually out of respect we would let our parents open theirs first, and then my mom and dad would hand us each individual gift.
There is a Santa, but mainly we call him the christ child, so i guess it would be jesus... not really too sure on that one. But i know that instead of santa coming, its like an angel of some sort. When it comes to alcohol, my parents never really drank much, but i know usually on special occations like that, people tend to drink more wine than liqure.
oh yeah, and if i remember correctly, i think i remember santa actually coming to our house while we were awake, and asking us if we think we've been good this year, and then giving us a little present.. but that might have just been somehting my parents did extra.
2006-12-26 22:59:24 · answer #3 · answered by eguth23 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not much really. However, they do have an added bonus to the Christmas season and he is called, St. Nick! If you are a good boy or girl he will leave you treats in your shoes and if you are bad you will receive twigs!
2006-12-26 22:52:15 · answer #4 · answered by robinowitzz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
not a thing,except no after Christmas sales
2006-12-26 22:52:47 · answer #5 · answered by lily_shaine 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
nothing we just speak a different language
2006-12-26 22:54:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i am sure you will find many many differences of how they celebrate this holiday!!
2006-12-26 23:14:58 · answer #7 · answered by wise 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well sugar plum the places mentioned and your country all have something in common.
"SELFCENTEREDNESS".
2006-12-26 23:02:37 · answer #8 · answered by robert m 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
nothing
2006-12-26 22:49:03 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋