All around the world, people celebrate Christmas. And all around the world, people have taken the celebration of the birth of Jesus and made a Christmas that fits their own country. To hear more about these very different kinds of Christmas, visit our pages about these countries.

COUNTRIES

Ireland   -    Spain   -   St. Lucia   -   Mexico    -   Norway Kenya    -   Sweden   -   Britain   -    Finland   -   Ukraine Italy   -   Austria    -   Lebanon   -   France   -    Germany New Zealand   -   South Africa    -   Australia Czech Republic   -   Switzerland

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IRELAND

In IRELAND, children often put out Christmas sacks instead of stockings. It is tradition to leave mince pies and a bottle of Guinness out as a snack for Santa. NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! Back to Countries List

SPAIN

In SPAIN, Papa Noel delivers his presents by climbing up balconies. On January 6, the three wise men come to visit and also leave gifts for the children. FELIZ NAVÏDAD! Back to Countries List

ST-LUCIA

In ST. LUCIA, houses are decorated with pots of poinsettas as well as Christmas trees. It is a tradition for everyone to wear brand new clothes to the large, family Christmas dinners. DON NÖEL! Back to Countries List

MEXICO

In MEXICO, children sometimes leave their shoes out instead of stockings. On Christmas Eve there is a parade of singers carrying bells and candles on top of long poles. They wind through the streets until they get to the local church. FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROSPERO AÑO NUE VO!!! Back to Countries List

NORWAY

In NORWAY, on Christmas Eve, a bowl of porridge, "nisse" is left in the barn for the gnome who protects the farm. When the children first see their Christmas tree all decorated, with presents underneath, the family joins hands and circles the tree singing carols. Back to Countries List

KENYA

In KENYA, the churches are decorated with balloons, ribbons, flowers and green plants as well as Christmas trees. Christmas dinner is often a barbecue with family members traveling from far away to be together again. Back to Countries List

SWEDEN

In SWEDEN, "Jultomten", a little brownie helps Santa Claus give gifts to the children who have been good. On Christmas morning, churches are lit up entirely by candles for the Christmas service. Back to Countries List

BRITAIN

In BRITAIN, children write their letters to Father Christmas and then throw them into the fireplace so they will float up the chimney and fly to the North Pole. If the lists catch fire first, they have to rewrite them. At Christmas dinner, a plum pudding is served with little treasures hidden inside that bring their finders good luck. Britain was the first country to hang up mistletoe. Back to Countries List

FINLAND

In FINLAND, it is a tradition to have a sauna bath before Santa's visit. On Christmas day most people go to "Christmas Church" and afterwards visit the grave sites of their loved ones and light candles for them. Hyvää Joulua! Back to Countries List

UKRAINE

In the UKRAINE, Father Frost visits all the children in a sleigh pulled by only three reindeer. He brings along a little girl named Snowflake Girl. She wears a silver blue costume trimmed with white fur and a crown shaped like a snowflake. Back to Countries List

ITALY

In ITALY, on the evening of the day after Christmas, children are visited by a good witch named Strega Buffana. She flies around Italy on a broom and leaves treats for good children and coal for naughty children. It is tradition to give a bag of dried lentils to your good friends to make lentil soup. This is a peasant soup and reminds them of their humble beginnings and is eaten to bring good luck and prosperity in the New Year. Back to Countries List

AUSTRIA

In AUSTRIA, on December 6, Heiliger Nikolaus (St. Nicholas) rewards good children with sweets, nuts and apples. On December 24, the Christ Child brings presents and the Christmas tree for the children. The children wait until they hear a bell tinkling. Then they enter a special room where the Christmas tree is waiting all decorated with candles, ornaments and candies. The whole family sings Christmas carols and wishes each other: FROLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! FROHE WEIHNACHTEN! Back to Countries List

LEBANON

In LEBANON, families plant seeds of grain in small pots a month before Christmas. When Christmas arrives they have little pots of green to place around the Christmas Cave and their Christmas Tree. The Christmas Cave holds the nativity scene of Jesus's birth. Back to Countries List

FRANCE

In FRANCE, young children leave their shoes by the fire on Christmas Eve for a gift from "le père Noël" while the older children and adults go to church at midnight and then return home for a late supper called "le réveillon". Christmas puppet shows are very popular in France, mainly in Paris and in Lyons. Back to Countries List

GERMANY

In GERMANY, children decorate their Christmas Lists with pictures and then leave them on the windowsill overnight, weighed down with a little sugar so they won't be missed by Father Christmas. There is a flower in Germany called the Christmas Rose which blooms even in the snow and ice. Frohes Weihnachtsfest Back to Countries List

NEW ZEALAND

In New Zealand, it is the middle of summer at Christmas time. Instead of a hot drink Santa often gets a cooling beer as a snack on Christmas Eve. Christmas day families often have a picnic or go to the beach for Christmas Dinner. It is more traditional to have a cold ham than a hot turkey. Back to Countries List

SOUTH AFRICA

In SOUTH AFRICA, Christmas comes in the middle of the summer. After a large Christmas lunch, families visit the homes of friends to ask for and receive a "Christmas box" which usually has food inside. There are eleven languages in South Africa. Here are the five most common ways of saying "Merry Christmas"! Merry Christmas - English Geseënde Kersfees - Afrikaans Sinifisela Ukhisimusi Omuhle - Zulu Sinifisela Khisimusi Lomuhle - Swazi Matswalo a Morena a Mabotse - Sotho Back to Countries List

AUSTRALIA

In AUSTRALIA, Santa's sleigh is pulled by eight white kangaroos. Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors and is followed by a visit to the beach or a game of cricket. Back to Countries List

CZECH REPUBLIC

In the CZECH REPUBLIC, Saint Nicholas is helped by the Infant Jesus to give presents to the children. The Infant Jesus rings a little bell to let the children know he has come. People believe that Christmas Eve has a certain magic and that you can see your future on that night. VESELÉ VÁNOCE! Back to Countries List

SWITZERLAND

In SWITZERLAND, during the holiday season the Star Singers (Sternsingers) dressed as the Three Kings parade through the streets of cities and towns singing Christmas songs. In Zurich, Santa visits in a special fairytale tram and gives the children a ride through the city, singing songs with them and sharing a basket full of sweets. Back to Countries List

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History of the Town of
Santa Claus, Indiana
The naming of the town of Santa Claus, Indiana.