Christmas Ideas

In Poland, Christmas is referred as Gwiazdka. Meaning of Gwiazdka is little star.

The Creche is the most beautiful artistic Polish Christmas tradition. It defines different plastic forms that represent scenes of Christmas. They make up an inseparable attribute of celebrations of Christmas.

There are various religious customs that most of the people of this country practice during the holiday season, but there are also some families that celebrate the Christmas season with a conventional set of holiday activities and traditions.

Christmas tree in Poland is known as Choinka. It is mainly a spruce. People decorate Christmas trees with stars, nuts, painted eggshells, candies and painted cookies. One of the solemn moments of Christmas celebrations is the celebration of Wigilia.

Blog post through ReBlog:

We all know that Christmas is a time of giving, through actions as well as gifts. But did you know that friendly Christmas deeds could actually reduce your risk of dying in the next 5 years by up to 60 per cent? SantaClaus, Every Day Should be Christmas: It’s Better to Give than to Receive, Aug 2008

 

Just like Denmark, Germany people put advent calendars during Christmas.Kids in German open one window of the calendar daily till the eve of Christmas.

Christkindl is the traditional visitor in Gereman, she is a beautiful maiden with a bright shining crown of candles in her hands. She visits most of the house with a basket of presents as a part of the Christmas Celebrations.

German boys dress like kings and sing carols while touring the village. December 6 is celebrated as St. Claus day also called Nikolaustag.

German people make an Advent wreath of fir or pine branches with four colored candles, four Sundays before Christmas. They also light a candle on the wreath each Sunday and sing Christmas songs.

Another Interesting blog post through REBLOG-

piedro, Decorating For Christmas: 12 Things About Christmas, Nov 2008

I found this fascinating quote today:

Nearly every French home at Christmastime displays a Nativity scene which are called crèche, and is the centerpiece of the Christmas celebration. It’s often decorated with small clay figurines called santons that represent little saints.  Santons are a tradition that’s been handed down through the generations.  They are made by craftsmen in the south of France, and can be purchased during annual Christmas fairs. The Sapin de Noël, or Christmas tree, is also an important Christmas centerpiece. It is found decorating homes, streets, shops, offices, and factories. It was introduced to France by a German princess called Hélène de Mecklembourg. She brought one to Paris after her marriage to the French heir to the throne, the Duke of Orléans. The idea of the Christmas tree came from Alsace in the 14th century. In those days, people decorated Christmas trees with apples, paper flowers, and ribbons. To the French, the Christmas tree symbolizes light and the movement of angels, the gifts of the orchards and fields, forests and sea. All of these gifts are topped off by the star atop the tree that points to Heaven.  The French bake a traditional Yule cake in the shape of a log, called the Buche de Nol, meaning Christmas log.  It’s served at the great seasonal feast called the Le Reveillon, a supper served following midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Depending on the region of France, the menu might include goose, turkey, or oysters. French children receive gifts from Pere Noel who travels with his stern disciplinarian companion Pre Fouettard whose job it is to remind Pere Noel exactly who has behaved that year and who has not. In some parts of France Pere Noel brings small gifts on St. Nicholas Eve, December 6, and visits again on Christmas. In other places it is believed to be Le Petit Jesus, or baby Jesus, who brings the gifts. Adults generally wait until New Year’s Day to exchange gifts.Decorate your Sapin de Noel in France for Christmas | Christmas Holiday Season Blog, Nov 2008

Christmas in Ireland celebrated as a most relegious festival than the tome to have fun.  Irish place red candles on the windows decorated with sprigs of holly so that Mary and Joseph looking for shelter may find the way to their homes. 

On the eve of Christmas, the door is left open for Mary & Joseph and bread & milk are left out.  They consider this as a symbol of hospitality.

Children participate in the Wren Boys Procession, in which boys go from home to home carrying a fake wren on a stick, singing carols and playing musical instruments like violins, accordions, harmonicas and horns.

Irish kids put out sacks to receive presents from Santa rather than stockings and leave mince pies and a bottle of Guinness for him with the sack.

Christmas is a celebration of humanity.  Though India is not a Christian country, Christwas is celebrated as a universal festival through out the nation.  The celebration of Christmas shows that even people from different religion takes part in Christmas celebration just as the Indian Christians do.

Because of European influence on the country for so long the religion has spread across the country. The doctrines and philosophies of Christianity converted people of many sects to Christianity and today, there is a large Christian community thriving in India that has adopted the Christians festivals as a part of Indian culture as well.

 Christians in India decorate with banana or mango trees instead of traditional pine tree. They also light small oil-burning lamps as Christmas decorations and fill their churches with red flowers.  Christians in India decorate banana or mango trees instead of traditional pine tree. They also light small oil-burning lamps as Christmas decorations and fill their churches with red flowers.

People decorate their houses and churches with poinsettia flowers for the midnight mass. In South India, the Christians put small clay lamps on the rooftops and walls of their houses at Christmas, just as the Hindus do during their festival called Diwali.

The local Indian customs and tradition and customs have a heavy impact on the Indian Christian. And this is visible in their decoration as many Indian Christians decorate their houses with mango leaves.

Christmas decoration is the tradition and creativity. We must try to decorate our home in such a way that it exudes a spirit of festivity as well as intimacy. We should involve all members of your family in decorating our home for Christmas, particularly children.

They are usually not only the most enthusiastic, but also the most creative people you will possibly have around you. Include their ideas in your decoration schemes and encourage them execute their plans to the best of their abilities. Of course, there are certain things you cannot leave to them, but make sure that everyone gets a fair share in the preparations.