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Temat nie dotyczy koni zupełnie, ale raczej szkoły.
Sprawa przedstawia się kiepsko, bo muszę zanieść na lekcję angielskiego projekt o tradycjach świątecznych. Znalazłam już świetny tekst, ale po polsku! Mój angielski nie jest bardzo zły, ale z przetłumaczeniem tego, żeby było poprawne gramatycznie, nie poradzę sobie za życia. Proszę was, pomóżcie mi! Czas mam do przyszłego tygodnia, jeżeli ktoś jest w stanie mi pomuc, bardzo bym o to prosiła Pomocy!

Tu jest artykuł :

Boże Narodzenie to najweselsze i najbardziej zaskakujące święta. Wszyscy cenią sobie ich specyficzny klimat, który roztacza się na wiele dni przed i po 25 grudnia. I chociaż w poszczególnych krajach tradycje i zwyczaje różnią się między sobą, to wszędzie to święto obchodzone jest uroczyście.

Tradycja wigilijna w Polsce:

Jarząca się ozdobami choinka, śpiew staropolskich kolęd i biel opłatka na wigilijnym stole, a potem najczęściej powtarzane życzenia:
radosnych i błogosławionych świąt - to tradycyjne elementy wigilijnej wieczerzy. Potem jeszcze drobne prezenty pod choinką, dowody naszej wzajemnej życzliwości i już niby ewangeliczni pasterze śpieszymy do kościoła, aby zobaczyć, co się tej nocy wydarzyło, aby przeżyć jeszcze raz tajemnicę Bożej miłości objawionej w małym Dziecięciu. Drugim istotnym elementem Adwentu i przeżywania Bożego Narodzenia, charakterystycznym dla polskiej religijności, jest spowiedź adwentowa.
Polska wieczerza wigilijna to rzecz bez precedensu! Właściwie tylko wtedy obchodzi się tzw. wigilię, czyli wieczór poprzedzający uroczystość i to do tego stopnia, że wręcz utożsamia się te nazwy. Od wieków też 24 grudnia się pości, by w ten sposób podkreślić wagę tego dnia i wieczerzy. Dobór wyjątkowych potraw jest również uświęcony, a niektórych wręcz nie wypada spożywać poza tym dniem.
Charakterystyczną cechą świąt Bożego Narodzenia jest śpiew kolęd, zwłaszcza w krajach słowiańskich, z czym wiąże się także zwyczaj kolędowania, przeważnie przez dzieci i młodzież, to znaczy obchodzenia domów ze śpiewem kolęd i składaniem życzeń.

Jak zatem przeżywa się Boże Narodzenie w innych krajach?

Na przykład w Anglii:

Anglicy już w połowie listopada zaczynają świąteczne przygotowania. Zaczynają od kupowania gwiazdkowych prezentów dla rodziny i znajomych. Główne ulice w Londynie – Oxford i Regent Street wyglądają w tym okresie najpiękniej, a na Trafalgar Square można spotkać większość mieszkańców miasta, gromadzących się wokół olbrzymiej choinki postawionej obok pomnika Nelsona, która jest tradycyjnym darem Norwegów od czasów II wojny światowej. Tam też, podczas świąt, wraz z występującymi chórami z różnych stron świata śpiewają kolędy. Anglicy nie obchodzą Wigilii. Świąteczny posiłek spożywają w pierwszy dzień świąt Bożego Narodzenia. Tradycyjnym daniem jest pieczony indyk nadziewany kasztanami, zupa żółwiowa oraz tzw. christmas pudding – rodzaj deseru. W drugi dzień świąt zwanym dniem pudełek – Boxing Day otwiera się otrzymane prezenty.

...w Argentynie:

Tutaj święta Bożego Narodzenia obchodzone są bardzo hucznie. Przy ogromnym stole zastawionym jedzeniem mieszkańcy wraz rodziną, znajomymi i sąsiadami bawią się i żartują. Główny i najważniejszym daniem jest pieczony prosiak, a dopiero o północy zaczyna się konsumowanie słodyczy, zabawa i tańce do samego rana. W tych harcach uczestniczą również dzieci. Tego dnia nie ma zwyczaju obdarowywania się prezentami, jest to praktykowane w dniu Trzech Króli – 6 stycznia.

... w Australii:

Ze względu na klimat, święta Bożego Narodzenia w Australii spędza się w niecodziennej scenerii. W ten najważniejszy dzień mieszkańcy gromadzą się na plażach, rozkładają śnieżnobiałe obrusy, na których nie brak niczego. Są tam – podobnie jak w innych krajach - pieczone indyki, małe ciasteczka z bakaliami o wymyślnych kształtach, owocowe puddingi i ciasto, przypominające polski keks. W tym dniu plaże przypominają jeden wielki świąteczny stół. Nie brakuje również prezentów, które można znaleźć pod choinką, w ogromnej wełnianej skarpecie. Australijczycy rozdają je sobie w domu, po „wielkiej uczcie” na plaży. Oprócz tego wysyłają wszystkim znajomym kartki świąteczne, a otrzymane prezentują pod choinką.

... w Grecji:

Podobnie jak w pozostałe dni w roku, Grecy wieczór wigilijny najchętniej spędzają poza domem, spotykając się z przyjaciółmi w barach, klubach i restauracjach. Domowa wieczerza wigilijna spożywana jest o bardzo późnej porze. Najważniejszym daniem jest faszerowany indyk, z pikantnym, ryżowo - mięsnym nadzieniem. Boże Narodzenie trwa tutaj chyba najdłużej na świecie, bo aż 12 dni. I aż dwukrotnie w tym czasie Grecy obdarowują się nawzajem nieprawdopodobną liczbą prezentów: w wieczór wigilijny i w noc sylwestrową, kiedy to przynosi je kto? ... święty Bazyli

... w Hiszpanii:

W tym kraju bardziej świątecznie niż Boże Narodzenie obchodzi się święto Trzech Króli. Wtedy to do miasta zawija statek, który na swym pokładzie przywozi tychże Władców wraz z ich jucznymi wielbłądami. Nawiązując do ich tradycji Hiszpanie podczas tego święta odwiedzają znajomych i rozdają prezenty. Tradycyjnym daniem jest keks – ciasto w którym zapieka się drobne niespodzianki, np. monety. Kto na nie trafi ma obowiązek upiec keks za rok. Nowy Rok jest witany przez mieszkańców Hiszpanii zazwyczaj na ulicach miast. Z wybiciem północy wg sylwestrowego zwyczaju tak zwanych „winogronowych wróżb”, należy pomyśleć życzenie i zjeść winogrona, które z tej okazji można kupić na ulicznych straganach.

... w USA:

Święta w USA trwają tylko jeden dzień – rozpoczynają się i kończą 25 grudnia. Wigilia i post nie są tam znane, a drugi dzień Bożego Narodzenia jest normalnym dniem pracy. Cały okres przedświąteczny, który zaczyna się w dzień po największym święcie Ameryki – Święcie Dziękczynienia (czwarty piątek listopada) jest właściwym okresem świąt – to tak jakby święta przed świętami. Najbardziej odczuwa się to na ulicach miast i w sklepach, gdzie pełno jest sztucznego śniegu, św. Mikołajów, sań zaprzężonych w renifery i rozbrzmiewających z głośników kolęd. Ludzi ogarnia szał kupowania gwiazdkowych prezentów – najpierw wykupują co się da, a po świętach oddają z powrotem. Tradycja nakazuje otwierać prezenty w wieczór Bożego Narodzenia, ale już po skromnym śniadaniu, zazwyczaj u dzieci zwycięża ciekawość i niespodzianki zostają rozpakowane. Oczywiście obowiązkowo jest choinka, stroiki na drzwiach i tradycyjny pieczony indyk.

... w Szwecji:

Okres Bożego Narodzenia rozpoczyna się tutaj podobnie jak w Polsce, czyli z pierwszym dniem Adwentu - na 4 tygodnie przed Wigilią. Szczególnie uroczyście obchodzi się dzień 13 grudnia – tzw. Świętą Łucję. Wczesnym rankiem tego dnia wyrusza pochód dzieci-przebierańców. Dziewczynki ubierają się w proste, białe, długie sukienki. Niektóre z nich mają na głowie koronę ze świeczek, inne srebrny łańcuszek, a w rękach trzymają świeczki. Chłopcy przebierają się za krasnale i pierniczki, lub zakładają długie koszule z papierowym, białym rożkiem na głowie, a w ręku mają gwiazdę. Tradycyjnymi smakołykami są pierniczki i szafranowe bułeczki o różnych kształtach. Dzień przed Wigilią rodzina spotyka się wspólnie na tzw. „dopp i grytan”, gdzie spożywają specjalnie na ten cel upieczony chleb maczany w podgrzanym sosie.
Podczas Wigilii na tzw. szwedzkim stole znaleźć można potrawy tj.: śledzie przyrządzane na różne sposoby, wędzonego łososia i węgorza, galaretkę cielęcą, kiełbaski, pasztety, szynkę i małe kulki z mielonego mięsa, różnego rodzaju kapusty oraz mnóstwo słodkości. Jak widać Wigilia luterańska nie jest postna – jedyną postną potrawą jest tzw. lutfisk – specjalnie przyrządzona i podana ryba. Podobnie jak w innych krajach po kolacji przychodzi czas na mikołajkowe prezenty, śpiewy i tańce wokół choinki.

... w Indonezji:

Boże Narodzenie jest oznaką radości i czegoś nowego, lepszego. Wszyscy cieszą się, że będą nowe kolędy, tańce i ubrania. Wszystko to po to, aby wg tradycji, dostojnego gościa – Jezusa, przywitać jak najlepiej. Jednakże w domu nie ma choinek (w niektórych rejonach choinki w ogóle nie rosną), zastępują je inne drzewka. Pasterka odprawiana jest wieczorem, pod koniec której, wódz ubrany w tradycyjny strój, z kogutem i alkoholem palmowym wita Jezusa w tamtejszym języku. Następnie przenosi się Pana Jezusa do żłóbka, a po mszy ludzie odwiedzają się nawzajem i przekazują sobie „siłę turahmi”) – po arabsku tzw. znak pokoju Chrystusa.

... w Indiach:

Wg zwyczaju, zawsze na święta – zarówno chrześcijanie, hindusi jak i muzułmanie – kupują nowe ubranie. Tradycyjnie na ok. 10 dni przed Bożym Narodzeniem zaczynają się wielkie przygotowania świąteczne. Mieszkańcy dekorują ulice, domy i kościoły, malując różne wzory na podłogach i przed domami. Podczas świąt organizowany jest konkurs na szopkę, którą stawia się zazwyczaj w widocznym miejscu przed domem. Wszystkie eksponaty ogląda i ocenia specjalna parafialna komisja. Przed kościołem po uroczystej mszy przez całą noc trwają różne loterie, a dzieci podobnie jak kolędnicy chodzą od domu do domu prosząc o błogosławieństwo.

...w Kolumbii:

Radość z Bożego Narodzenia przeżywają chrześcijanie nie tylko w naszym kraju, ale również w Afryce, Ameryce, Azji i Australii. Wszyscy wielbią Boga, który przyszedł na ziemię, aby zbawić ludzi. W Kolumbii Święta Bożego Narodzenia obchodzone są bardzo uroczyście, choć trochę inaczej niż w Polsce. Miejscowi chrześcijanie przygotowują się do nich dużo wcześniej.

Święto Niepokalanego Poczęcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny - 8 grudnia - jest jak gdyby początkiem obchodów Świąt Bożego Narodzenia. Tego dnia ludzie uczestniczą we Mszy św., a wieczorem przed domami zapalają świece i wychodzą na ulice. Wszystkich ogarnia radosny nastrój - wspólnie śpiewają i tańczą. Jest to wyraz ich wielkiej miłości i czci do Matki Bożej. Od tego też dnia rozpoczyna się przystrajanie ulic, które stają coraz bardziej kolorowe i wesołe. Z dnia na dzień miasta przybierają odświętny wygląd.
W tym szczególnym okresie również poszczególne domy - zarówno biedne jak i bogate - przypominają o nadchodzących Świętach. Przystrojone są kolorowymi lampkami, które nie gasną nawet we dnie. Lampkami udekorowane są także budynki użyteczności publicznej, biurowce, a nawet kościoły. Układa się z nich najróżniejsze figury - dzwonki, gwiazdy i anioły. Niektóre z nich dochodzą do 30 metrów wysokości. Wielu ludzi przed swoimi domami ozdabia różnego rodzaju krzewy, podobnie jak my choinkę (w Kolumbii nie jest ona znana).
Każdego wieczoru rodziny wychodzą na ulice, aby cieszyć oczy wspaniałymi widokami. Dziewięć dni przed Bożym Narodzeniem rozpoczyna się uroczysta nowenna do Dzieciątka Jezus, która gromadzi licznych chrześcijan. Dorośli i dzieci tłumnie zbierają się w kościołach, aby się modlić i śpiewać kolędy. Po każdym takim modlitewnym spotkaniu wszystkie dzieci otrzymują w prezencie specjalną potrawę z bakaliami - coś w rodzaju naszego budyniu - podawaną z małymi niesłodkimi pączkami.
W Kolumbii nie ma zwyczaju obdarowywania dzieci upominkami z okazji Świąt Bożego Narodzenia. Nie ma również wieczerzy wigilijnej ani dzielenia się opłatkiem.
24 grudnia wierni uczestniczą w uroczystej wieczornej Mszy św., po której wspólnie świętują aż do rana. Może właśnie z tego powodu w dzień Bożego Narodzenia kościoły są prawie puste.
(ks. Sławomir Ciarciński SAC)

...na Filipinach:

Na Filipinach już od listopada cały kraj przybiera odświętną szatę. Z palmowych liści i kwiatów robi się kolorowe girlandy, które przymocowuje się do okien i drzwi domów. Potem przychodzi czas śpiewania kolęd. Przez dziewięć dni przed Bożym Narodzeniem, wczesnym rankiem, dźwięk trąbki budzi mieszkańców miast i wsi, aby uczestniczyli w uroczystej Mszy św. Ostatnia Msza odprawiana jest w noc wigilijną, a po niej dzieci urządzają "żywą szopkę".

...w Kamerunie:

W Kamerunie Boże Narodzenie jest przede wszystkim świętem dzieci. W tym czasie mają one miesiąc wakacji po to, aby pomóc rodzicom przy zbiorach kawy i orzeszków arachidowych. Jednak dzień 24 grudnia jest ich świętem. Dzieci zbierają się przy ogniskach. Odmawiają modlitwę liturgiczną i czytają wyjątki z Pisma Świętego, a potem zaczynają się śpiewy i tańce, które trwają przez całą noc.

...w Boliwii:

Indianie w Boliwii nazywają Boże Narodzenie "Świętem Dzieciątka Zbawiciela". Budują szopki i umieszczają w nich postacie ludzi i zwierząt. W dniu 24 grudnia rodziny wyruszają w pochodzie w stronę kościoła. Każdy niesie "swoje" Dzieciątko.

Po Mszy św. ustawiają się w długim szeregu i czekają na poświęcenie figurek. Kiedy już to nastąpi, wracają do swych domów przy dźwiękach muzyki. Śpiewają kolędę: "Ta noc jest najpiękniejsza i nie można podczas niej spać". Dlatego też śpiewy i tańce trwają aż do rana. Dla Indian nie ma święta bez rytmicznych tańców - jest to także forma ich modlitwy.

...w Meksyku:

W Meksyku uroczystości Bożonarodzeniowe zaczynają się dziewięć dni wcześniej. Każdej nocy odbywa się procesja, która ma przypominać poszukiwanie przez Maryję i Józefa betlejemskiej gospody. Na przedzie procesji idzie dwoje ludzi, którzy wyobrażają Maryję i Józefa. Wierni, chodząc od domu do domu, śpiewają radosne pieśni. Ostatniego dnia w jednym z domów otwierają się drzwi i gościnni gospodarze zapraszają pielgrzymów do środka. W tym okresie odwiedza się znajomych, wymieniając przy tym prezenty. Najwięcej radości mają wtedy dzieci. Specjalnie dla nich wiesza się przy suficie kolorowe kubeczki napełnione piaskiem lub mąką, a wśród nich jeden z niespodzianką. Dzieci odgadują, w którym kubeczku ukryty jest prezent.

...w Malawi:

W Malawi, tam gdzie jeszcze nie znają kalendarza, i tak wszyscy wiedzą, kiedy przypada Boże Narodzenie. Nawet gdyby rok był nieurodzajny, to jednak w tym dniu przygotowuje się wyjątkowe potrawy na wspólny posiłek. Ludzie schodzą się do kościoła nawet z odległości 100 kilometrów (w tym kraju jest bardzo mało kościołów) i składają małemu Jezusowi swe skromne dary: jajko, trochę ziarna, czasem drobną monetę czy ozdobną szpilkę.

Oczywiśce nie proszę was żebyście pomogli mi przetłumaczyć cały. Przynajmniej trzy kraje + polska i anglia, tyle mi wystarczy.

ps. Proszę, proszę pomocy!

Poproś Patryka

Jak go spotkam to poproszę.

nie ma sprawy jesli chodzi o mnie moge ci pomoc tylko na kiedy to ma byc?bo jak moge w weekend ci napisac...to bedziesz miec w niedz przetlumaczona calosc

Hmm ... mam to na wtorek chyba.
Z tłumaczeniem już szczęśliwie mam spokuj (inna strona)
Ale nie za wiele z tego rozumiem. Mam do ciebie prośbę, mogła byś to skrócić, tak żeby nie za dużo ozdobników było, tylko najważniejsze informacje? No i poprawić oczywiście. Co do tego projektu to wyznaję zasadę : im mniej tym lepiej Puszcza oko

Jakbyś z tym zdążyła do niedzieli była bym bardzo, bardzo wdzięczna. To artykuł :

Christmas in Africa
Preparation for Christmas in the Congo begins when some group is designated to prepare the annual Christmas pageant.
Christmas day begins with groups of carolers walking to and fro through the village, along the roadway, by the houses of the missionaries, singing the lovely carols known the world around. Often people may be awakened by a group of carolers beginning to converge on the house of worship. They return home to make final preparation as to the clothes one must wear and also as to his offering for the Christmas service.
The most important part of their Christmas worship service is the love offering, this is the gift in honor of Jesus. Then at about 8 or 9 o'clock everyone makes their way to the celebration of the birthday of Jesus.
Everyone who attends the service goes forward to lay down their gift upon the raised platform near the Communion table. Not one person will attend the service without giving a gift.
Now people have Christmas dinners after the service, preparing tables out in front of their home and inviting many of their intimate friends to share.
Christmas in South Africa is a summer holiday. In December, the southern summer brings glorious days of sunshine that carry an irresistible invitation to the beaches, the rivers, and the shaded mountain slopes. Then the South African holiday season reaches its height. Schools are closed, and camping is the order of the day. In South Africa there is no snow, but it has many flowers, many beautiful varieties of cultivated and wild flowers being in their full pride.
In the cities and towns carolers make their rounds on Christmas Eve. Church services are held on Christmas morning. Christmas Eve celebrations in larger centers include "Carols by Candlelight" and special screen and floor shows.
Homes are decorated with pine branches, and all have the decorated Christmas fir in a corner, with presents for the children around. At bedtime on Christmas Eve, children may also hang up their stockings for presents from Father Christmas.
Many South Africans have a Christmas dinner in the open-air lunch. For many more, it is the traditional dinner of either turkey, roast beef, mince pies, or suckling pig, yellow rice with raisins, vegetables, and plum pudding, crackers, paper hats, and all. In the afternoon, families go out into the country and usually there are games or bathing in the warm sunshine, and then home in the cool of the evening. Boxing Day is also a proclaimed public holiday usually spent in the open air. It falls on December 26 and is a day of real relaxation.
In Ghana, on Africa's west coast, most churches herald the coming of Christmas by decorating the church and homes beginning with the first week in Advent, four weeks before Christmas. This season happens to coincide with the cocoa harvest, so it is a time of wealth. Everyone returns home from wherever they might be such as farms or mines.
On the eve of Christmas, children march up and down the streets singing Christmas Carols and shouting "Christ is coming, Christ is coming! He is near!" in their language. In the evening, people flock to churches which have been decorated with Christmas evergreens or palm trees massed with candles. Hymns are sung and Nativity plays are presented.
On Christmas Day, children and older people, representing the angels in the fields outside Bethlehem, go from house to house singing. Another church service is held where they dress in their native attire or Western costumes. Later on there is a feast of rice and yam paste called fufu with stew or okra soup, porridge and meats. Families eat together or with close neighbors, and presents are given.
On the west coast of Africa, in Liberia, most homes have an oil palm for a Christmas tree, which is decorated with bells. On Christmas morning, people are woken up by carols. Presents such as cotton cloth, soap, sweets, pencils, and books are exchanged. Also in the morning a church service is held in which the Christmas scene is enacted and hymns and carols are sung. Dinner is eaten outdoors with everyone sitting in a circle to share the meal of rice, beef and biscuits. Games are played in the afternoon, and at night fireworks light up the sky.

Christmas in Alaska
Most Alaskan Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th, just as people do in the continent of the US. Santa Claus may arrive for a pre-Christmas visit, but, food, gift giving, and decorations are like what you might see in Texas or Wisconsin.
The songs sang at each home include Aleut words Gristuusaaq suu'uq, or Christ is born. Everyone joins in the closing words, Mnogaya leta, or god grant you many years. At the end of the carols the host provides carolers with maple-frosted doughnuts, cookies, candy, piruk, or fish pie, and sometimes smoked salmon.
In Alaska children wander from house to house carrying a colored star on a long pole, and singing carols.

Christmas in United States of America
Santa Claus was born in US in the 1860's he was named this as he had a white beard and a belly, so he was named Santa Claus as this was the Dutch word for St Nicholas, Sintaklaas. Although the Dutch had bought him with them in the 17th century, he did not become an important person at Christmas until the Novelist Washington Irving put him in a novel that he wrote in 1809. This first Santa Claus was still known as St. Nicholas, he did smoke a pipe, and fly around in a wagon without any reindeer, but he did not have his red suit or live at the North Pole, he did however bring presents to children every year.
In 1863 He was given the name Santa Claus and bore the red suit, pipe, and his reindeer and sleigh.
Now Christmas celebrations vary greatly between regions of the United States, because of the variety of nationalities which have settled in it.
In Pennsylvania, the Moravians build a landscape, called a putz - under the Christmas tree, while in the same state the Germans are given gifts by Belsnickle, who taps them with his switch if they have misbehaved.
Early European settlers brought many traditions to the United States. Many settled in the early days in the South, these settlers would send Christmas greetings to their distant neighbors by shooting firearms and letting off fireworks. In Hawaii this practice is still in use as under the sunny skies, Santa Claus arrives by boat and Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors.
In Alaska, a star on a pole is taken from door to door, followed by Herod's Men, who try to capture the star. Colonial doorways are often decorated with pineapple, a symbol of hospitality.
In Alaska, boys and girls with lanterns on poles carry a large figure of a star from door to door. They sing carols and are invited in for supper.
In Washington D.C., a huge, spectacular tree is lit ceremoniously when the President presses a button and turns on the tree's lights.
In Boston, carol singing festivities are famous. The singers are accompanied by hand bells.
In New Orleans, a huge ox is paraded around the streets decorated with holly and with ribbons tied to its horns.
In Arizona, the Mexican ritual called Las Posadas is kept up. This is a ritual procession and play representing the search of Mary and Joseph for a room at the inn. Families play the parts and visit each other's houses enacting and re-enacting the drama and, at the same time, having a look at each family's crib.
In Hawaii, Christmas starts with the coming of the Christmas Tree Ship, which is a ship bringing a great load of Christmas fare. Santa Claus also arrives by boat.
In California, Santa Claus sweeps in on a surf board.
In America the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.
The majority of Americans celebrate Christmas with the exchange of gifts and greetings and with family visits. For many, the day begins on Christmas Eve with the Midnight Mass. At Christmas it snows in many states, so dinner is usually eaten indoors. Dinner usually is roast turkey, goose, duck or ham served with cranberry sauce, then plum pudding or pumpkin pie followed by nuts and fruit.
American homes are decorated with holly, mistletoe and branches of trees, most have a Christmas tree hung with electric lights, tinsel, baubles, and strings of popcorn and candy canes.
In Colorado, an enormous star is placed on the mountain, it can be seen for many kilometers around, while in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a star is lit in early December.
Polish Americans on Christmas Eve spread hay on their kitchen floor and under the tablecloth to remind them of a stable and a manger. When they make up the table for dinner two extra places are set up for Mary and the Christ Child in case they should knock at the door to ask for shelter.
In Philadelphia, a procession called a mummers parade runs for a whole day with bands, dancers and people in fancy dress.
There are two homes for Santa Claus in the United States one is in Torrington, Connecticut, where Santa and his helpers give out presents. The other home is in Wilmington, New York, where a village for Santa and his reindeer is located.
In Arizona they follow the Mexican traditions called Las Posadas. Families play out the parts of Mary and Joseph searching for somewhere to stay. They form a procession and visit their friends' and neighbors' homes where they admire each family's Nativity crib. In parts of New Mexico, people place lighted candles in paper bags filled with sand on streets and rooftops to light the way for the Christ Child.

Christmas in Australia
Christmas in Australia is often very hot. Whereas the northern hemisphere is in the middle of winter, Australians are baking in summer heat. It is not unusual to have Christmas Day well into the mid 30 degrees Celsius, or near 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
A traditional meal includes a turkey dinner, with ham, and pork. A flaming Christmas plum pudding is added for dessert. In the Australian gold rushes, Christmas puddings often contained a gold nugget. Today a small favor is baked inside. Whoever finds this knows s/he will enjoy good luck. Another treat is Mince Pies.
Some Australians and particularly tourists often have their Christmas dinner at midday on a local beach, Bondi Beach in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs attracts thousands of people on Christmas Day. Other families enjoy their day by having a picnic. If they are at home, the day is punctuated by swimming in a pool, playing Cricket out the backyard, and other outdoor activities.
The warm weather allows Australians to enjoy a tradition which commenced in 1937. Carols by Candlelight is held every year on Christmas Eve, where tens of thousands of people gather in the city of Melbourne to sing their favorite Christmas songs. The evening is lit by as many candles singing under a clean cut night sky. The sky with its Southern Cross stars is like a mirror. Sydney and the other capital cities also enjoy Carols in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Australians surround themselves with Christmas Bush, a native plant which has little red flowered leaves.
Christmas shopping is often done in shorts and t-shirts. At many beaches Santa Claus arrives on a surfboard, or even on a surf lifesaving boat.
Australia's worst Christmas was in 1974, when Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin in the Northern Territory. More than 60 people were killed.

Christmas in Brazil
Brazilians are a mix of different ethnic people, and as a former Portuguese colony, they have many Christmas customs which originate from this heritage.
One tradition is to create a nativity scene or Presépio. The word originates from the Hebrew word "presepium" which means the bed of straw upon which Jesus first slept in Bethlehem. The Presépio is common in northeastern Brazil. Nowadays presépios are set up in December and displayed in churches, homes, and stores.
Papai Noel or Father Noel is the gift-bringer in Brazil. According to legend, he lives in Greenland. When he arrives in Brazil, he usually wears silk clothing due to the summer heat.
A huge Christmas dinner includes turkey, ham, colored rice, and wonderful vegetables and fruit dishes.
Devout Catholics often attend Midnight Mass or Missa do Galo. The mass has this name because the rooster announces the coming day and the Missa do Galo finishes at 1 AM on Christmas morning! On December 25th, Catholics go to church, but the masses are mostly late afternoon, because people enjoy sleeping late after the dinner called Ceia de Natal or going to the beach.
Decorations include fresh flowers picked from the garden. Fireworks go off in the skies over the cites and huge Christmas "trees" of electric lights can be seen against the night skies in major cities such as Brasilia, San Paolo, and Rio de Janeiro.
In Brazil there is folk dancing and singing and the festivities go on until January 6th, which the Brazilians refer to as Three Kings Day. January 6th is supposed to be the day when three wise men visited Jesus to bring him gifts.

Christmas in Canada
Christmas celebrations are quite similar in the variety to America.
In some provinces, a big winter festival, called Sinck tuck, is celebrated by the Eskimos, with dancing and a present-giving party.
In Labrador, turnips are saved from the summer harvest and are given to children, with a lighted candle pushed into a hollowed out hole.
In Nova Scotia, a country settled by Scottish highlanders, songs and carols brought from Britain two centuries ago are sung each Christmas morning.
Also in Nova Scotia, during the twelve days of Christmas small groups of belsnicklers, or masked mummers, appear in neighborhoods, ringing bells, making noise, seeking candy or other treats. The hosts may try to guess who the mummers are and if they guess right the mummer removes his or her disguise and stops making rude noises and actions. Children may be quizzed by the mummers on their behavior if they say they have been good they are rewarded with candy.
In Quebec they display Crčches or nativity scenes in their homes as the Christmas decorations. After attending midnight mass, families may be served tourtiere or pork pie. Another favorite food is Boulettes or small meatballs. A Christmas banquet is called a reveillon.
In British Columbia Christmas turkey may be accompanied by either fresh or smoked salmon.
In Canada the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.
Christmas in China
The Christian children of China decorate trees with colorful ornaments. These ornaments are made from paper in the shapes of flowers, chains and lanterns. They also hang muslin stockings hoping that Christmas Old Man will fill them with gifts and treats.
The Chinese Christmas trees are called "Trees of Light." Santa Claus is called Dun Che Lao Ren which means "Christmas Old Man.".
The non-Christian Chinese call this season the Spring Festival and celebrate with many festivities that include delicious meals and pay respects to their ancestors. The children are the main focus of these celebrations, they receive new clothes and toys, eat delectable food and watch firecrackers displays.
Christmas in Czech Republic
Celebrations for Christmas begin with the visit of St. Nicholas on December 6th and end with the visit of the Three Kings.
In Czech Republic, St. Nicholas is called Svaty Mikalas and is believed to climb to earth down from heaven on a golden rope along with his companions: an angel and a whip-carrying devil.
In Czech Republic, a girl can tell her future, it is said that according to tradition, by putting a cherry twig in water on December 4th. If the twig blossoms before Christmas Eve, the girl will marry sometime during the year.
The famous King Wenceslas of the Christmas Carol was a real King in this country. His goodness and his beliefs in Christianity infuriated his mother, and his brother murdered him on the Church steps. Before he died he asked for God's mercy for his brother's evil act. He became the patron saint of Czech Republic.
Christmas is a quiet and peaceful religious time here. They fast for one day, and have baked carp for Christmas dinner. St Nicholas visits, and brings good children gifts, and for those children who are bad, the devil is said to come with switches.
At midnight, most families go to Holy Mass or Pasterka as it is known. On Christmas Day, the churches are filled with evergreens and Christmas Trees. Celebrations go on for three days.
Czechs eat a soup made of cod roe and tempt each other with tales of a mythical golden pig.
Christmas in Egypt
The Coptic Church is an Orthodox Church and in the Coptic Church Christmas is celebrated on the 7th January. Advent is observed for forty days and during this period people are expected to fast eating no meat, poultry or dairy products. Some people only do this during the last week of Advent.
On the Eve of Christmas everyone goes to church wearing a completely new outfit. The Christmas service ends at midnight with the ringing of church bells, then people go home to eat a special Christmas meal known as fata, which consists of bread, rice, garlic and boiled meat.
On Christmas morning people in Egypt visit friends and neighbors. They take with them kaik which is a type of shortbread, which they take with them to give to the people they visit and eaten with a drink known as shortbat. Christmas Day is a public holiday for Christians.
Christmas in England
The English enjoy beautiful Christmas music. They love to decorate Christmas Trees and hang up evergreen branches.
One England's customs is mummering. In the Middle Ages, people called mummers put on masks and acted out Christmas plays. These plays are still performed in towns and villages.
The English gift giver is called Father Christmas. He wears a long red or green robe, and leaves presents in stockings on Christmas Eve. However, the gifts are not usually opened until the following afternoon.
Christmas in England began in AD 596, when St Augustine landed on her shores with monks who wanted to bring Christianity to the Anglo Saxons.
Father Christmas delivers them during the night before Christmas. The Children leave an empty stocking or pillowcase hanging at the end of the bed. In the morning they hope it will be full of presents.
In England the day after Christmas is called Boxing Day because boys used to go round collecting money in clay boxes. When the boxes were full, they broke them open.
In England Christmas dinner was usually eaten at Midday on December 25, during daylight.
In England, the only thing that people ate on the day before the feast was Frumenty, which is, was a kind of porridge made from corn. Over the years the recipe changed. Eggs, fruit, spice, lumps of meat and dried plums were added. The whole mixture was wrapped in a cloth and boiled. This is how plum pudding began.
In England the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.
In England also they elect Boy Bishops in commemoration of St. Nicholas compassion for children. These mock bishops were allowed to do the duties of the ecclesiastic except deliver the Mass.
Christmas in France
On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel. In the morning they also find that sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys have been hung on the tree.
In cathedral squares, the story of Christ's birth is re-enacted by both players and puppets.
Nearly every French home at Christmastime displays a Nativity scene or crčche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration. The crčche is often peopled with little clay figures called santons or "little saints." In addition to the usual Holy Family, shepherds, and Magi, the craftsmen also produce figures in the form of local dignitaries and characters. The craftsmanship involved in creating the gaily colored santons is quite astounding and the molds have been passed from generation to generation since the seventeenth century. Throughout December the figures are sold at annual Christmas fairs in Marseille and Aix.
The Christmas tree has never been particularly popular in France, and though the use of the Yule log has faded, the French make a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the buche de Nol, which means "Christmas Log." The cake, among other food in great abundance is served at the grand feast of the season, which is called le reveillon. Le reveillon is a very late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The menu for the meal varies according to regional culinary tradition. In Alsace, goose is the main course, in Burgundy it is turkey with chestnuts, and the Parisians feast upon oysters and pat de foie gras. Le Revellion may consist of poultry, ham, salads, cake, fruit and wine.
In Southern France, a log is burned in people's homes from Christmas Eve until New Years Day. A long time ago, part of the log was used to make the wedge for the plough as good luck for the coming harvest.
The traditional Christmas is a chocolate log.
In France families once had a Three Kings Cake with a bean hidden in it. Whoever found the bean in their slice was made King, or Queen, for the day.
In France the children go out to look for the Kings, taking gifts of hay for the camels.
Another name for this day is Twelfth Day. It is the last of the Twelve Days of Christmas, which used to be one long holiday. It was the last night of the Feast of Fools before the Lord of Misrule had to give up his crown and become themselves once again.
In France it is a time for the whole family to come together at Christmas time to holiday and worship. On the eve of Christmas beautifully lit churches and cathedrals, ring out Christmas carols with the church bells.
Once dinner is over and the family has retired to bed, they leave a fire burning and food and drink on the table in case the Virgin Mary calls in. Children leave their shoes or wooden clogs called sabots in the hearth for the Christ Child or Pere Noel to fill. In the north of France, children are given gifts on December 6, which is St. Nicholas' Day, instead of Christmas Day. The adults give each others presents on New Year's Day.
French children set out their shoes in hopes that le petit Jesus will fill them during the night with small gifts.
Christmas in Germany
Christmas preparations often begin on the eve of December 6th. People often set aside special evenings for baking spiced cakes and cookies, and making gifts and decorations. Little dolls of fruit are traditional Christmas toys.
Children leave letters on their windowsills for Christkind, a winged figure dressed in white robes and a golden crown who distributes gifts. Sometimes the letters are decorated with glue and sprinkled with sugar to make them sparkle.
Germans make beautiful gingerbread houses and cookies. The German Christmas tree pastry, Christbaumgeback, is a white dough that can be molded into shapes and baked for tree decorations.
In parts of Germany, people believe that the Christ Child sends a messenger in Christmas Eve. He appears as an angel in a white robe and crown, bearing gifts. The angel is called Christkind. There is also a Christmas Eve figure called Weihnachtsmann or Christmas Man, he looks like Santa Claus and also brings gifts.
Some homes in Germany have several Christmas trees, and in all towns across Germany, they can be seen glittering and glowing.
In Germany they hang up advent wreaths of Holly with four red candles in the center. They light one candle each Sunday and last on Christmas Eve. Children count the days until Christmas using an Advent calendar. They open one window each day and find a Christmas picture inside.
In Germany the traditional visitor is the Christkindl who is the Christ Child's messenger. She is a beautiful fair-haired girl with a shining crown of candles who visits each house with a basket of presents.
In some homes a room is locked up before Christmas. On Christmas Eve the children go to bed but are woken up at midnight by their parents and taken down to the locked room. The door is opened and they see the tree all lit up, with piles of parcels on little tables.
In Germany boys dress up as kings and carry a star round the village, singing carols.
Submitted by Claudia Happel
The German Christmas traditions are not quite like that.
1. Christmas preparations start before Dec. 1st,
2. December 6 is Nikolaustag, St. Claus day, you leave out a shoe or boot outside the door Dec.5 and the next morning you find presents (if you were a good kid) or a rod (if you were bad)
3. The Adventskranz (advent wreath) is not hung up but placed on a table lying flat, how could you light the candles otherwise...
4. catholic boys and girls dress up as kings for three kings day (jan. 6) they sing carols and collect money for donations to different projects
that"s just a couple of things...
Christmas in Great Britain
In Great Britain the hustle and bustle of the season begins well before Christmas and there is barely anytime for a break until the Twelfth night. There is preparation going on of foods, the sending of Christmas cards, the decorating of houses and churches, and the readying of gifts keep everyone busy even the youngest family members.
On Christmas Eve youngsters hang up their stockings on the ends of the beds or by the chimney so that when Father Christmas comes he can leave them something.
On Christmas morning the family traditionally opens their presents and prepares for a big feast which typically is served just after midday. The table gleams with the best china and glassware, and at every place on the table there is a cracker. The meal begins with a toast, followed by the popping of the crackers. After the meal they sit down in front of the Television for the traditional Christmas speech of the British Monarch.
In the afternoon they exchange visits with neighbors other family members.
Some churches in Great Britain have a Christingle service on the fourth Sunday of Advent. This is a carol service of Scandinavian origin at which every child received an orange and candle wrapped in a red ribbon. The candle represents Jesus and the ribbon stands for the blood of Christ and the love of God embracing the world.
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.
Christmas in Greece
St. Nicholas is important in Greece as the patron saint of sailors. According to Greek tradition, his clothes are drenched with brine, his beard drips with seawater, and his face is covered with perspiration because he has been working hard against the waves to reach sinking ships and rescue them from the angry sea. Greek ships never leave port without some sort of St. Nicholas icon on board.
On Christmas Eve small boys to the beating of drums and the tinkling of triangles usually sing carols. They go from house to house and are given dried figs, almonds, walnuts and lots of sweets or sometimes small gifts.
After 40 days of fasting, the Christmas feast is looked forward to with great anticipation by adults and children alike. Pigs are slaughtered and on almost every table are loaves of christopsomo or "Christ Bread". This bread is made in large sweet loaves of various shapes and the crusts are engraved and decorated in some way that reflects the family's profession.
Christmas trees are not commonly used in Greece. In almost every home the main symbol of the season is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire is suspended across the rim; from that hangs a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross. A small amount of water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day, a family member, usually the mother, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house. This ritual is believed to keep the Killantzaroi away from the house.
There is a tradition kallikantzeri, where the mischievous goblins appear from the earth during the 12 days of Christmas.
At Christmas very few presents are given to each other. Instead, small gifts are given to hospitals and orphanages.
Priests sometimes go from house to house sprinkling holy water around to get rid of the bad spirits who may be hiding in people's houses.
In most Greek homes an evergreen tree is decorated with tinsel and a star placed on top. Gifts are exchanged on January 1st, St Basil's Day.
On Christmas Eve, groups of people gather around the holiday table. Figs, dried on rooftops are served with the spicy golden Chrisopsomo bread.
As people are they greet one another by saying Hronia polla or many happy years. The table filled with food may include such dishes as kourambiethes, a Greek nut cookie.

Christmas in Italy
The Christmas season in Italy goes for three weeks, starting 8 days before Christmas known as the Novena. During this period, children go from house to house reciting Christmas poems and singing.
In some parts shepherds bring musical instruments into the villages, play and sing Christmas songs.
In the week before Christmas children go from house to house dressed as shepherds, playing pipes, singing and reciting Christmas poems. They are given money to buy presents.
A strict feast is observed for 24 hours before Christmas Eve, and is followed by a celebration meal, in which a light Milanese cake called panettone features as well as chocolate.
Presents and empty boxes, are drawn from the Urn of Fate - lucky dip, which always contains one gift per person. By twilight, candles are lighted around the family crib known as the Presepio, prayers are said, and children recite poems.
At noon on Christmas Day the pope gives his blessing to crowds gathered in the huge Vatican square.
In Italy the children wait until Epiphany, January 6, for their presents. According to tradition, the presents are delivered by a kind ugly witch called Befana on a broomstick. It was said that she was told by the three kings that the baby Jesus was born, she was busy and delayed visiting the baby.
She missed the Star lost her way and has been flying around ever since, leaving presents at every house with children in case he is there. She slides down chimneys, and fills stockings and shoes with good things for good children and it is said leaves coal for children who are not so good.
Submitted by Michela Sacchi
On christmas Eve the dinner is called cenone which is a traditional dish of eel.
Christmas lunch is Tortellini in Brodo which is filled pasta parcels in broth, also served is cappone which is boiled capon, or roasts are served in central Italy.
Another famous cake is pandoro which originated from Verona.
Christmas in Japan
Only 1 per cent of Japanese people believe in Christ. Even so, most Japanese people decorate their stores and homes with evergreens during Christmas.
They enjoy giving each other gifts, and this is the part they celebrate.
They have a Buddhist monk called Hotei-osho who acts like Santa Claus. He brings presents to each house and leaves them for the children. Some think he has eyes in the back of his head, so children try to behave like he is nearby.
Among the Christian Japanese Christmas is not a day for the family. They do not have turkey or plum pudding, rather than that the day is spent doing nice things for others especially those who are sick in hospitals.
Christmas for those in Sunday schools is the happiest day of the year. On Christmas Eve or Christmas night, the children put on programs that last for hours, they sing, they recite and they put on a drama of the day Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Most children may not Hotei-osho so they may receive their presents from Santa who goes around with a red-nosed reindeer.
Christmas in Norway
Norwegian children always remember a little gnome Nisse at Christmastime. He guards all the farm animals, and he plays tricks on the children if they forget to place a bowl of special porridge for him.
Norway has its gift-bearing little gnome or elf. Known as Julebukk or "Christmas buck," he appears as a goat-like creature. Julebukk harkens back to Viking times when pagans worshipped Thor and his goat. During pagan celebrations a person dressed in a goatskin, carrying a goat head, would burst in upon the party and during the course of evening would "die" and return to life.
During the early Christian era, the goat began to take the form of the devil, and would appear during times of wild merry-making and jubilation. By the end of the Middle Ages, the game was forbidden by the Church and the state. In more recent times the goat has emerged in the tamer form of Julebukk.
A favorite holiday cookie is called a sand kager is made by mixing 2 cups of butter and sugar, 4 cups of flour, and 1 cup of chopped almonds. This pressed into a tin, baked until golden brown, and cut into squares.
In the dark afternoons, in the Viking tradition, children go from house to house asking for goodies.
Norwegians eat lye-treated codfish, and wash it down with boiled potatoes, rice porridge, gingerbread, and punch.
Mari Langholm
Norwegians are very close to the North Pole, and they strongly hope for the magic of snow for the holydays! Christmas in Norway begins with the Saint Lucia ceremony on the 13 December. At the crack of dawn, the youngest daughter from each family puts on a white robe with a sash, a crown with evergreens and tall-lighted candles, accompanied by the other children, the boys dressed as star boys in long white shirts and pointed hats. They wake their parents, and serve them coffee and Lucia buns, lussekatter. The custom goes back to a Christian virgin, Lucia, martyred for her beliefs at Syracuse in the fourth century. The Saint Lucia ceremony is fairly recent, but it represents the traditional thanksgiving for the return of the sun.
The Christmas tree, juletre, spruce or pine tree usually, are often decorated with candles, apples, red harts, cornets, straw ornaments, balls of glass and tinsels, all depending on what you like. The homes have a scent of resin, hyacinths, red tulips, spices and tangerines.
Some children, especially in the country still believe in and remember a little gnome or elf, fjřsnissen at Christmas time. He is told to guard all the farm animals, and he plays tricks if the children forget to place a bowl of special rice porridge, risengrynsgrřt, in the barn or outside for him. This is old superstition. Norwegians also love to eat this porridge on the 23 December, lillejulaften, and then it holds a magic almond inside. The one who finds it gets a prize. Some eat the rice porridge for lunch on the 24th. Perhaps in the evening they have some glřgg, it is a spicy drink (you can add some red wine if you like), with raisins and chopped almonds. Julaften, on the 24 December, a lot of people go to church service before they gather at home around the table for a nice Christmas Eve dinner. The dinner can consist of a rib with a good crackling, ribbe, (served with "cabbage ŕ la norvégienne", surkaal, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, sprouts, prunes and brown sauce), salted and dried ribs of mutton, pinnekjoett, (served with potatoes, carrots and mashed swedes), or lye-treated codfish, lutefisk (served with potatoes, bacon and pea stew). For dessert: rice blended with whipped cream served with a red sauce, riskrem, caramel pudding, cherry mousse, or whipped cream blended with multer (orange, wonderful berries found on the mountain - looks like rasberries).
In the evening Santa Claus, julenissen, arrives with gifts. Often it is snowing. In the days between Christmas and New Years Eve, romjulen, the children sometimes go from house to house in the afternoon asking for sweets, this tradition is called "Christmas buck", julebukk. The tradition harkens back to the Viking times when pagans worshipped Thor and his goat, but just a few children keep up the tradition today.
On Christmas Day a lot of people have a big brunch at noon or dinner in the afternoon for friends and family. It is done the Italian way and can last for several wonderful hours!
Traditional cakes and cookies made at Christmas can be julekake (with raisins), kryddekake, delfiakake, rosettbakels, fattigmann, smultringer, goro, silkekaker, pepperkaker, kokosmakroner. Different nuts, fruits, figs, dates and sweets also belong to the celebration. God Jul! (Merry Christmas!)
Christmas in Poland
Traditionally, Advent is an important season in the Polish year, with special church services, known as Roraty, being held every morning at 6am. The four Sundays of Advent are said to represent the 4,000 years of waiting for Christ.
During Advent and, in some homes, on Christmas Eve, bees wax is poured on water, and fortunes are told from the shapes which emerge. Just plain wax, from candles. But it is diffrent holiday - wax pouring, and this kind of fortunetelling are celebrated on 30 november, but it is connected rather with Andrew's nameday, than with exact christmas.
Special tasks carried out during Advent are the baking of the Christmas piernik or honey cake, and the making of Christmas decorations. Pierniki are made in a great variety of shapes, including hearts, animals and St Nicholas figures. Traditional decorations include the pajaki = spiders, which are handmade mobiles, stars and decorated egg shells. Pajaki are traditional decorations, rather lots of bomblets, colourful paper chains and lots of electric lights.
Beautifully lit Christmas trees are placed in all public arenas, outside churches and in homes. Traditionally the trees are decorated with shiny apples, gift walnuts, beautifully wrapped chocolate shapes and many homemade decorations and candles. On the top of the tree is a star or a glittering top piece. In many homes, sparklers are hung on the branches of the trees giving it a magical air. Sometimes the trees are left standing until February 2nd, the feast day of St Mary of the Candle of Lightning.
During Advent, the Gwiadorze or star carriers, used to begin wandering through the towns and villages and this would continue until Epiphany. Some of the Gwiadorze sang carols, others recited verses or put on Szopi or puppet show, or herody or nativity scenes. The last two customs are developments from traditional manger scenes or Jaselka or crib. Star carriers are called carol singers. They sing carols. "put on Szopi" - you rather meant "perform Szopke". It is scene when Chist is born, and three kings come to the manger. "Herody" - you mean Herod's performance. The story, about evil king Herod, who was forseen to loose his power from a child, so he ordered to kill all the childs. Jaselka=Szopka. It is the same performance.
Christmas Eve, Wigilia, is an important part of the Polish Christmas, in fact, the most important rituals are celebrated on this day.
A traditional food found in Poland is Oplatek which is piece of bread pressed with a holy picture on the surface. Oplatek is only the begin. It is more symbolic than real food. We celebrate with at least 12 diffrent vegetarian dishes like: mushroom soup, carp, cabbage with pea, stuffed dumplings, shells macaroni with poppy "makielki". In some homes - some hay is put under the tablecloth (it is connected with Christ's manger).
People once carried these oplatek from house to house and wish their neighbors a Merry Christmas. Nowadays, the bread is mostly shared with members of the family and immediate neighbors. As each person shares the bread, they would have to do two things: forgive any hurts that have occurred over the past year and to wish the person all the happiness in the coming year.
Christmas in Portugal
In Portugal the tradition of gift-giving was defined mostly by the strong Christian religious beliefs of the people. Children await the coming of the Three Wise Men during Christmas time. On the eve of January 5th children place their shoes along windowsills and doorways and fill them with carrots and straw. They do this hoping that this will lure the wise men's horses to their houses during the night and that they will find their shoes packed with gifts and treats in the morning. The treats left is more likely to be candied fruits and sweet breads.
They do not recognize the red suit of most traditions as the person who brings gifts, but, gifts are a big part of the many Christmas celebrations. The Christmas Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Feast of the Holy Innocents both involve the sharing of gifts.
They have a feast known as the consoda which takes place on the morning of Christmas Day. They set extra places at the table for the souls of the dead. They give a gift of food to these souls and hope that by doing so the fortunes of the next year will be good.
The Portuguese "Christmas log," or cepo de Natal, is a piece of oak that burns on the hearth all through the day while people enjoy a lingering consoda.
Tradition Submitted by Alda Moreira who says traditions are incorrect.
The children receive the presents at midnight of 24/25 December or early in 25 th December morning, but never on 5th January. They put the shoes near the fireplace as a receptacle for the presents and not at the window.
We recognize the red suite; the children believe in Santa Claus (called "Pai Natal" - wich means: Father Christmas) and the parents tell them that is the baby Jesus who helps Santa with the presents, ( not the Three wise men...).
The most part of family set up a Nativity scene (called Presépio), with Mary, Joseph, the cow and the donkey, the three wise men, and lots of other figures The figure of the Christ Child is added to the scene after the family attends Midnight Mass or after midnight....But everybody have a Christmas tree too; the typical colours are the gold, red and green.
The Christmas Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Feast of the Holy Innocents do not involve the sharing of gifts.
The consoada is the reunion of the family, until they wait for the coming of Father Christmas at midnight and takes place on the dinner of 24 th December/Christmas Eve, not in the morning of 25. There are families who reserve an empty place for the persons who died, but it doesn't happen very often. During the consoada we dinner (boiled codfish and Portuguese sprouts (in pure olive oil) normally) and then everybody puts lots of desserts in the table and typical plates (rice pudding with cinamon, "rabandas"-seems like french toast, "filhoses"-fried desserts, "broas de mel" (pastries made with honey) “Sonhos” -pumpkin fritters ) Another very traditional desert is the "Bolo Rei" (King's cake) "which is a wreath-like very rich fruit cake laced with crystallized fruits and pine nuts." There is a little present inside the cake and a broadbean-who find the broadbean in one slice, must pay the next “King Cake”.
At midnight, there are also families who attend to the church for a special Midnight Mass, called "Missa do galo"-"Rooster’s Mass", but it happens more in the interior, who are more religious.
During the Christmas day Portuguese people visit the friends and family and have a big lunch normally with roast chicken, lamb or turkey.
Christmas in Russia
In Russia the religious festival of Christmas is being replaced by the Festival of Winter but there are some traditions that are still kept up in some parts of the country.
In the traditional Russian Christmas, special prayers are said and people fast, sometimes for 39 days, until January 6th Christmas Eve, when the first evening star in appears in the sky. Then begins a twelve course supper in honor of each of the twelve apostles - fish, beet soup or Borsch, cabbage stuffed with millet, cooked dried fruit and much more.
Hay is spread on the floors and tables to encourage horse feed to grow in the coming year and people make clucking noises to encourage their hens to lay eggs.
On Christmas Day, hymns and carols are sung. People gather in churches which have been decorated with the usual Christmas trees or Yelka, flowers and colored lights.
Christmas dinner includes a variety of different meats - goose and suckling pig are favorites.
Babushka is a traditional Christmas figure who distributes presents to children. Her name means grandmother and the legend is told that she declined to go with the wise men to see Jesus because of the cold weather. However, she regretted not going and set off to try and catch up, filling her basket with presents. She never found Jesus, and that is why she visits each house, leaving toys for good children.
The role of Father Christmas was played by Dedushka Moroz or Grandfather Christmas.
Christmas in Slovakia
Christmas trees in Slovakia go up on Christmas Eve.
They go to church on Christmas Eve and return to a traditional dinner. The dinner consists of two main dishes. These are sauerkraut soup, and fish and potatoes salad.
After the main meals people eat a dish called Lok'e which is food made from pieces of baked risen dough with raisins and poppy seeds. They then also eat fruit such as apples, oranges, pineapples, bananas, and nuts and cakes.
After dinner they go to the Christmas tree where they find Christmas presents.
Christmas in Spain
In Spain it is a very festive time at Christmas. On Christmas Eve, as the stars come out, tiny oil lamps are lit in every house, and after Midnight Mass and Christmas Dinner, streets fill with dancers and onlookers. There is a special Christmas dance called the Jota and the words and music have been handed down for hundreds of years. They dance to the sound of guitars and castanets.
Children think of the Three Wise Man as the gift bearers. Tradition has it that they arrive on January 6th, the date the Wise Men gave gifts to Jesus.
Shoes are filled with straw or barley for the tired camels that must carry their riders through the busy night. By morning the camel food is gone and in place of the straw or barley are presents. Shoes also may be placed on balconies on the night of the 6th January in the hope that the Wise Men will fill them with gifts.
Most homes have a manger, like cathedrals and churches. These are complete with carved figures.
During the weeks before Christmas, families gather around their manger to sing, whilst children play tambourines and dance.
The Spanish especially honor the cow at Christmas because it is thought that when Mary gave birth to Jesus the cow in the stable breathed on the Baby Jesus to keep him warm.
Christmas is a deeply religious holiday in Spain. The country's patron saint is the Virgin Mary and the Christmas season officially begins December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is celebrated each year in front of the great Gothic cathedral in Seville with a ceremony called los Seises or the "dance of six." Oddly, the elaborate ritual dance is now performed by not six but ten elaborately costumed boys. It is a series of precise movements and gestures and is said to be quite moving and beautiful.
Christmas Eve is known as Nochebuena or "the Good Night." It is a time for family members to gather together to rejoice and feast around the Nativity scenes that are present in nearly every home. A traditional Christmas treat is turron, a kind of almond candy.
December 28 is the feast of the Holy Innocents. Young boys of a town or village light bonfires and one of them acts as the mayor who orders townspeople to perform civic chores such as sweeping the streets. Refusal to comply results in fines which are used to pay for the celebration.
The children of Spain receive gifts on the feast of the Epiphany. The Magi are particularly revered in Spain. It is believed that they travel through the countryside reenacting their journey to Bethlehem every year at this time. Children leave their shoes on the windowsills and fill them with straw, carrots, and barley or the horses of the Wise Men. Their favorite is Balthazar who rides a donkey and is the one believed to leave the gifts.
The Spanish Christmas is Navidad, people go to church, exchange presents, and many play on swing sets set up especially for the occasion. Swinging at solstice time evokes an ancient desire to encourage the sun, urging it to "swing" ever higher in the sky.
Christmas in Sweden
Christmas begins in Sweden with the Saint Lucia ceremony. Before dawn on the morning of 13 December, the youngest daughter from each family puts on a white robe with a red sash. She wears a crown of evergreens with tall-lighted candles attached to it. She wakes her parents, and serves them with coffee and Lucia buns. The other children accompany her. The boys dressed as star boys in long white shirts and pointed hats.
The custom goes back to Lucia, a Christian virgin martyred for her beliefs at Syracuse in the fourth century. The Saint Lucia ceremony is fairly recent, but it represents the traditional thanksgiving for the return of the sun. Often she is followed by star boys, who wear pointed hats, and carry star wands.
Candle-lit processions to Church feature Scandinavian Christmases, where, in the home, it is mother who always lights the candles on Christmas Eve.
Christmas trees are usually found in Swedish homes two days before Christmas. Decoration may include candles, apples, Swedish flags, small gnomes wearing red tasseled caps, straw ornaments. The houses may filled with red tulips and smell like pepparkakor, which is a heart-star, or goat-shaped gingerbread biscuit.
Swedish Julafton, or Christmas Eve dinner may be a smorgasbord, or buffet with julskinka, or Christmas ham, pickled pigs feet,lutfisk, or dried codfish, and many different kinds of sweets. Risgryngrot a special rice porridge, has hidden in it an almond which as tradition has it the person who finds the almond in his or her bowl will marry in the coming year.
Christmas trees are usually brought into Swedish homes one or two days before Christmas. Decorations include: candles, apples, Swedish flags, small gnomes and tasseled caps, and straw ornaments. The house may be filled with red tulips and the smell of pepparkakor - a heart-star, or goat-shaped gingerbread biscuits.
After Christmas Eve dinner, a friend or family member dresses up as tomte or Christmas gnome. The tomte, unlike Santa Claus is supposed to live under the floorboards of the house or barn and ride a straw goat. The make-believe tomte, wearing a white beard and dressed in red robes, distributes gifts from his sack. Many are given with funny rhyme that hints at the contents.
Swedes eat lye-treated codfish and welcome the Christmas elves and the julbok which is the Christmas goat, who is responsible for the distributing of the presents.
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.
From Mia
The Julbock (Christmas Goat) has nothing to do with the Tomte (Santa Claus)... He doesn't ride it. When Sweden was changing from goat to Santa they came together but that was more than 20 years ago. So it use to but no longer. And it was originally to honor the goats that Tor (an old God) used to pull his carriage. Today basically no one knows why we have them. Sadly and the Tomte doesn't live under a barn anymore. Now it is like in America, he lives at the North Pole. In the old days the tomte took care of the farm and lived there but then he had nothing to do with Christmas (then it was the goat). He was mean and hard to work with but he made sure there would be food on the table and looked after all the animals, IF the people on the farm took care of him and behaved well. No Christmas.
Balls of Glass are in our trees as well as Tinsels now but most of all: You've forgotten about the most Christmassy in Sweden Donald duck at TV at 15.00 on Christmas Eve. Has been shown on TV since 1960-somethink.
Christmas in Turkey
In the Turkish town of Demre, Santa Claus or St Nicholas birth is celebrated every year during the three-day festival held in early December. Born in the nearby town of Patara, St Nicholas is remembered not only as a famous Turkish archbishop, but also for his kindness to children.
Christmas in Ukraine
Sviata Vechera OR "Holy Supper" is the central tradition of the beautiful Christmas Eve celebrations in Ukrainian homes. The dinner table sometimes has a few wisps of hay on the embroidered table cloth as a reminder of the manger in Bethlehem.
When the children see the first Star in the eastern evening sky, which symbolizes the trek of the Three Wise Men, the Sviata Vechera may begin. In farming communities the head of the household now brings in a sheaf of wheat called the didukh which represents the importance of the ancient and rich wheat crops of Ukraine, the staff of life through the centuries. Didukh means literally "grandfather spirit" so it symbolizes the family's ancestors. In city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a vase are often used to decorate the table.
A prayer is said and the father says the traditional Christmas greeting, "Khristos rodyvsya!" which translated is Christ is born!, which is answered by the family with "Slavite Yoho!" which translated is Let Us Glorify Him!. In some families the Old Slavic form Khristos razhdayetsya is used.
At the end of the Sviata Vechera the family often sings Kolyadky which is a Ukrainian Christmas Carols. In many communities the old Ukrainian tradition of caroling is carried on by groups of young people and members of organizations and churches calling at homes and collecting donations.
The favorite Ukrainian carol is Boh predvichny meaning God Eternal which has a very beautiful melody and lyrics. Some Ukrainian carols are unusual because they mention Ukraine while others are ancient pagan songs of a thousand years ago which have been converted into Christian carols.
Christmas is a joyous day which opens for Ukrainian families with attendance at Church. Ukrainian Churches offer services starting before midnight on Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning. Christmas supper, without Lenten restrictions, does not have as many traditions connected with it as Sviata Vechera. The old tradition in Ukraine of giving gifts to children on St. Nicholas Day, December 19th, has generally been replaced by the Christmas date.
The traditional Christmas customs of Ukraine add color and significance to the winter festival of Christmas, and Ukrainian Christmas on January 7th is usually a peaceful and quiet event. This celebration reminds us of the baby in a Bethlehem manger whose birthday we celebrate. But whether Christmas is celebrated on December 25th or on January 7th the message is the same: "Peace on Earth! Good will towards men!
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.

kurde troche tego jest ,ale pewnie nie ma sprawy na niedziele a najpozniej na pon bedziesz to miec zrobione
bede ci slac to moze kawalkami,zebys sie mniej denerwowala ze nie zdaze czy cos.. Puszcza oko

Aniu, ratujesz mi życie!
Powiedz jak mogę ci się odwdzięczyć (nie wstając od komputera Puszcza oko

)

spokojnie na pewno sie cos znajdzie co bedziesz moglai dla mnie zrobic:) mam taka nadzieje....ze jak bede potrzebowac to mi pomozesz

Aniu, dziś jest poniedziałek, a z artykułu to nie widziałam nawet kropek.
To znaczy, no wiesz, jak nie możesz albo cóś to napisz (zaraz). Nie będę mieć do ciebie pretensji, tylko zrobię sama, a jak nie wiem czy on będzie czy jednak nie, to nie wiem czy mam robić sama. Tak czy inaczej potrzebuję czasu na wydrukowanie tego, posklejanie itd. a w środku nocy na niewiele mi się zda ...

oki no to jest calosc poprawiona Uśmiechnięty

mam nadzieje ze Ci pomoglam mimo wtko

Christmas in Africa
In Congo it all begins when some group is designated to prepare the annual Christmas pageant.
There are groups of carolers walking through the village, along the roadway, by the houses of the missionaries, singing the lovely and well known carols. Often people may be awakened by carolers beginning to converge on the house of worship. They return home to make final preparation .The most important part is the love offering, this is the gift in honor of Jesus. Then around 8 or 9 o'clock everyone makes their way to the celebration of the birthday of Jesus.
Eachone who attends the service goes forward to lay down their gift upon the raised platform near the Communion table. Now people have Christmas dinners after the service, preparing tables out in front of their home and inviting many of their intimate friends to share.
Christmas in South Africa is a summer holiday. In December, glorious days of sunshine carry an irresistible invitation to the beaches, the rivers, and the shaded mountain slopes.. Schools are closed, and camping is the order of the day.There is no snow, instead there are many different cultivated or wild flowers,being in full blossom.In the cities and towns carolers make their rounds on Christmas Eve. Church services are held on Christmas morning. In larger centers include "Carols by Candlelight" and special screen and floor shows.
Homes are decorated with pine branches, and all have the decorated Christmas fir in a corner, with presents for the children around. At bedtime children may also hang up their stockings for presents from Father Christmas.
For many people, there is either turkey, roast beef, mince pies, or suckling pig, yellow rice with raisins, vegetables, and plum pudding, crackers for a traditional dinner. In the afternoon, families go out into the country and usually there are games or bathing and then they go home in the cool of the evening. In Ghana, on Africa's west coast, most churches herald the coming of Christmas by decorating the church and homes beginning with the first week in Advent, four weeks before Christmas. This season happens to coincide with the cocoa harvest, so it is a time of wealth. Everyone returns home from wherever they might be such as farms or mines.
On the Christmas Eve, children march up and down the streets singing carols and shouting about coming Christmas. In the evening, people flock to churches which are decorated with Christmas evergreens or palm trees massed with candles. Hymns are sung and Nativity plays are presented.
On Christmas Day, children and older people, representing the angels in the fields outside Bethlehem, go from house to house singing. Another church service is held where they dress in their native attire or Western costumes. Later on there is a feast of rice and yam paste called fufu with stew or okra soup, porridge and meats. Families eat together or with close neighbors, and presents are given.
On the west coast, in Liberia, most homes have an oil palm for a Christmas tree, which is decorated with bells. On Christmas morning, people are woken up by carols. Presents such as cotton cloth, soap, sweets, pencils, and books are exchanged. Also in the morning a church service is held in which the Christmas scene is enacted and hymns and carols are sung. Dinner is eaten outdoors with everyone sitting in a circle to share the meal of rice, beef and biscuits. Games are played in the afternoon, and at night fireworks light up the sky.

Christmas in Alaska
Most Alaskan celebrate Christmas on December 25th, just as people do in the continent of the US. Santa Claus may arrive for a pre-Christmas visit.
The songs sang at homes include Aleut words Gristuusaaq suu'uq, or Christ is born. Everyone joins in the closing words, Mnogaya leta, or god grant you many years. At the end the host provides carolers with maple-frosted doughnuts, cookies, candy, piruk, or fish pie, and sometimes smoked salmon.
Children wander from house to house carrying a colored star on a long pole, and singing carols.

Christmas in United States of America
Christmas celebrations vary greatly between regions of the United States, because of the variety of nationalities which have settled in it.
In Pennsylvania, the Moravians build a landscape, called a putz - under the Christmas tree, while in the same state the Germans are given gifts by Belsnickle, who taps them with his switch if they have misbehaved.
Early European settlers brought many traditions to the United States. In Hawaii it all happens under the sunny skies,where Santa Claus arrives by boat and Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors.
In Alaska, a star on a pole is taken from door to door, followed by Herod's Men, who try to capture the star.Doorways are often decorated with pineapple, a symbol of hospitality.
Boys and girls carry a large figure of a star from door to door. They sing carols and are invited in for supper.
In Washington D.C., a huge, spectacular tree is lit ceremoniously when the President presses a button and turns on the tree's lights.
In Boston, carol singing festivities are famous. The singers are accompanied by hand bells.
In New Orleans, a huge ox is paraded around the streets decorated with holly and with ribbons tied to its horns.
In Arizona, the Mexican ritual called Las Posadas is kept up. This is a procession and play representing the search of Mary and Joseph for a room at the inn. Families play the parts and visit each other's houses enacting and re-enacting the drama and, at the same time, having a look at each family's crib.
In Hawaii, the Christmas Tree Ship starts Christmas, which is a ship bringing a great load of Christmas fare with Santa Claus.
In California, Santa Claus sweeps in on a surf board.
In U.S.A the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert there is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce also mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.
The majority of Americans celebrate Christmas with the exchange of gifts and greetings and with family visits. Usually for dinner is roast turkey, goose, duck or ham served with cranberry sauce, then plum pudding or pumpkin pie followed by nuts and fruit.
Houses are decorated with holly, mistletoe and branches of trees, most have a Christmas tree hung with electric lights, tinsel, baubles, and strings of popcorn and candy canes.
In Colorado, an enormous star is placed on the mountain, it can be seen for many kilometers around, while in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a star is lit in early December.
Polish Americans on Christmas Eve spread hay on their kitchen floor and under the tablecloth to remind them of a stable and a manger. In Philadelphia, a procession called a mummers parade runs for a whole day with bands, dancers and people in fancy dress.
There are two homes for Santa Claus in the United States one is in Torrington, Connecticut, where Santa and his helpers give out presents. The other home is in Wilmington, New York, where a village for Santa and his reindeer is located.
Christmas in Australia
It is not unusual to have Christmas Day well into the mid 30 degrees Celsius, or near 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
A traditional meal includes a turkey dinner, with ham, and pork. A flaming Christmas plum pudding is added for dessert
Some Australians often have their Christmas dinner at midday on a local beach. Other families enjoy their day by having a picnicThe warm weather allows Australians to enjoy a tradition which commenced in 1937. Carols by Candlelight is held every year on Christmas Eve, where people gather in the city of Melbourne to sing their favorite Christmas songs. The evening is lit by as many candles singing under a clean cut night sky.
Christmas shopping is often done in shorts and t-shirts.
Christmas in Brazil
Brazilians are a mix of different ethnic people, and as a former Portuguese colony, they have many Christmas customs which originate from this heritage.
One tradition is to create a nativity scene or Presépio.Nowadays they are set up in December and displayed in churches, homes, and stores.
Papai Noel or Father Noel is the gift-bringer in Brazi. When he arrives in Brazil, he usually wears silk clothing due to the summer heat.
A huge Christmas dinner includes turkey, ham, colored rice, and wonderful vegetables and fruit dishes.
At Midnight there is Mass or Missa do Galo. The mass has this name because the rooster announces the coming day and the Missa do Galo .On the 25th people go to church, but the masses are mostly late afternoon, because people enjoy sleeping late after the dinner called Ceia de Natal or going to the beach.
Decorations include fresh flowers picked from the garden.There is folk dancing and singing and the festivities go on until January 6th, which the Brazilians refer to as Three Kings Day. January 6th is supposed to be the day when three wise men visited Jesus to bring him gifts.

Christmas in Canada
Christmas celebrations are quite similar in the variety to America.
In some provinces, a big winter festival, called Sinck tuck, is celebrated by the Eskimos, with dancing and a present-giving party. .
In Nova Scotia, during the twelve days of Christmas small groups of belsnicklers, or masked mummers, appear in neighborhoods, ringing bells, making noise, seeking candy or other treats. The hosts may try to guess who the mummers are and if they guess right the mummer removes his or her disguise and stops making rude noises and actions. Children may be quizzed by the mummers on their behavior if they say they have been good they are rewarded with candy.
In Quebec they display Crčches or nativity scenes in their homes as the Christmas decorations. After attending midnight mass, families may be served tourtiere or pork pie. Another favorite food is Boulettes or small meatballs. A Christmas banquet is called a reveillon.
In British Columbia Christmas turkey may be accompanied by either fresh or smoked salmon.
In Canada the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.
Christmas in China
Children decorate trees with colorful ornaments,which are made from paper in the shapes of flowers, chains and lanterns. They also hang muslin stockings hoping that Christmas Old Man will fill them with gifts and treats.
The Chinese Christmas trees are called "Trees of Light." Santa Claus is called Dun Che Lao Ren which means "Christmas Old Man.".
The non-Christians call this season the Spring Festival and celebrate with many festivities.Children are the main focus of these celebrations, they receive new clothes and toys, eat delectable food and watch firecrackers displays.
Christmas in Czech Republic
Celebrations begin with the visit of St. Nicholas on December 6th and end with the visit of the Three Kings.Here he’s called Svaty Mikalas and is believed to climb to earth down from heaven on a golden rope along with his companions: an angel and a whip-carrying devil. It is said that according to tradition that a girl can tell her future by putting a cherry twig in water on December 4th. If the twig blossoms before Christmas Eve, the girl will marry sometime during the year.
Christmas is a quiet and peaceful religious time here.St Nicholas visits, and brings good children gifts, and for those children who are bad, the devil is said to come with switches.At midnight, most families go to Holy Mass or Pasterka as it is known. On Christmas Day, the churches are filled with evergreens and Christmas Trees. Czechs eat a soup made of cod roe and tempt each other with tales of a mythical golden pig.
Christmas in Egypt
The Coptic Church is an Orthodox Church and in the Coptic Church Christmas is celebrated on the 7th January. On the Christmas Eve everyone goes to church and service ends at midnight with the ringing of church bells.People eat meal known as fata, which consists of bread, rice, garlic and boiled meat. In the morning people visit friends and neighbors. They take with them kaik which is a type of shortbread, which they take with them to give to the people they visit and eaten with a drink known as shortbat. Christmas Day is a public holiday for Christians.
Christmas in England
People love to decorate Christmas Trees and hang up evergreen branches.
One England's customs is mummering.There are plays performed in towns and villages.
The gift giver is called Father Christmas. However, the gifts are not usually opened until the following afternoon.Father Christmas delivers them during the night before Christmas. Children leave an empty stocking or pillowcase hanging at the end of the bed and they hope it will be filled with presents.
The day after Christmas is called Boxing Day because boys used to go round collecting money in clay boxes. When the boxes were full, they broke them open.
People used to eat Frumenty, which was a kind of porridge made from corn. Over the years the recipe changed. Eggs, fruit, spice, lumps of meat and dried plums were added. The whole mixture was wrapped in a cloth and boiled. This is how plum pudding began.
The traditional dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.
Christmas in France
On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel.Nearly every French home at Christmastime displays a Nativity scene or crčche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration. The Christmas tree has never been particularly popular in France, and though the use of the Yule log has faded, the French make a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the buche de Nol, which means "Christmas Log." They have Le reveillon which is a very late supper held after midnight mass.In Alsace, goose is the main course, in Burgundy it is turkey with chestnuts, and the Parisians feast upon oysters and pat de foie gras. Le Revellion may consist of poultry, ham, salads, cake, fruit and wine. The traditional Christmas is a chocolate log.Children go out to look for the Kings, taking gifts of hay for the camels.
Another name for this day is Twelfth Day. It is the last of the Twelve Days of Christmas, which used to be one long holiday. Children leave their shoes or wooden clogs called sabots in the hearth for the Christ Child or Pere Noel to fill. In the north of France, children are given gifts on December 6, which is St. Nicholas' Day, instead of Christmas Day. The adults give each others presents on New Year's Day.
French children set out their shoes in hopes that le petit Jesus will fill them during the night with small gifts.
Christmas in Germany
People often set aside special evenings for baking spiced cakes and cookies, and making gifts and decorations. Little dolls of fruit are traditional Christmas toys.
Children leave letters on their windowsills for Christkind, a winged figure dressed in white robes and a golden crown who distributes gifts. Germans make beautiful gingerbread houses and cookies. The Christmas tree pastry, Christbaumgeback, is a white dough that can be molded into shapes and baked for tree decorations.
Some people believe that the Christ Child sends a messenger in Christmas Eve. He appears as an angel in a white robe and crown, bearing gifts.There is also a Christmas Eve figure called Weihnachtsmann or Christmas Man, he looks like Santa Claus and also brings gifts. People hang up advent wreaths of Holly with four red candles in the center. They light one candle each Sunday and last on Christmas Eve. Children count the days until Christmas using an Advent calendar. They open one window each day and find a Christmas picture inside.In some homes a room is locked up before Christmas. On Christmas Eve the children go to bed but are woken up at midnight by their parents and taken down to the locked room. The door is opened and they see the tree all lit up, with piles of parcels on little tables.The traditions are not quite like that.
1. Christmas preparations start before Dec. 1st,
2. December 6 is Nikolaustag, St. Claus day, you leave out a shoe or boot outside the door Dec.5 and the next morning you find presents (if you were a good kid) or a rod (if you were bad)
3. The Adventskranz (advent wreath) is not hung up but placed on a table lying flat, how could you light the candles otherwise...
4. catholic boys and girls dress up as kings for three kings day (jan. 6) they sing carols and collect money for donations to different projects
that"s just a couple of things...
Christmas in Great Britain
Christmas in Greece
St. Nicholas is important in Greece as the patron saint of sailors. On Christmas Eve small boys to the beating of drums and the tinkling of triangles usually sing carols. They go from house to house and are given dried figs, almonds, walnuts and lots of sweets or sometimes small gifts. Pigs are slaughtered and on almost every table are loaves of christopsomo or "Christ Bread". This bread is made in large sweet loaves of various shapes and the crusts are engraved and decorated in some way that reflects the family's profession.
Christmas trees are not commonly used . In almost every home the main symbol is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire is suspended across the rim; from that hangs a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross. A small amount of water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day, a family member,dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house. This ritual is believed to keep the Killantzaroi away from the house. At Christmas very few presents are given to each other. Instead, small gifts are given to hospitals and orphanages. In most Greek homes an evergreen tree is decorated with tinsel and a star placed on top. Gifts are exchanged on January 1st, St Basil's Day.
On Christmas Eve, groups of people gather around the holiday table. Figs, dried on rooftops are served with the spicy golden Chrisopsomo bread.
As people are they greet one another by saying Hronia polla or many happy years. The table filled with food may include such dishes as kourambiethes, a Greek nut cookie.

Christmas in Italy
The Christmas season lasts three weeks, starting 8 days before Christmas known as the Novena.In some parts shepherds bring musical instruments into the villages, play and sing Christmas songs.
A week before Christmas children go from house to house dressed as shepherds, playing pipes, singing and reciting Christmas poems. They are given money to buy presents. Presents and empty boxes, are drawn from the Urn of Fate - lucky dip, which always contains one gift per person. By twilight, candles are lighted around the family crib known as the Presepio.At noon on Christmas Day the pope gives his blessing to crowds gathered in the huge Vatican square. On christmas Eve the dinner is called cenone which is a traditional dish of eel.Lunch is Tortellini in Brodo which is filled pasta parcels in broth, also served is cappone which is boiled capon, or roasts are served in central Italy.

Christmas in Norway
Norwegian children always remember a little gnome Nisse at Christmastime. He guards all the farm animals, and he plays tricks on the children if they forget to place a bowl of special porridge for him.Gift-bearing little gnome or elf known as Julebukk or "Christmas buck," he appears as a goat-like creature.A favorite holiday cookie is called a sand kager . Norwegians eat lye-treated codfish, and wash it down with boiled potatoes, rice porridge, gingerbread, and punch.
Norwegians are very close to the North Pole, and they strongly hope for the magic of snow for the holydays! Christmas in Norway begins with the Saint Lucia ceremony on the 13 December. The Christmas tree, juletre, spruce or pine tree usually, are often decorated with candles, apples, red harts, cornets, straw ornaments, balls of glass and tinsels, all depending on what you like. The homes have a scent of resin, hyacinths, red tulips, spices and tangerines. The dinner may consist of a rib with a good crackling, ribbe, (served with "cabbage ŕ la norvégienne", surkaal, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, sprouts, prunes and brown sauce), salted and dried ribs of mutton, pinnekjoett, (served with potatoes, carrots and mashed swedes), or lye-treated codfish, lutefisk (served with potatoes, bacon and pea stew). For dessert: rice blended with whipped cream served with a red sauce, riskrem, caramel pudding, cherry mousse, or whipped cream blended with multer (orange, wonderful berries found on the mountain - looks like rasberries).
In the evening Santa Claus, julenissen, arrives with gifts.Traditional cakes and cookies made at Christmas can be julekake (with raisins), kryddekake, delfiakake, rosettbakels, fattigmann, smultringer, goro, silkekaker, pepperkaker, kokosmakroner. Different nuts, fruits, figs, dates and sweets also belong to the celebration. God Jul! (Merry Christmas!)
Christmas in Poland
Advent is an important season, with special church services, known as Roraty, being held every morning at 6am. Special tasks carried out during Advent are the baking of the Christmas piernik or honey cake, and the making of Christmas decorations. Pierniki are made in a great variety of shapes, including hearts, animals and St Nicholas figures. Traditional decorations include the pajaki = spiders, which are handmade mobiles, stars and decorated egg shells. Pajaki are traditional decorations, rather lots of bomblets, colourful paper chains and lots of electric lights.
Beautifully lit Christmas trees are placed in all public arenas, outside churches and in homes. Traditionally the trees are decorated with shiny apples, gift walnuts, beautifully wrapped chocolate shapes and many homemade decorations and candles. On the top of the tree is a star or a glittering top piece. In many homes, sparklers are hung on the branches of the trees giving it a magical air. Sometimes the trees are left standing until February 2nd, the feast day of St Mary of the Candle of Lightning.
During Advent, the Gwiadorze or star carriers, used to begin wandering through the towns and villages and this would continue until Epiphany. Some of the Gwiadorze sang carols, others recited verses or put on Szopki or puppet show, or herody or nativity scenes. The last two customs are developments from traditional manger scenes or Jaselka or crib. Star carriers are called carol singers. They sing carols. "put on Szopi" - you rather meant "perform Szopke". It is scene when Chist is born, and three kings come to the manger. "Herody" - you mean Herod's performance. The story, about evil king Herod, who was forseen to loose his power from a child, so he ordered to kill all the childs. Jaselka=Szopka. It is the same performance.
Christmas Eve, Wigilia, is an important part of the Polish Christmas, in fact, the most important rituals are celebrated on this day.
A traditional food found in Poland is Oplatek which is piece of bread pressed with a holy picture on the surface. Oplatek is only the begin. It is more symbolic than real food. We celebrate with at least 12 diffrent vegetarian dishes like: mushroom soup, carp, cabbage with pea, stuffed dumplings, shells macaroni with poppy "makielki". In some homes - some hay is put under the tablecloth (it is connected with Christ's manger).
People once carried these oplatek from house to house and wish their neighbors a Merry Christmas. Nowadays, the bread is mostly shared with members of the family and immediate neighbors. As each person shares the bread, they would have to do two things: forgive any hurts that have occurred over the past year and to wish the person all the happiness in the coming year.
Christmas in Portugal
In Portugal children await the coming of the Three Wise Men during Christmas time. On the eve of January 5th children place their shoes along windowsills and doorways and fill them with carrots and straw.The treats left is more likely to be candied fruits and sweet breads.
They do not recognize the red suit of most traditions as the person who brings gifts, but, gifts are a big part of the many Christmas celebrations. They have a feast known as the consoda which takes place on the morning of Christmas Day. They set extra places at the table for the souls of the dead.
The Portuguese "Christmas log," or cepo de Natal, is a piece of oak that burns on the hearth all through the day while people enjoy a lingering consoda. .
They have a Christmas tree too; the typical colours are the gold, red and green.
There are families who reserve an empty place for the persons who died, but it doesn't happen very often. During the consoada people eat boiled codfish and Portuguese sprouts (in pure olive oil) normally) and then everybody puts lots of desserts in the table and typical plates (rice pudding with cinamon, "rabandas"-seems like french toast, "filhoses"-fried desserts, "broas de mel" (pastries made with honey) “Sonhos” -pumpkin fritters ) Another very traditional desert is the "Bolo Rei" (King's cake) "which is a wreath-like very rich fruit cake laced with crystallized fruits and pine nuts." There is a little present inside the cake and a broadbean-who find the broadbean in one slice, must pay the next “King Cake”.
At midnight, there are also families who attend to the church for a special Midnight Mass, called "Missa do galo"-"Rooster’s Mass", but it happens more in the interior, who are more religious.
During the Christmas day visit the friends and family and have a big lunch normally with roast chicken, lamb or turkey.
Christmas in Russia
In the traditional Russian Christmas the special prayers are said.Then begins a twelve course supper in honor of each of the twelve apostles - fish, beet soup or Borsch, cabbage stuffed with millet, cooked dried fruit and much more.
Hay is spread on the floors and tables to encourage horse feed to grow in the coming year and people make clucking noises to encourage their hens to lay eggs.
On Christmas Day, hymns and carols are sung. People gather in churches which have been decorated with the usual Christmas trees or Yelka, flowers and colored lights.
Christmas dinner includes a variety of different meats - goose and suckling pig are favorites.
Babushka is a traditional Christmas figure who distributes presents to children.
The role of Father Christmas was played by Dedushka Moroz or Grandfather Christmas.
Christmas in Slovakia
Christmas trees in Slovakia go up on Christmas Eve.
People go to church and return for a traditional dinner which consists of two main dishes like a sauerkraut soup, and fish and potatoes salad.
After the main meals comes a dish called Lok'e which is food made from pieces of baked risen dough with raisins and poppy seeds.
Christmas in Spain
On Christmas Eve, as the stars come out, tiny oil lamps are lit in every house, and after Midnight Mass and Christmas Dinner, streets fill with dancers and onlookers. There is a special Christmas dance called the Jota. Children think of the Three Wise Man as the gift bearers.
Shoes are filled with straw or barley for the tired camels that must carry their riders through the busy night.Shoes may be placed on balconies on the night of the 6th January in the hope that the Wise Men will fill them with gifts.
The Spanish especially honor the cow at Christmas because it is thought that when Mary gave birth to Jesus the cow in the stable breathed on the Baby Jesus to keep him warm.
The country's patron saint is the Virgin Mary and the Christmas season officially begins December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is celebrated each year in front of the great Gothic cathedral in Seville with a ceremony called los Seises or the "dance of six."
Christmas Eve is known as Nochebuena or "the Good Night." A traditional Christmas treat is turron, a kind of almond candy.
December 28 is the feast of the Holy Innocents. Young boys of a town or village light bonfires and one of them acts as the mayor who orders townspeople to perform civic chores.
The Spanish Christmas is Navidad, people go to church, exchange presents, and many play on swing sets set up especially for the occasion.
Christmas in Sweden
Christmas begins in Sweden with the Saint Lucia ceremony. Before dawn on the morning of 13 December, the youngest daughter from each family puts on a white robe with a red sash. There are candle-lit processions to Church and the mother is the one who always lights the candles on Christmas Eve.
Christmas trees are usually found in Swedish homes two days before Christmas. Decoration may include candles, apples, Swedish flags, small gnomes wearing red tasseled caps, straw ornaments. Risgryngrot a special rice porridge, has hidden in it an almond which as tradition has it the person who finds the almond in his or her bowl will marry in the coming year.
After Christmas Eve dinner, a friend or family member dresses up as tomte or Christmas gnome. The tomte, unlike Santa Claus is supposed to live under the floorboards of the house or barn and ride a straw goat. The make-believe tomte, wearing a white beard and dressed in red robes, distributes gifts from his sack. Many are given with funny rhyme that hints at the contents.
Swedes eat lye-treated codfish and welcome the Christmas elves and the julbok which is the Christmas goat, who is responsible for the distributing of the presents.
In Sweden Jultomten, a little brownie helps Santa Claus give gifts to the children who have been good.
Christmas in Turkey
Santa Claus or St Nicholas birth is celebrated every year during the three-day festival held in early December. Born in the nearby town of Patara, St Nicholas is remembered not only as a famous Turkish archbishop, but also for his kindness to children.
Christmas in Ukraine
Sviata Vechera OR "Holy Supper" is the central tradition of the beautiful Christmas Eve celebrations in Ukrainian homes.
When children see the first Star in the eastern evening sky, the Sviata Vechera may begin. In farming communities the head of the household brings in a sheaf of wheat called the didukh. Didukh means literally "grandfather spirit" so it symbolizes the family's ancestors. In city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a vase are often used to decorate the table.
A prayer is said and the father says the traditional Christmas greeting, "Khristos rodyvsya!" which is translated “ Christ is born!”, ad the answer is "Slavite Yoho!" which translated is Let Us Glorify Him.
At the end of the Sviata Vechera the family often sings Kolyadky which is a Ukrainian Christmas Carols.Ukrainian carols are unusual because they mention Ukraine while others are ancient pagan songs of a thousand years ago which have been converted into Christian carols.
The old tradition in Ukraine of giving gifts to children on St. Nicholas Day, December 19th, has generally been replaced by the Christmas date.
The traditional Christmas customs of Ukraine add color and significance to the winter festival of Christmas, and Ukrainian Christmas on January 7th is usually a peaceful and quiet event.The 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.

Dzięki wielkie Bardzo wesoły

Przekonałam anglice że to na jutro, więc jeszce powinnam zdążyć Bardzo wesoły

no to fajnie:) mam nadzieje,ze CI jakos pomoglam

Ależ oczywiście że pomogłaś! Bardzo wesoły

Anglica wstawiła mi 5, a jak zaprezentuję jakiś kraj
to podwyższy na 6. Bardzo wesoły

No i miałam dużo mniej roboty w domu Bardzo wesoły

aha no to dobrze ze jednak sie na cos przydalam zwazywszy ze i tak mialas calosc zrobiona;)

Visenna	» Sro Gru 14, 2005 17:21
Redaktor Naczelna Dołączył: 29 Sty 2005 Pochwał: 2 Posty: 9363 Skąd: brać na piwo? Status: Offline	Poproś Patryka Pozdrawiam. Visenna, Loki, Goofie i konie Szanuj moda swego, mozesz mieć gorszego
» Wysłany: Sro Gru 14, 2005 17:21

woltyzerka	» Czw Gru 15, 2005 14:44
Masztalerz Dołączył: 14 Paź 2005 Posty: 771 Skąd: St.Miłosna/Warszawa Status: Offline	Jak go spotkam to poproszę. Nie odkładaj na jutro tego co możesz zrobić pojutrze. http://www.photoblog.pl/happypigeon
» Wysłany: Czw Gru 15, 2005 14:44

aniadolittle	» Czw Gru 15, 2005 17:45
Szwoleżer Dołączył: 15 Mar 2005 Posty: 2348 Skąd: szczecin Status: Offline	nie ma sprawy jesli chodzi o mnie moge ci pomoc tylko na kiedy to ma byc?bo jak moge w weekend ci napisac...to bedziesz miec w niedz przetlumaczona calosc Wetka-zawsze zwarta i gotowa ;]
» Wysłany: Czw Gru 15, 2005 17:45

aniadolittle	» Sob Gru 17, 2005 3:24
Szwoleżer Dołączył: 15 Mar 2005 Posty: 2348 Skąd: szczecin Status: Offline	kurde troche tego jest ,ale pewnie nie ma sprawy na niedziele a najpozniej na pon bedziesz to miec zrobione bede ci slac to moze kawalkami,zebys sie mniej denerwowala ze nie zdaze czy cos.. Wetka-zawsze zwarta i gotowa ;]
» Wysłany: Sob Gru 17, 2005 3:24

woltyzerka	» Nie Gru 18, 2005 19:04
Masztalerz Dołączył: 14 Paź 2005 Posty: 771 Skąd: St.Miłosna/Warszawa Status: Offline	Aniu, ratujesz mi życie! Powiedz jak mogę ci się odwdzięczyć (nie wstając od komputera ) Nie odkładaj na jutro tego co możesz zrobić pojutrze. http://www.photoblog.pl/happypigeon
» Wysłany: Nie Gru 18, 2005 19:04

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» Forum koniarzy » Tłumaczenia » Pomóżcie mi z tym artykułem, proszę.

aniadolittle	» Nie Gru 18, 2005 22:23
Szwoleżer Dołączył: 15 Mar 2005 Posty: 2348 Skąd: szczecin Status: Offline	spokojnie na pewno sie cos znajdzie co bedziesz moglai dla mnie zrobic:) mam taka nadzieje....ze jak bede potrzebowac to mi pomozesz Wetka-zawsze zwarta i gotowa ;]
» Wysłany: Nie Gru 18, 2005 22:23

woltyzerka	» Wto Gru 20, 2005 16:36
Masztalerz Dołączył: 14 Paź 2005 Posty: 771 Skąd: St.Miłosna/Warszawa Status: Offline	Dzięki wielkie Przekonałam anglice że to na jutro, więc jeszce powinnam zdążyć Nie odkładaj na jutro tego co możesz zrobić pojutrze. http://www.photoblog.pl/happypigeon
» Wysłany: Wto Gru 20, 2005 16:36

aniadolittle	» Sro Gru 21, 2005 22:52
Szwoleżer Dołączył: 15 Mar 2005 Posty: 2348 Skąd: szczecin Status: Offline	no to fajnie:) mam nadzieje,ze CI jakos pomoglam Wetka-zawsze zwarta i gotowa ;]
» Wysłany: Sro Gru 21, 2005 22:52

woltyzerka	» Czw Gru 22, 2005 14:22
Masztalerz Dołączył: 14 Paź 2005 Posty: 771 Skąd: St.Miłosna/Warszawa Status: Offline	Ależ oczywiście że pomogłaś! Anglica wstawiła mi 5, a jak zaprezentuję jakiś kraj to podwyższy na 6. No i miałam dużo mniej roboty w domu Nie odkładaj na jutro tego co możesz zrobić pojutrze. http://www.photoblog.pl/happypigeon
» Wysłany: Czw Gru 22, 2005 14:22

aniadolittle	» Sob Gru 31, 2005 15:12
Szwoleżer Dołączył: 15 Mar 2005 Posty: 2348 Skąd: szczecin Status: Offline	aha no to dobrze ze jednak sie na cos przydalam zwazywszy ze i tak mialas calosc zrobiona;) Wetka-zawsze zwarta i gotowa ;]
» Wysłany: Sob Gru 31, 2005 15:12