Christmas Celebrations Across The World

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What's your typical christmas day like? I'll let you in on mine which, unlike the annual televised scenario of snow and snowmen, red stockings over warm fire places, eggnog and wool knitwear, comprises of a hot summers day enjoying fresh watermelon and ice cream...no great importance on presents (though they're always welcome), but there's always a big dose of family, pool side braais (barbecues) and an evening spent singing carols at church service! Guess where i'm from?? Somewhere deep in the South of Africa...i'll leave it at that.

Here's how other people celebrate:

AUSTRALIA
1.The hot temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celcius means lots of beaching, surfing and shopping,

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2. With a cultural mix of  heritages derived from England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Europe, Italy, Greece, Spain, France, Middle East, Vietnam, China, Japan, Thailand as well as North and South America christmas becomes a joyous amalgamation of all cultures!
3. Traditional dinners are replaced with family gatherings in back yards, picnics in parks, gardens and on the beach.
4. It's all about family...
5. And lastly, because of the possibilty of Santa suffering heat stroke down under, he's replaced by 'Swag Man' who wears a brown Akubra (those iconic outback wide-brimmed hats), a blue singlet and long baggy shorts. He spends all winter under Uluru with his merry dingoes (wild Australian dog) and then at Christmas time, he gets in his huge four-wheel drive and sets off through the red dust to deliver his presents.

BETHLEHEM

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1. As the place where Jesus was born, means christmas is a very humble and religious event where celebrations are focused on ritualistic church events.
2.  Christian homes in Bethlehem are marked by a cross painted over the door and each home displays a homemade manger scene.


CZECHOSLOVAKIA

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1. 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.
2.They enjoy the practice of cutting a branch from a cherry tree and putting it in water indoors to bloom. If the bloom opens in time for Christmas it is considered good luck, and also a sign that the winter may be short. The hope of early spring helps keep spirits up during the long dark winter.

INDIA
1. Christians in India decorate mango or banana trees at Christmas time.

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2. Churches are decorated with poinsettias and lit with candles for the Christmas Evening service.









MEXICO

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1. Much like every other celebration in this country they go big and loud! Flambouyant decorations, christmas stalls, plenty food, la familia and los amigos all around (disclaimer: i only took spanish for half a year before dropping out)!
2. The main Christmas celebration in Mexico is called las posadas, which refers to processions reenacting Joseph and Mary's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. The processions begin nine days before Christmas because the original journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem took nine days. Friends and family members divide themselves into two groups - pilgrims and innkeepers and proceed with the full re-inactment.

ANGLOPHONE WORLD (UK, English Canada and America primarily)
Ah the selling TV christmas; snow, snowmen, warm fire places, decorated christmas trees, miseltoe, christmas carols, knitted reeindeer sweaters and red sown stockings!

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 Santa Clause/Father Christmas slides down the chimney carrying with him a great big bag filled with presents which he slides under the  christmas tree/ or into the hanging stockings after indulging himself in the little snacks layed in preparation of his arrival :)
A time for family, a time for shopping, and a time for food, food and more food (turkey, puddings, chocolates...etc)!!!

Is there a particularly special way you celebrate christmas???

Information provided from http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/