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Christmas trees are a tradition in France. They are a big thing. There are 2 types of Xmas trees: plastic ones which you can use and use again and real trees which are cut down for the occasion. Whatever people choose to buy, the trees are then decorated with tinsel lights and garlands. Finally, a star is put on the top of the tree.
Villages, towns and cities have outdoor Xmas trees. 🎄

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In Japan, Christmas is not really a special time for a family reunion, but it’s surely one of the happiest time for kids. They really look forward to their Christmas cake, Christmas presents and the beginning of their winter break for school. Usually they have their cake on Christmas Eve, and open their presents the next day, the 25th. And, the New Year holidays are coming a few days later!
Christmas Eve is also a special day for couples. They go out for a special, romantic dinner and enjoy their time, just two of them. We have a custom of a year-end-party, called Bo-nen-kai (忘年会). We have “忘年会” with our close friends, school friends and colleagues, as it means a “party to forget all the bad things, hardships and troubles of the year”. Christmas is in the middle of Bo-nen-kai Season, but we usually avoid having Bo-nen-kai on Christmas Eve.

As I said, Christmas is not a special time for a family reunion. It’s the New Year holidays when all the family members get together. The 1st of January is a public holiday, and most companies and offices are closed until the 3rd of January. Family members who live and work/study away go back to their hometown and enjoy catching up. I usually go back around this time, but this year I won’t, because the COVID-19 situation around Tokyo and nearby area are getting worse and worse and I don’t think it’s a great idea to travel around using the public transportation. I miss my mother’s New Year dish, but we can enjoy doing a lot of things online now, talking, showing each other’s life, playing games, etc. So it’s not all bad!

(You can see a snapshot of one of these online chats if you click on the "neighbouring" pin!)

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In Japan, Christmas is not really a special time for a family reunion, but it’s surely one of the happiest time for kids. They really look forward to their Christmas cake, Christmas presents and the beginning of their winter break for school. Usually they have their cake on Christmas Eve, and open their presents the next day, the 25th. And, the New Year holidays are coming a few days later!
Christmas Eve is also a special day for couples. They go out for a special, romantic dinner and enjoy their time, just two of them. We have a custom of a year-end-party, called Bo-nen-kai (忘年会). We have “忘年会” with our close friends, school friends and colleagues, as it means a “party to forget all the bad things, hardships and troubles of the year”. Christmas is in the middle of Bo-nen-kai Season, but we usually avoid having Bo-nen-kai on Christmas Eve.

As I said, Christmas is not a special time for a family reunion. It’s the New Year holidays when all the family members get together. The 1st of January is a public holiday, and most companies and offices are closed until the 3rd of January. Family members who live and work/study away go back to their hometown and enjoy catching up. I usually go back around this time, but this year I won’t, because the COVID-19 situation around Tokyo and nearby area are getting worse and worse and I don’t think it’s a great idea to travel around using the public transportation. I miss my mother’s New Year dish, but we can enjoy doing a lot of things online now, talking, showing each other’s life, playing games, etc. So it’s not all bad!

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Many different languages are spoken in Nigeria. In Hausa Happy/Merry Christmas is 'barka dà Kirsìmatì'; in Yoruba it's 'E ku odun, e ku iye'dun'; in Fulani it's 'Jabbama be salla Kirismati'; in Igbo (Ibo) 'E keresimesi Oma'; in Ibibio 'Idara ukapade isua' and it's Edo it's 'Iselogbe'. Read more on the website above.

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On this page 'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Christmas' is shown in different languages from all around the world (apart from English)!

If you know one that isn't listed, please Contact Us.

Some languages below use different characters and alphabets, so I have also spelt them in English as best I can.

African Languages

Afrikaans (South Africa, Namibia)

Geseënde Kersfees

Arabic

Eid Milad Majid (عيد ميلاد مجيد)
Which means 'Glorious Birth Feast'

Aramaic

Eedookh Breekha
Which means 'Blessed be your Christmas'

India

Bengali (also spoken in Bangladesh)

shubho bôṛodin (শুভ বড়দিন)

Iran

Farsi

Christmas MobArak

Japanese
Meri Kurisumasu (or 'Meri Kuri' for short!)

Hiragana: めりーくりすます

Katakana: メリークリスマス

Malaysia

Bahasa/Malay

Selamat Hari Natal

Native American / First Nation Languages

This page has a large list of Merry Christmas Native/First Nation Languages (goes to another site)

Papiamentu - spoken in the Lesser Antilles (Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire)

Bon Pascu

Sci-fi & Fantasy Languages!

Klingon (Star Trek)

toDwI'ma' qoS yItIvqu' (Our Savior's birthday you-enjoy!)

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How to say Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas In Different Languages on whychristmas?com

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On this page 'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Christmas' is shown in different languages from all around the world (apart from English)! If you know one that isn't listed, please Contact Us. Some languages below use different characters and alphabets, so I have also spelt them in English as best I can.

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In Brazil, Santa Claus is called Papai Noel & Bom Velhinho (Good Old Man).

Many Christmas customs are similar to ones in the USA or UK even though it's summer and very hot at Christmas time in Brazil. Many people like to go to the beach.

Sometimes children leave a sock near a window. If Papai Noel finds your sock, he'll exchange it for a present!

Taking part in a 'Secret Santa', known as 'amigo secreto' (secret friend) is popular in Brazil at Christmas. It is traditional to give small gifts all through December using a pretend name (apelidos). On Christmas Day, people reveal who their amigo secreto was!

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In Quebec they celebrate Christmas by putting up a tree. Many people also decorate a tree with lights outside. Also by the time Christmas comes there is a lot of snow so it looks very festive. The Christmas dinner is called "Reveillon" (waking up) and it is eaten after the Midnight Mass most likely at about two o'clock in the morning. Nowdays people usually eat turkey for dinner but in the old days they used to eat Tourtire.

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This is the 2019 Nativity crib. It is made of "santons". This Provençal crib was originally meant for Notre Dame de Paris. However, due to the terrible fire, the crib ended up in Notre Dame de Verdun.

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You're right about the "crèche" or Nativity crib. There are bigger crèches in churches and cathedrals all over the country. Families enjoy going to church to have a look at the crib. For example, this is the crèche at Notre Dame de Verdun cathedral. As you can see, baby Jesus isn't there yet. He will be visible as of tomorrow, December 25th.

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In the UK (or Great Britain), families often celebrate Christmas together, so they can watch each other open their presents!

Most families have a Christmas Tree (or maybe even two!) in their house for Christmas. The decorating of the tree is usually a family occasion, with everyone helping. Christmas Trees were first popularised the UK by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Prince Albert was German, and thought that it would be good to use one of his ways of celebrating Christmas in England.

Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe are also sometimes used to decorate homes or other buildings.

Most villages, towns and cities are decorated with Christmas lights over Christmas. Often a famous person switches them on. The most famous Christmas lights in the UK are in Oxford Street in London. Every year they get bigger and better. Thousands of people go to watch the big 'switch on' around the beginning of November.

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There is a weird tradition in iceland that sparked my interest.In order to turn their children into good behavior Icelanders are telling children a scary story.This scary story is about a huge and vicious called cat "The Yule Cat" which is described as lurking about the snowy countryside during Christmas time and eating people who have not received any new clothes to wear before Christmas eve.This is an actually terrifying tradition if you think of the people that can't afford new clothes.

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Los Angeles, Καλιφόρνια, Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες

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Los Angeles, Καλιφόρνια, Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες

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Los Angeles, Καλιφόρνια, Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες

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from Alina. In Los Angeles the Christmas holidays are magic.When it snows,they go out and play snowball fight, have a Chrismas treasure hunt,or outdoor ice skating.Then they go home have some hot chocolate and spent some time together.There is also a Holiday Parade that is full of fun and surprises.Moreover, visitors can enjoy holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood or they can visit Music Center were they can enjoy concerts and never see the same event twice. Families can spend their day in a "SNOW DAY AT LA",an outdoor winter wonderland in Elysian Park feautering winter tubing The new Enchanted Crystal Winter Garden with giant glowing crystals,an interactive light show.

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Christmas in Malta is very importand to the people and it sistera island of Gozo.Most people on Malta are Catholics and go to a Midnight Mass Service.Usually the churches are full with peoples.
The churches are decorated with lights and nativity cribs,'Presepjn' built by the church go-ers. The cribs are decorated with fugures, called 'pasturi'.Today some of the cribs are mechanical and the figure in them move!the figure of the baby Jesus is put on the main altar ay idnight on Christmas night!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy new year to all!!!

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Καναδάς Ηλίας 

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Καναδάς Ηλίας 

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People in Canada send Christmas Cards to their friends and family.

Many Canadians open their gifts on Christmas Eve. Some only open their stocking on Christmas Eve. Others choose one gift to open, then save the rest until Christmas Day.

Canadians like to decorate their houses with Christmas Trees, lights and other decorations. There's often Christmas stockings hung by the fireplace, ready for Santa!

The main Christmas meal is often roast turkey with vegetables and 'all the trimmings' like mashed potatoes and vegetables. Traditional favorite Christmas desserts include Christmas/plum puddings and mincemeat tarts. Christmas crackers are popular with many people in Canada as well. A rich fruit Christmas Cake is also normally eaten around Christmas time!

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Χαβάη, Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες

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Χαβάη, Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες

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Χαβάη, Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες

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Its sounds to me extremely impressive to visit some day Hawaii during Christmas season. There are many reasons why it makes it special.You never have to worry about the bad weather Celebrating Xmas without snow or cold weather may seem weird for some, but is normal in Hawaii. Few things that makes it more incredible is a Santa Claus dressed up with a festive hawaiian shirt,the light parades, and the celebrations that will put even the most strange people into the holiday spirit.

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In France a Nativity crib is often used to help decorate the house. France cribs have clay figures in them. During December some towns and cities, such as Marseilles, have fairs that sell Nativity figures. As well as having the normal Nativity figures in them,Frenche scenes also have figures such as a Butcher, a Baker, a Policeman and a Priest!

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Χαβάη, Κουβέιτ

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Χαβάη, Κουβέιτ

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Χαβάη, Κουβέιτ

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Austria shares many Christmas traditions with it neighboor Germany, but also has many special Christmas customs of its own.
Every town will also have a large christmas tree in the town square. In homes trees and decorated with gold and silver ornamenand stars made from straw!!

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In Portugal every Christmas when the family sit to the table to eat the delicious meal. The father of each family must throw a spoonful of food to the ceiling. The more food gets stuck there, then the luckier the year is! ♥️

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Μαχαράστρα, Ινδία

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People in India on Christmas holidays usually decorate their houses with mango and banana trees,they also decorate them with mango leaves and small clay oil-burning lamps witch are placed on the roofs of houses.The churches are decorated with poinsettias and lit wih candles for the Christmas evening services.

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Παρίσι, Γαλλία

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In France the christmas tree has never been particulary popular.Though French people have other popular traditions.They make a delicious long-shaped cake called the buche de Nol.It is served at the rveillion.

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In Japan at christmas people queue up for many hours just to take some buckets of kfc chicken wings from their local kfc restaurant!

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In Ukraine people decorate their trees with spider webs in order to celebrate the miracle that happened to a poor women who couldn't afford decorating her tree so she went to sleep and when she woke up the spiders had decorated it for her

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Κρήτη, Ελλάδα

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Κρήτη, Ελλάδα

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Κρήτη, Ελλάδα

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In Crete,Christmas is one of the most important days. Women prepare melomakarona, cookies and kourabiedes. All the children on Christmas Eve go to the houses of the people and sing the carols. On Christmas day everyone sits around the table and eats Christmas food. When they finish eating, they exchange their gifts. On New Year's day all the children sing the carols and wait for Santa Claus to bring them their presents.

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Λόγος & Επικοινωνία

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Για να παρέχουμε την καλύτερη εμπειρία, χρησιμοποιούμε τεχνολογίες όπως cookies για την αποθήκευση ή/και την πρόσβαση σε πληροφορίες συσκευών. Η συγκατάθεση για τις εν λόγω τεχνολογίες θα μας επιτρέψει να επεξεργαστούμε δεδομένα προσωπικού χαρακτήρα, όπως συμπεριφορά περιήγησης ή μοναδικά αναγνωριστικά σε αυτόν τον ιστότοπο.

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It is a well known fact that most countries that are located in Southern hemisphere, Christmas is celebrated during the summer season. South Africa is no exemption. With over 80% of South African population adheres to Christianity they celebrate Christmas like every other Christian in the world with the only difference that it is celebrated with barbecues at the beaches

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Alpine countries like Austria have a legend that a devil-like creature called krampus joins their St. Nicholas festivities on December 6. Children are asked for a list of their good and bad deeds: Good children are rewarded with sweets, apples and nuts, and bad children worry what Krampus might bring on Christmas morning.

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Similar to 12 days of Christmas in the U.S., icelandic children are visited by the 13 Yule Lads. After placing their shoes by the window, the little ones will head upstairs to bed. In the morning, they'll either have received candy (if they're good) or be greeted with shoes full of rotten potatoes if they're bad.

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Every year, the city of San Fernando holds Ligligan Parul (or Giant Lantern Festival) featuring dazzling parole that symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. Each parole consists of thousands of spinning lights that illuminate the night sky. The festival has made San Fernando the " Christmas Capital of the Philippines"

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Christmas ιn Poland, by Natalia!

Τhe evening of December 24 is the most important of the year. The families meet for a gala dinner. Tradition says that dinner should start when the first star in the sky appears - it symbolizes the birth of Jesus. On this day, you do not eat meat, and there should be 12 dishes on the table (like the 12 apostles). We leave one plate empty - according to tradition - possibly for a person who needs help. Nobody should be alone this evening. It is said that the animals speak with a human voice this evening. It is the magical beginning of Christmas.

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In Greece we have many Christmas traditions. One of them is to sing the carols to Christmas Eve. We go from house to house and sing. Every place has different carols. In Crete we have the Cretan carols. Every lanlord give us money or treats.

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Australia Zoo, Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah Κουίνσλαντ, Αυστραλία

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Can you imagine that Christmas in Australia happen during the summer? Thats so strange for us! They decorate their gardens with reiders and christmas trees... They are decorating so much their houses and sometimes they are doing comprtitions for that. They also singing the carols and except childs who are singing, some famous singers take part of that.

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Chrismas in Ireland are like Chrismas in America but a bit changed. As we all know, Americans put clothes near to the fireplace, but Irish put bags there and they wait for Santa to give them their presents! They also have a beer for Santa near them. They don't decorate a Christmas tree, but they have a decorated candle near the window to help all the poor families.

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By John: In Norway people believe that in the Christmas Eve arrive evil spirits and witches.So because of the arrival of the witches who like to ride brooms,Norwegians hide all their brooms before they go to sleep.

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Australian celebrate Christmas at sea, because in Australia it's summer. Christmas decoration has flowers and wreaths. Santa Nikolas hands out presents at Christmas, not New Year's Eve.

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Dozens of events of classical , jazz and traditional music , dance ,gastronomy and representation of life in the MAiddle Ages and the Renaissance are organised and take place every year throughout the Czech Republic .

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The Portuguese celebrate a feast which called consoada,in the early morning of Christmas.They set places at the table for ''the souls of the dead'.In some areas people leave some crumbs on the table for them.

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In UK the Christmas is three days after the winter solstice,so the weather can be very cold .People spangle their houses with lights and coulored decorations to make the winter seem warmer.Also,they bring a small tree and decorate it with coulored balls and presents.

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My childhood memories are of a traditional English Christmas. A huge Christmas tree, lots of presents and a a big meal of turkey, roast vegetables  Christmas pudding.  My mum always insisted that we watched the Queen's Speech on Christmas Day afternoon!!  We'd then watch a movie and have even more food - a Christmas tea of ham, salad, Christmas cake and trifle!!  Christmas was, and still is, a big deal at my mum's house!

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Christmas in NZ is a traditionally a time of sunshine,  beaches,  barbecues and swimming (when the weather behaves!) . People often use the time to go on holiday and kiwis will drive for hours to get to their destination!  My favourite part of this time of year is the blossoming pohutukawa tree.

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The christmas tree has never been popular in France and though the use of the Yole los has faded the French make a traditional Yole los- shaped cake called the buche de nol which means Christmas cake among other foods. There is great abundance and it is served at the grand feast of the season which is called reveillon.

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Did you know that czech people have their traditional christmas meal on Christmas eve. Their dinner consists of fish soup and as an accompaniment either fried carp or potato salad

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Nearly every French home at Christmastime displays a Nativity scene or creche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration. The creche is often peopled with little clay figures called sandos or "little saints."

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Christians in India decorate mango or banana trees at Christmas time. Sometimes they also decorate their houses with mango leaves. In some parts of India, small lamps are used as Christmas decorations; they are placed on the edges of flat roofs and on the tops of walls. Churches are decorated with poinsettias and lit with candles. It must be so beautiful! I would really like to visit this country one day!

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In Ukrainian Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Веселого Різдва' Veseloho Rizdva (Merry Christmas) or 'Христос Рождається' Khrystos Rozhdayetsia (Christ is Born)! Looks weird to us, right? Well, be surprised, Christmas is celebrated on 7th January, because the main Church is the Orthodox Church and they use the old 'Julian' calendar for their church festivals. When Greeks schools open, Ukrainian ones celebrate Christmas! You can't start eating the meal until the first star is seen in the sky. So people (especially the hungry ones!) go outside as soon as it start getting dark in the afternoon to try and spot the first star. The star represents the journey of the Wise Men to find Jesus and that Jesus has been born, so Christmas can start! Their Santa is called Ded Moroz! Ukranian people also love to sing carols. The Ukrainian carol 'Shchedryk' is where the popular 'Carol of the Bells' came from. We all know that song! I hore you liked this!

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Christmas in Austria is great and they are not called Christmas but "Frohliche Weihnachton"! Every town will also have a large Christmas Tree in the town square. In homes, trees are decorated with gold and silver ornaments and stars made from straw! Their Santa Claus, is not really a Santa but Christkind who is described as a golden-haired baby, with wings, who symbolizes the new born Christ. They eat 'Gebackener Karpfen' which is fried carp, goose, honey gingerbread cookies and many more things! I would like to pass a Christmas holiday there! How about you?

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Yugoslavia Commerce ad, Sarajevska, Βελιγράδι, Σερβία

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Yugoslavia Commerce ad, Sarajevska, Βελιγράδι, Σερβία

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Yugoslavia Commerce ad, Sarajevska, Βελιγράδι, Σερβία

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By Catherine: In Yugoslavia children celebrate the second Sunday before Christmas as Mother's Day. The cildren creep in and tie her feet to a chair and shout. Mothers must give them presents to get away.Children do it again with their fathers next week.

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By Joanna.M
In Russia Xmas is the most important feast after Easter.
In Russia Xmas starts on 7 January and the new year is celebrated on 6 January

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In Spain the children take their presents on 6 January.In Spain  presents aren't brought by Santa Claus ,but by the three wise kings.

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Ισπανια χριστουγεννιατικα εθιμα' - Google Search

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φύλλα εργασίασ νηπιαγωγείο χριστούγεννα στην ισπανία ισπανικά ισπανοί παραμονή χριστουγέννων πρωτοχρονιά χώρεσ κάλαντα έθιμο

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In Finland, Christmas is celebrated with different ways. Some of them are really impressive. Read more to find out! Of course, Rovaniemi, couldn't be missing! We all know this village right? It is in the picture too! Isn't it just amazing? Finnish Christmas would not be the same without gingerbread of all shapes and sizes! They usually are treated with spicy mulled wine which is called“Glögi”!  Ice lanterns or lanterns made out of small snow balls are very beautiful and popular! An old wooden sauna surrounded by white snow and warm candle light, is the ideal place to hang out with some hot chocolate shared with friends and family! Finland is where Santa lives. Why don’t you pay him a return visit for all those times he came to your house? Wouldn't it be nice?

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The main Christmas celebration in Mexico is called las posadas which refers to processions reenacting Joseph and Mary's searsch 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.The pilgrims travel from house to house asking for a shelter and are refused at each until they finally reach the house where an alter and Nativity scene have been set up.Here the pilgrims are admitted with great rejoicing,a traditional prayer is spoken and the party begins.Food and drink served and then childreen take turns trying to break open the pinata

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Hi!I am going to write about a crazy tradition in Germany!They dress up in really creepy straw devil's costumes , run at the road and scare  each other! In old days it was a pagan tradition.People think that they should wear Santa hats because it looks more like a Halloween than a Christmas tradition.

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Kirkwall, Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο

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The Kirkwall Ba' (Ball) is a festive tradition celebrated in the streets of Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands to the north of the Scottish mainland. FIFA has described it as "the world's most unbelievable game of football". There are two main matches: the boys' game is played on Christmas Day, and the men's one on New Year's Day. You can find out more about it in this video: https://tinyurl.com/ybmwqq6t Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Guess what? I am going to write about the delicious Christmas sweets we bake in Greece every year, the most famous of which are kourabiedes and melomakarona! Kourabiedes are biscuits covered in sugar (some say sugar looks a lot like snow in this case), while melomakarona are a kind of biscuit again, saturated in syrup and covered in dried nuts (the recipe depends on the creator most of the times). Both Christmas treats are mouth watering and they are consumed in very large numbers all over Greece! Let's read about other countries' beautiful customs, recipes and traditions!

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Melomakarona Greek Christmas Cookies - Cheeky Crumbs

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In Spain they have a very strange Christmas tradition called Tio de Nadal. Tio is this wooden ornament in the picture. In Spain to get presents for Tio you have to feed him and on Christnas day he gives birth to presents.Strange huh?
That's it for now, merry Chrismas and a happy new year!