# data[].attributes.body
Even though Christmas is still celebrated on the same day, Dec 25 the weather is very different than in the US. Christmas here in Australia is in the summer and it is very hot.
Many families will have a seafood lunch where they will eat fish, oysters, prawns and salads because it's too hot to have the oven on all day. We often spend time with our families outside in the pool and playing with our new toys.
Since it is so hot we usually wear shorts, t-shirts, dresses and light clothing with sandals or thongs (flip flops).
We still like to have a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, decorate our houses with lights and give gifts to friends and family.

# data[].attributes.headline
Boldog Mikulási Napot! Happy St. Nicholas day! - Hungary

# data[].attributes.subject
Boldog Mikulási Napot! Happy St. Nicholas day! - Hungary

# data[].attributes.body
On December 6,  it's St Nicholas Day in Hungary.  According to Hungarian custom it is Saint Nicholas (Mikulás) who comes bearing gifts for children on his name day, December 6th. Children typically put shoes in their windows or in another centrally located place in their home such as the fire place to receive St Mikulás' gift.  Traditionally a chocolate Mikulás is given to 'good children' in Hungary, and a birch stick is given to 'naughty kids'. In the traditional Nicholas-walk, on December 6, St. Nicholas comes clothed in a bishop’s attire, a long red coat and a red cap on his head, holding a shepherd’s crook in one hand, and carrying a sack full of gifts on his back. He knocks on every window, and he asks children whether they had been good or bad, rewarding them according to their behavior: the good ones receive presents, the bad children are given a birch stick (virgács).   Also for those curious to know, the Hungarian Santa supposedly lives in a small village in Fejér County, called Nagykarácsony (meaning: Great Christmas), so that is where Hungarian children should write to him.  When it comes to Christmas Day, the Christmas tree is decorated on Christmas Eve, December 24. In addition to the usual decorations, also chocolate pieces in bright wrappings are used. According to tradition the Christmas present(s) is brought by baby Jesus in the evening. Religious people follow the (Jesus kid) tradition and they go to the midnight mass, too.

# data[].attributes.body
id el Fotr or festival of fast-breaking which marks the end of Ramadan the fasting month.

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Roshini and my family celebrates Diwali. Diwali is the most famous festival in India which falls during the month of October and November. Diwali is called Festival of Lights. Diwali is celebrated all over India and the reason for the celebration is different between North India and South India. I am from South India; in my place Diwali is celebrated to mark the killing of the evil monster, Narakasura, by Lord Krishna. Before Narakasura died, Krishna granted him his last wish. His wish was that all the people have fun and festivities the day he died.

On Diwali we wake up early and bathe with oil to rinse away the evil. We decorate the house with rangoli and diyas (oil lamp). My mom prepares sweets and snacks. We worship the gods and then offer them sweets and snacks and also new clothes and fire crackers important part in this festival.

My favourite part is bursting the crackers and sharing sweets and snacks with friends and neighbours.

# data[].attributes.body
Lisa

From: Johnson City, NY

Live in Mooresville, NC

We celebrate on Christmas Eve and this tradition is called the Holy Supper. It is a Catholic Polish tradition that my family and I have been doing since I was a little girl!

During this dinner- there are 12 meatless dishes that represent the 12 Disciples, hay on the tables to represent the hay in the manger, white table cloths to represent the blanket Jesus was wrapped in, a candle to represent the North Star, and an extra plate set to represent Jesus’ presence or a surprise guest.

We eat perogies, sauerkraut, variety of beans, fish, potatoes, rice, rolls, onions, peas and soup. After reading a verse from the bible and singing Silent Night, we go around the table passing Oplatki (Christmas Wafer) and saying what we are thankful for. Once everyone has had a chance to speak- we eat! You have to take food from every dish- whatever you don’t eat we combine into a bucket and leave out for the animals (representing the animals in the stable).

This is my FAVORITE tradition my family does every Christmas- I look forward to Christmas Eve dinner every year! Just a wonderful time to remember the reason for the season and being together as a family.

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Jill and my family celebrates Thanksgiving on the 4th Thursday in November.  It is a day that we gather together with both sides of our family to give thanks for each other and for the "harvest" or food that we have been blessed with.  This has roots in times when most people grew their own crops.  My family enjoys working together to prepare a meal for our extended family.  The meal typically consists of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, & pumpkin pie.

# data[].attributes.body
My family and I are currently living in Germany. It's been a lot of fun learning about their celebrations and my favorite is St. Martin's Day. St. Martin's Day is on November 11 and it is a remembrance of a man named Martin who, a long time ago, was riding his horse in a snowstorm and came across a beggar who was lying in the cold.  Martin stopped his horse, cut his cloak in half and gave it to the beggar man so that he would not freeze. School children build lanterns and then each school or town gathers at night on St. Martin's Day.   The celebration starts with a parade and often there is a small band and a person riding a horse acting the part of St. Martin. The families follow behind the horse carrying the lanterns and singing songs. The parade ends with a big bonfire at the school or town center where they celebrate by eating big sweet yeasty pretzels, called brezel, that hang around your neck on a string and drinking warm cider.

# data[].attributes.body
Some people in the United States celebrate St. Nicholas day but here in Germany it is celebrated by everyone. On the night of December 5, kids will clean a pair of their shoes and put them outside their front door.  During the night, St. Nikolaus will come and leave small gifts and sweets but only if the children have been good.  If you've been bad, you'll receive sticks or coal in your shoe.  This is our first year to be in Germany for St. Nikolaus day and we are really excited to see what St. Nikolaus brings.

# data[].attributes.body
In the Netherlands, they celebrate Sinterklaas on December 5. Sinterklaas arrives from Spain on a steamboat and then rides through towns on his White Horse named Americo. The Zwarte Piets are his helpers and like to do acrobatic tricks. Children put out wooden shoes with carrots and hay for the White Horse. Sinterklaas leaves presents for children and Zwarte Piet gives yummy gingerbread cookies called Kriednooten. Children also receive chocolate letters for the first letter of their name. Most families write funny little poems to give along with presents.

# data[].attributes.body
We celebrate Christmas because we believe Jesus is our Lord and Savior. We put up a Christmas tree and decorate it with ornaments. We visit Santa and take a picture every year.

# data[].attributes.body
On December 13, it's St. Lucia Day in Sweden. The eldest daughter in a family serves the rest of the family breakfast while wearing a crown of greenery. Children receive gifts from Jul-Tomten if they have been good. If they have been naughty, a straw goat named Jul-Boken will kick them. Ouch

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Hadley. We celebrate Christmas by decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments. We put our stockings by fireplace and we leave out milk and cookies for Santa. We also celebrate Christmas because it is Jesus' Birthday.

# data[].attributes.body
Muslims celebrate Eid el adha or festival of sacrifice which happens during the pilgrimage season.Eid el Fotr or festival of fast-breaking which marks the end of Ramadan the fasting month.

# data[].attributes.headline
Christmas - Japan, Alabama, North Carolina

# data[].attributes.subject
Christmas - Japan, Alabama, North Carolina

# data[].attributes.body
We go to my Grandma's house in Alabama to celebrate Christmas.  We decorate a little Christmas tree.  I like to make Christmas crafts.  I hang my stockings by the chimney.  On Christmas day they get presents in them.  One year there was a HUGE cane with Hershey Kisses in it.

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Isaiah and we celebrate Christmas. Every year we go to our Grandma's right after Christmas and then we go to Connecticut. Our family gives each other presents. We decorate a Christmas tree and we put a stocking up

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Tucker. My tradition box is in the shape of a gingerbread house because we make one each year. We also decorate a Christmas tree. An elf named Elfie Helkie comes to our house. On Christmas Eve we read read the Book of Mormon and the Bible about the birth of Jesus.

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.treehugger.com/culture/icelanders-give-books-christmas-eve.html

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Emmaline. I decorate my Christmas tree and I go to visit Santa. I put lights around my house and bushes outside. I like to watch Frosty the Sowman with my brother.

# data[].attributes.body
Shalom Y'all, my name is Jody and I live in The Villages, which is in Central Florida...about an hour away from Disney World.
My family is getting excited to celebrate Hanukkah. This year Hanukkah begins at sunset on December 24. Hanukkah lasts for 8 nights. Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights. It celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem  and the miracle that the Eternal Light stayed lit for 8 days when there was only enough oil to last one day. Each night we light a candle. By the end of the 8 days, the entire menorah, candle holder, is lit. It is a beautiful sight.
One of our favorite foods we eat are latkes which are potato pancakes fried in oil and served with cinnamon sugar, applesauce and sometimes sour cream. Another favorite treat are jelly donuts. Those, too, are fried in oil.
When I was little, we played dreidel. We used gold wrapped chocolate coins when we played. The object was to win everyone's gold coins.
Whatever holiday you celebrate, have fun!

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/The-History-of-Hogmanay/

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Madeline. I like to read Christmas books and make holiday crafts. I like to wear my Santa hat. We decorate a Christmas tree. I even have one in my room

# data[].attributes.body
Luz
From: Mexico
2nd Grader in Mooresille

My name is Luz and my family celebrates Christmas. All of my family likes Christmas! Right after Thanksgiving, to get ready for Christmas, we make cookies that look like trees and stars. We decorate a Christmas tree with baby Jesus, candy canes, lights and I put food on the tree for Santa.  My favorite part is when my family and I put the big star, that grandma got, on the top of the tree.  We also put lights on the house and the bushes.  Inside we put lights everywhere! On Christmas day, we dance and have a Christmas tree piñata. Before I go to bed on Christmas Eve, I facetime my grandma and she reads me a Christmas book that I can watch on my tablet.  I leave Santa some carrots, cookies and milk and he brings me presents.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sharing a brief story of a holiday around the world.