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“Merry Christmas” in Icelandic is

"Gleðileg jól" !

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Some Orthodox Christian traditions in Russia mimic Christmas traditions in other parts of Eastern Europe. As is the custom in Poland, in Russia, people will cover their floors and tables in hay to represent baby Jesus's manger.

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Pouping their way through Christmas

Welcome to the bizarre Catalan tradition of caga tió or ‘defecating log’.

Locals in Catalonia create a character out of a log, drawing a face on it and giving it a hat. Then they spend a fortnight ‘feeding’ it fruit, nuts and sweets.

On Christmas Eve, the entire family beats the log with sticks and sings a traditional song that translates to ‘if you don’t crap well, I’ll beat you with a stick’ until the log excretes all its treats. It’s hard to comprehend why this tradition hasn’t caught on elsewhere.

They also decorate their nativity scenes with small, pooping, ceramic caganers (figurines). Usually well-known characters, often drawn from that year’s news, the figurines always have their pants around their ankles

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Facing your Christmas demons

In Austria, St Nicholas has an evil counterpart called Krampus. He is the bad cop to St Nick’s good cop, a demon-like creature with one task: to punish bad children before Christmas.

People dressed in devil costumes roam the streets, carrying chains and a basket for abducting especially bad children and hauling them to hell. It’s certainly one way to keep the kids off the streets.

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Unique Traditions in Greece

Karavaki (Decorated Boat): Instead of a Christmas tree, many Greeks decorate a wooden boat, symbolizing their maritime heritage and honoring Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors.

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Kalanta (Christmas Carols): Children go door-to-door singing traditional Christmas songs called Kalanta, spreading joy and receiving treats in return.

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Twelve Dishes Feast: On Christmas Eve, families often prepare a meal featuring twelve different dishes, representing the apostles and symbolizing abundance and good fortune for the coming year.

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Kallikantzaroi (Christmas Goblins): In Greek folklore, mischievous goblins known as kallikantzaroi are believed to visit homes during the twelve days of Christmas, adding a playful element to the festivities.

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So far so good!!!

Thank you!

More difficult for those who want to do more...

1. Go to our Padlet and open your own post.

2. Think of a simple idea from your post that you can show in Scratch.

3. Open Scratch → Create.

4. Choose a background and one or two characters.

5. Make your character say or show something from your Padlet post.

6. Add a little movement or sound if you want.

7. Record it in a video and attach.

(I used Elinas post as an example)

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Christmas Cake, Not Turkey

Forget the traditional turkey, which is served in the West during this time of year, and instead adapt to the cultural difference of having a light, elaborately decorated, fresh sponge Christmas cake. Although it might sound really weird at first, if you buy one from a local bakery (like Paris Baguette or Tous les Jours) as the central festive food item in your celebrations, it will not disappoint you.

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Christmas in Russia (Russian: Рождество Христово, Rozhdestvo Khristovo), called Е́же по пло́ти Рождество Господа Бога и Спа́са нашего Иисуса Христа (Yezhe po ploti Rozhdestvo Gospoda Boga i Spasa nashego Yisusa Khrista) in the Russian Orthodox Church, is a holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on 25 December on the Julian calendar, which corresponds to 7 January on the Gregorian calendar (the calendar that is mostly used in Western society). It is considered a high holiday by the church, one of the 12 Great Feasts, and one of only four of which are preceded by a period of fasting. Traditional Russian Christmas festivities start on Christmas Eve, which is celebrated on 6 January [O.S. 24 December].

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Santa's Green Costume Twist

First up is all about Santa! So, before Coca Cola changed the costume's color, to the red Santa Claus we know and love today, his costume traditionally was green, and this tradition continues in Korea today!

Actually, Santa Claus is sometimes depicted wearing a green suit, and this variation, often called "Santa Haraboji" (Grandfather Santa), is a common sight in commercial decorations and media in Korea. He still brings gifts and cheer, but the slight color difference provides a unique, localized aesthetic to the classic figure, which we think is a great reflection on the past, while at the same time being open to embracing modern times.

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Dining with deceased relatives

During consoda, the traditional Christmas feast in Portugal, families sometimes set extra places at the dining table for deceased relatives.

It’s thought that the practice will ensure good fortunes for the household. In some areas crumbs are left on the hearth as well. And you thought feeding all your living relatives was hard enough

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AF-1203: Christmas Traditions in Portugal | Ancestral Findings Podcast

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Santa Claus (also known simply as Santa, or as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas or Kris Kringle) is a legendary figure [1] originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve.

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All over the world, Christmas celebrations reflect local culture and traditions. The festivities can be startlingly different from country to country, focusing on different aspects of the nativity story.

But whether you're celebrating Sheng Dan Jieh in China or awaiting Pere Noel in France, you're sharing in the wonder and magic of the Christmas season. In the following pages, we'll take a look at Christmas traditions in countries around the world, from Sweden to Australia, from England to China.

Christmas Traditions in Australia: In Australia, December 25 falls during summer vacation, so many of the country's Christmas festivities take place outdoors. The most popular event of the Christmas season is called Carols by Candlelight. People come together at night to light candles and sing Christmas carols outside. The stars shining above add to the sights and sounds of this wonderful outdoor concert.

Christmas Traditions in China: The small number of Christians in China call Christmas Sheng Dan Jieh, which means Holy Birth Festival. They decorate their homes with evergreens, posters, and bright paper chains. Families put up a Christmas tree called a "tree of light" and decorate it with beautiful lanterns, flowers and red paper chains that symbolize happiness. They cut out red pagodas to paste on the windows, and they light their houses with paper lanterns, too.

Christmas Traditions in England: It is cold, wet and foggy in England at Christmastime. The day before Christmas is very busy for families in England. They wrap presents, bake cookies, and hang stockings over the fireplace. Then everyone gathers around the tree as someone tells a classic holiday story, such as "A Christmas Carol." Children write a letter to Father Christmas with their wishes and toss their letter into the fire so their wishes can go up the chimney. After the children fall asleep on Christmas Eve, Father Christmas comes to visit.

Christmas Traditions in Ethiopia: Ethiopia follows the ancient Julian calendar, so Ethiopians celebrate Christmas on January 7. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church's celebration of Christ's birth is called Ganna. It is a day when families attend church. Everyone dresses in white. Most Ethiopians don a traditional shamma — a thin, white cotton wrap with brightly colored stripes across the ends. Twelve days after Ganna, on January 19, Ethiopians begin the three-day celebration called Timkat, which commemorates the baptism of Christ.

Christmas Traditions in France: Christmas celebrations France begin on December 5, which is St. Nicholas Eve, but Christmas Eve is the most special time in the French celebration of Christmas. Church bells ring and voices sing French carols called noels. On Christmas Day, families go to church and then enjoy an abundant feast of wonderful dishes, ending with the traditional buche de Noel, a rich buttercream-filled cake shaped and frosted to look like a yule log.

Christmas Traditions in Germany: German families prepare for Christmas throughout the cold December. Four Sundays before Christmas, they make an Advent wreath of fir or pine branches that has four colored candles. They light a candle on the wreath each Sunday, sing Christmas songs and eat Christmas cookies. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, homes are filled with the delightful smells of baking loaves of sweet bread, cakes filled with candied fruits, and spicy cookies called lebkuchen.

Christmas Traditions in Holland: Dutch children in Holland, or the Netherlands, eagerly await the arrival of Sinterklaas on St. Nicholas Day on December 6. Sinterklaas is a kindly bishop. He wears red robes and a tall, pointed mitre on his head. Sinterklaas travels by ship from Spain to Amsterdam's harbor every winter. He brings his white horse and a huge sack full of gifts for the children. Families celebrate St. Nicholas Eve at home with lots of good food, hot chocolate and a letterbanket, a "letter cake" made in the shape of the first letter of the family's last name.

Christmas Traditions in Italy: The Christmas season in Italy begins on the first Sunday of Advent, which is four Sundays before Christmas. Christmas fairs feature fireworks and bonfires along with holiday music. Families go to the Christmas markets to shop for gifts and new figures for the manger scene. Some families set up a Christmas tree and decorate it. Families set up their presepio, or manger scene, on the first day of the novena. They gather before the presepio each morning or evening of novena to light candles and pray.

Christmas Traditions in Mexico: The weather is warm and mild in Mexico during the Christmas season. Families shop for gifts, ornaments, and good things to eat in the market stalls, called puestos. They decorate their homes with lilies and evergreens. Family members cut intricate designs in brown paper bags to make lanterns, or farolitos. They place a candle inside and then set the farolitos along sidewalks, on windowsills, and on rooftops and outdoor walls to illuminate the community with the spirit of Christmas.

Christmas Traditions in Spain: The Christmas season begins in Spain on December 8, with a weeklong observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Evergreens decorate the churches and outdoor markets throughout the Christmas season. Tambourines, gourd rattles, castanets, and miniature guitars are offered for sale to enliven the singing and dancing in the streets. Children go from house to house reciting verses or singing carols for sweets, toys, or small instruments.

Christmas Traditions in Sweden: In Sweden, the Christmas festivities begin on December 13 with St. Lucia's Day, which celebrates the patron saint of light. The eldest daughter gets up before dawn and dresses as the "Queen of Light" in a long, white dress. She wears a crown of leaves. Singing "Santa Lucia," the Lucia Queen goes to every bedroom to serve coffee and treats to each member of the family. The younger children in the family help, too. The whole family helps to select the Christmas tree just a day or two before Christmas.

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While it makes some people gag, those who are in the pro-eggnog camp tend to be well in.

This creamy, spicy, thick beverage can be homemade or store-bought, and you would not be remiss in adding a dram of bourbon, Bailey’s Irish Cream, brandy, or dark rum.

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Dvfhjm

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My DREAM PLACE PARIS
Paris is the capital city of France with many sites to visit as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triompheor or, the most popular museum in the world, Louvro. There you can see is the real Mona Lisa. Also, I want to eat unusual food as tartar de boeuf and one of the most traditional dessert of Paris, makarons. There the food will be different from Greece. Also Paris is very bright at night so a walk there will be very beautiful. That's why I want to go to Paris and I think that it will be a different experience.

Theodosis Belias

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Miami
I want to go Miami because it has beautiful sea and I want to take a lot of pictures. If I can I want to go swimming. Also from what I have heard it is a nice place and I want to visit it.
My name is : Isidora

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I would  like to travel  to America  for some time  because I would love  to see a lot of people and I like the many big stores it has !!!
My name is : Theofania

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I would like to travel to New York for three days because has many shops. I also like that it has a lot of people and a lot off attractions!
Melina!

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My dream place is Santorini because I really like the landscapes there.
Iasonas.p =)

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I would like to travel to Mexico one day because I think that this country has very houge culture and I will have alot of things to see there. Also, I want to try the famous traditional spicy Mexican food. I like very much the spicy food, so I think that i would like and the Mexican food to. Moreover, my mum's best friend had travelled there and she said that it was a fantastic expirience! One more think that i want to gothere, is that Mexico has a lot of coulerful streets! That's why I thimk that it's a fantastic place!

Chris Karamitros

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i would like to go to Zakynthos. Is the third largest of the Ionian islands.The waters are blue. The beach of Navagio is the most famous beach  of Zakynthos.
by Bill Trifillis

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My Dream Place is London i want to go to London cause its a big city and i want to visit the Big Ben clock. I have so many things to do there. :)

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My Dream Place is London i want to go to London cause its a big city and i want to visit the Big Ben clock. I have so many things to do there. :)

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by Orion Politis

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My deam place is Hawai. Its a magnificent place

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My dream place is France, and more specifically Paris. I want to go there one day, for a lot of reasons. First of all, I want to see the Eifel Tower from near. I think, that the view will be breathtaking! Also, I will have a good chance to practice my French. Furthermore, I would like to visit  Louvre museum and the Lady of Paris. In adition, i would like to taste flavours from French cuisine. I have heard that their cuisine is awesome! Finally, Paris has got a lot of things to do and see, so I believe that this place is the ideal destination for vacations! I hope this wish comes true one day!!!

Phoebe Ftouli

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A place would like to visit is the city of Tokyo in Japan. Tokyo is one of the biggest city in the word which has 9 million people. Tokyo has one of the most famous attractions ( Tokyo Tower).  One place I want to visit in Tokyo is the market Yarakucho. My favourite thing in Tokyo is the night races who take part on the center of Tokyo!! I like it so much because at that races run Japanese cars for example Nissan Skyline R-34, Toyota Supra and more....Anyway Tokyo is a place who i want to visit one day.

George Nichoritis

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My dream place is Crete. My mother's origin is from there. She is from Thrapsano. Thrapsano is a very historical place, with many momuments. I want to visit my cottage there! I also want visit my granparents.  Of course the aquarium and Knosos. Another reason is the traditional food, such as "Ntakos",  "Snails", "Vrouvopitakia" etc.  I have seen a documantary about Crete and I was excited. I hope to visit Crete one day !

Vasilis Talaveridis

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Η Πρέβελη, με τα απίστευτα νερά της, τα δέντρα που της παρέχουν απλόχερα φυσική σκιά, και το ποταμάκι με το φαράγγι του που καταλήγει στην παραλία, διεκδικεί επάξια την πρώτη θέση στη μεγάλη λίστα με τις καλύτερες παραλίες του νησιού. Τα σκαλιά για να φτάσετε ως εδώ είναι πολλά (ελάτε αργά, για να μείνετε ως το βραδάκι, και να μην τα ανεβείτε με τον ήλιο στην πλάτη) αλλά αξίζουν με το παραπάνω τον κόπο.

Στο Ρέθυμνο, ο Κήπος του Αλή Βαφή είναι ένα από τα πιο κουλ στέκια όλης της Ελλάδας: Η αυλή του αρχοντικού ενός οθωμανού εμπόρου έχει μετατραπεί σε καφέ-μπαρ-ρακο-μεζεδοπωλείο, με ντιβάνια, καναπέδες, πολυθρόνες, αιώρες, φαναράκια κρεμασμένα στα δέντρα της και τραπεζάκια που φορτώνονται με σούπερ παγωμένα ρακόμελα και μεζεδάκια σαν τον ντάκο και το απάκι με δεντρολίβανο.

Αν δεν φας χειροποίητο παγωτό μαρσμάλοου από τον Ζουριδάκη στα Μάταλα, δεν φεύγεις από την Κρήτη. Τέλος.

Να δοκιμάσεις και τα κρασιά του Ζαχαριουδάκη. Θα μας θυμηθείς.

Αν βρεθείς στα πέριξ του Πλακιά, να ανέβεις την πλαγιά ως το χωριουδάκι που λέγεται Μύρθιος, για να πιάσεις τραπέζι για σούπερ μαγειρευτά με φανταστική θέα στο ηλιοβασίλεμα, στην μπαλκονάρα της Πλατείας, που μοιάζει να αιωρείται ανάμεσα σε ουρανό και θάλασσα.

Αν τα 13 χιλιόμετρα της Σαμαριάς σου πέφτουν βαριά -έχεις τα δίκια σου- έχει κι άλλες φανταστικές διαδρομές για αρχάριους και προχωρημένους πεζοπόρους. Δες τις εδώ ταξινομημένες ανά βαθμό δυσκολίας, διάρκεια και (σημαντικότατο) ύπαρξη ή ανυπαρξία σκιάς.

Ακόμα και αν μένεις επιεικώς ασυγκίνητος μπροστά στους υπόλοιπους αρχαιολογικούς χώρους, στην Κνωσό αξίζει να πας -και να της αφιερώσεις τουλάχιστον δύο ώρες για να δεις τα βασικά. Είναι μεγαλειώδης, είναι φαντασμαγορική, είναι όλα αυτά που βλέπαμε στα πρώτα βιβλία Ιστορίας του Δημοτικού, και είναι πολύ παλιότερη απ' ό,τι μπορείς να φανταστείς (χίλια χρόνια αρχαιότερη από την αρχαία Αθήνα, ας πούμε).

Μια από τις ερημικότερες παραλίες της Νότιας Κρήτης, το μαγικό Αγιοφάραγγο βρίσκεται στο τέλος του ομώνυμου φαραγγιού που το διασχίζεις σε μία-μιάμιση ώρα. Λεπτομέρειες για τη διαδρομή θα βρεις εδώ.

Στα Χανιά, τα καλύτερα ίσως κοκτέιλ τα φτιάχνει το Boheme. Τα σερβίρει, δε, σε μια μυστική, δροσερή και πολύχρωμη αυλίτσα, ό,τι πρέπει για να ξεφύγετε από τα πλήθη και να ξεκινήσετε να πίνετε από το απόγευμα.

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10 μικρά μυστικά για όσους πάνε Κρήτη

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Η Πρέβελη, με τα απίστευτα νερά της, τα δέντρα που της παρέχουν απλόχερα φυσική σκιά, και το ποταμάκι με το φαράγγι του που καταλήγει στην παραλία, διεκδικεί επάξια την πρώτη θέση στη μεγάλη λίστα με τις καλύτερες παραλίες του νησιού.

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because it has impressive beaches and it has a lot of palm trees!!!!!!!
Stavros Bourdoukis

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I would like to be on holiday-SOMEWHERE IN AMERICA

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My dream place is Hawai. It's a magnificent place. My friend Christen lives there. She also sends me a lot of letters and she describes me, what she does there.Every day, she tells me that she goes swimming in the beautiful turquoise waters, and I get jealous. So that's why I really want to go!!!

Christianna Paliyanni

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My dream place is Stockholm. It΄s a beautiful country. Ι would like to visit it because it has many attractions. I would also like to try local dishes.

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My dream place is Stockholm. It΄s a beautiful country. Ι would like to visit it because it has many attractions. I would also like to try local dishes.