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December 24, or Christmas Eve, is known as Julafton in Swedish. Christmas Eve is the main day that Swedes celebrate Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Swedish locals form processions to the church with lit candles. ... A popular Christmas tradition in Sweden is to serve risgryngrot, a special rice porridge with one almond in it.

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Mateo Labrada

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Agencia de viajes en Granada. Especialistas en circuitos en autobús por España y Europa. Viajes a Egipto propios y viajes a medida

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maite
Christmas is observed on 25 December each year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. In Australia, it was introduced as a result of British settlement in 1788 as the cultural norms were transferred to the new colonies. Australia is located in the Southern hemisphere.

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In the villages of Polar Inuits, families like to visit each other and have parties. They drink coffee and eat cakes and exchange brightly wrapped parcels. Traditional presents are model sledges, a pairs of polished walrus tusks, or sealskin mitts.
Jose David Espinoza Quintero

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In the villages of Polar Inuits, families like to visit each other and have parties. They drink coffee and eat cakes and exchange brightly wrapped parcels. Traditional presents are model sledges, a pairs of polished walrus tusks, or sealskin mitts. Everyone in the village gets a gift and children go from house to house, singing songs.

On Christmas Eve, Church Services are held and most people go to them, many in national costume. Some men wear the white anoraks which are worn on special occasions.

Christmas Trees have to be imported, because no trees grow as far north as Greenland. The trees are often imported from Denmark - Greenland has had a long historical connection with Denmark. The trees are decorated with candles, bright ornaments and sometimes small versions of sealskin breeches known as kamiks. Trees are traditionally decorated on the evening of 23rd December. People who don't use an imported tree, might have a traditional driftwood tree decorated with heather.

Another traditional and popular decoration is to put an illuminated star in windows. There are stars in most homes and in all public buildings. Because Greenland is so far north, and within the Arctic Circle, during the winter the sun never rises! (You might get a brief glimpse over the southern mountains, but that's it!) So the stars help to bring some light. The tradition of hanging stars came with Christian missionaries from the Moravian church. The stars are sometimes called 'poinsettia stars' as they look a bit like poinsettia flowers.

Villages also put a large Christmas Tree on a nearby hill, so everyone can see it. These trees are put up and decorated ready for the start of Advent.

St Lucia's day (December 13th) is also celebrated in Greenland.

There are some rather unusual foods eaten at Christmas time in Greenland. 'Mattak' is whale skin with a strip of blubber inside. It is supposed to taste like fresh coconut, but is often too tough to chew and is usually swallowed. Another Christmas food is 'kiviak'. This is the raw flesh of little auks (a type of arctic bird) which have been buried whole in sealskin for several months until they have reached an advanced stage of decomposition! Although it sounds strange, it is a delicacy in Greenland.

Other popular foods in Greenland include 'suaasat' which is a soup/stew, barbecued caribou/reindeer, lamb, razorbill, ptarmigan and fish either as raw sushi or cooked. Popular deserts are berries and apples with a crisp Topping and special Christmas porridge that's served with butter and topped with sugar and cinniamon. Lots of Danish pastries and Christmas cookies are also eaten!

It is traditional on Christmas night that the men look after the women, serving their food and coffee and stirring the meal for them. Games follow the Christmas meal, including one in which an object is passed from hand to hand round a long table under the cloth. It is supposed to be repulsive: round, clammy and rough in texture; such as a frozen egg, wrapped in strips of wet fox fur!

Like in Finland and other nordic countries, lighting candles in cemeteries is sometimes done on Christmas Eve to remember family and friends.

In Greenland there are two main languages spoken, Inuit/Greenlandic and Danish. In Greenlandic, Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Juullimi Pilluarit'; in Danish it is 'Glædelig Jul'. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

Greenland also claims to be the place where Santa Claus lives or at least goes for his summer holidays! He is said to have a home in the north of the country in Spraglebugten, near the town of Uummannaq!

A large post box in the town on Nuuk, via Wikimedia Commons

New Year's Eve is celebrated twice in Greenland! At 8.00pm, they celebrate that the new year has reached Denmark and at midnight it's the new year in Greenland! At both celebrations, people like to let off lots of fireworks and rockets!

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Christmas in Greenland on whychristmas?com

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In the villages of Polar Inuits, families like to visit each other and have parties. They drink coffee and eat cakes and exchange brightly wrapped parcels. Traditional presents are model sledges, a pairs of polished walrus tusks, or sealskin mitts. Everyone in the village gets a gift and children go from house to house, singing songs.

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Rio de Janeiro, Río de Janeiro - Estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil

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Rio de Janeiro, Río de Janeiro - Estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil

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Rio de Janeiro, Río de Janeiro - Estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil

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Jesús Eduardo Cureño Rodríguez 62-05

¿Cómo se celebra la Navidad en Brasil?

La cultura brasileña está compuesta por diversidad de minorías étnicas y por una fuerte influencia europea, debido a su pasado como colonia portuguesa, que conforman las tradiciones navideñas del país. Tanto en las ciudades pequeñas de Brasil como en las grandes, las celebraciones son parecidas a las de Europa y América del Norte.    A pesar de las altas temperaturas que se pueden alcanzar en diciembre, no faltan las clásicas decoraciones navideñas. Desde Boa Vista hasta Porto Alegre, ...

Leer más: https://www.notimerica.com/sociedad/noticia-celebra-navidad-brasil-20161221091314.html

(c) 2020 Europa Press. Está expresamente prohibida la redistribución y la redifusión de este contenido sin su previo y expreso consentimiento.

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Being a very strict Muslim country, Christmas isn't celebrated in Afghanistan. In some areas, converting to Shia Islam or any other religion, including Christianity, will (not can, but will) get you killed.The soldiers over here celebrate it very quietly as not to upset the local villagers and the Afghan security forces are tolerant of us observing our tradition as long as we keep a mutual respect for theirs. The various criminal elements we call the "Taliban" make it a point to attack us Christmas day, though we try to stop operations during Eid (both of them) unless there's an immediate danger to our forces.

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How is Christmas celebrated in Afghanistan?

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Answer (1 of 2): Being a very strict Muslim country, Christmas isn't celebrated in Afghanistan. In some areas, converting to Shia Islam or any other religion, including Christianity, will (not can, but will) get you killed. The soldiers over here celebrate it very quietly as not to upset the loc...

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Con un desfile por las calles de Calcuta, la India recibió también las celebraciones de la nochebuena y la Navidad en un clima de tolerancia religiosa y personal.

La Navidad es festejada por las comunidades cristianas en La India, pero és la figura de Papá Noel la que finalmente se impone, como en todo el mundo.

En este país multirreligioso y multiétnico domina el festival de Diwali, el más importante de los hindúes, que se celebra con tanto vigor y entusiasmo como la festividad navideña.

Diwali conmemora la vuelta del dios Ram a su reino de Ayodhya tras catorce años en el exilio, durante los que, como hecho más señalado, vence al rey diablo de Lanka (la Sri Lanka actual).

La fiesta es también conocido como el festival de las luces ya que todas las casas se iluminan con luces artificiales, lámparas y velas. Durante el festival existe también la costumbre de intercambiar regalos con los parientes, amigos, vecinos y conocidos.

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the tradition is tha gifts for children come out of a log.
Diego Serrano Panameño

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Christmas
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In my family in America Christmas is celebrated for the most part on the eve of Christmas. I think this tradition mostly began because my father was too impatient to wait for Christmas day. My father loved Christmas - I think it was a holiday he anticipated for months before the actual day. He truly had the holiday spirit. As a child I remember that we always opened our gifts at night and often times we had guests, but not always. On Christmas day we usually went to my grandmother's house.

When I was twelve we moved to Florida and slowly our tradition changed. Many people moved to Florida as we did, or pensioners retired to the warm climate of Florida leaving their grown children and other family members in the north. This separation from family is most noticed on holidays. My immediate family was in Florida but my cousins, aunts, uncles and the rest lived far away - too far away to celebrate with us. My parents began to invite people who were alone to join us on Christmas Eve. It became a festive event and no one felt left alone. My parents didn't invite just Christians, they invited people of all faiths and nationalities. The house was full of guests. Together we celebrated this special day.

In Libya Christmas is also celebrated, but not by Libyans themselves. Libya of course is a Muslim country but there are many Christians who live and work here. It's a regular working day for most companies. Even though it is a low-key event, there is still some evidence of the holiday.

I was invited to celebrate Christmas Eve with some friends. Of course I wanted to buy a gift and stopped in a gift shop that is near my home. The windows were open but the door was locked. As I turned to leave a boy who was standing nearby said 'Oh, they are open. You have to knock.' and he reached over and rapped on the door. It was opened by the shopkeeper who apologized to me saying that he'd had to lock the door because he was selling Christmas themed ornaments, decorations and gifts, and that was against the law.

Apparently, there has been a crackdown on non-Muslim holidays in the country. The fear that Libyans would begin celebrating Valentine's Day and Christmas has caused them to pass some kind of rules, or laws that shops are not allowed to sell anything related to these holidays. But they are forgetting that non-Libyans make up a great proportion of the population of the country. Shouldn't they be allowed to buy things related to their holidays? And what about people like me who want to buy something for a friend or colleague who celebrates? Especially that they were so kind to me for my holidays, Eid and the month of Ramadan. So sadly people resort to having to be sneaky.

With gifts in hand, my daughter Nora and I arrived at the address of my friend just as others were arriving. We spent a lovely evening with a group of people from many different nationalities and faiths all having come together to help our friend celebrate a holiday that was so dear. Many of the guests were here working in Libya. One woman found herself in Libya for a two week business trip and was invited so she wouldn't have to spend the holiday alone. I was truly honored to be a guest. It reminded me of how the day is celebrated by my family back home.

The house was decorated, candles lit, the story of the birth of Jesus was read and Christmas songs played on the stereo. Good food, company and conversation were shared by the guests. We all left shortly before midnight as many of the guests were heading toward Aldahara to hear the church bells. For the last two years the church in Aldahara has been given permission by the government to be allowed to ring their bells at midnight on Christmas Eve. They are also allowed to ring them on Easter. So twice a year the bells can be heard in Tripoli.

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In my family in America Christmas is celebrated for the most part on the eve of Christmas. I think this tradition mostly began because my father was too impatient to wait for Christmas day. My father loved Christmas - I think it was a holiday he anticipated for months before the actual day.

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Today most Swedes celebrate Christmas in roughly the same way, and many of the local customs and specialties have disappeared, but every family wants to claim that they are celebrating their own authentic Christmas.

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Se han comprado todos los regalos de Navidad en las aglomeraciones de los grandes almacenes, se ha comprado la comida y se ha hecho una limpieza a fondo del hogar, que ahora se adorna según las tradiciones propias de cada familia.

La Navidad es la gran fiesta familiar, así que siempre hay un tira y afloja para saber en casa de quién se va a celebrar precisamente este año. Suecia es un país alargado, por lo que los viajes pueden ser más bien largos para muchas personas que, en Navidad, se vayan a reunir con la familia. Las plazas de tren o de avión se tienen que reservar por lo menos un par de meses antes, y si uno se desplaza en automóvil, no está de más iniciar el viaje con buen margen de tiempo.

Modernización de Navidad

La Navidad sueca es una ensalada de costumbres nacionales y extranjeras, aunque reinterpretadas, refinadas y comercializadas en su largo camino desde la sociedad agraria hasta los tiempos modernos.

En la actualidad, la mayoría de los suecos celebran la Navidad aproximadamente de la misma forma, y muchas de las costumbres y especialidades locales han desaparecido, pero cada familia quiere hacer valer que celebra una Navidad propia y auténtica.

Los manjares que se comen, pueden aún variar según la zona del país donde se viva o de donde se proceda, aunque también en ese aspecto se ha producido una homogeneización, debido en gran parte a la oferta homogénea de productos semiacabados que hacen los grandes almacenes. Pocos son los que tienen tiempo para salar el jamón navideño y para embuchar ellos mismos las salchichas de carne de cerdo cocida.

La película del gran director de cine Ingmar Bergman, "Fanny y Alexander", galardonada con el Óscar, si bien es cierto que se desarrolla hacia comienzos del siglo XX, cabe también decir que resume asimismo la Navidad moderna sueca: una festividad de luz y de vida, llena de abundancia, buena comida y alegría, pero también una época del año en que los secretos familiares tienden a salir a la luz.

Fiestas de Navidad

El periodo de vacación navideña en Suecia es relativamente largo y abarca por lo regular hasta una semana ya entrado el mes de enero. Una vez pasada la Nochebuena, se inician una serie de visitas agradables -o para algunos más de carácter obligatorio- a familiares y amigos.

El sueco recorre muchas decenas de kilómetros durante las fiestas navideñas. El día de Navidad en casa de los Olsson, al día siguiente en casa de los Persson y, después, una semana en la sierra con los Svensson.

Es posible que, ahora, sea más difícil que nunca celebrar la Navidad. Resulta un tanto complicado incorporar las constelaciones familiares actuales, compuestas por ex mujeres y ex maridos, hijos de matrimonios nuevos y viejos, parientes por matrimonio y suegras/suegros, en aquello a lo que los suecos celebrantes de la célula familiar preferirían dedicarse. Por si no fuera poca ya la presión que antes se sentía para lograr la Navidad perfecta.

Grandes esperanzas

Por lo general, los suecos abrigan grandes esperanzas respecto a la celebración de las fiestas navideñas. Así, por ejemplo, debe haber nieve pero no debe estar nevando, todos los miembros de la familia deben estar sanos, el jamón navideño debe estar jugoso y tener buen sabor, los regalos deben ser muchos, los hijos deben quedar satisfechos y portarse bien, y el hogar debe ofrecer un ambiente cálido y luminoso.

Para ello, todos ponen su mejor granito de arena, y es posible que los suecos tengan unas condiciones especialmente buenas para ello. Las numerosas velas contrastan bien con la oscuridad invernal, las casitas rojas resaltan más bellamente enmarcadas en la blanca nieve, y los abetos se yerguen oscuros y graves en las lindes del bosque. El gnomo se esconde a la vuelta de la esquina y la estrella polar palpita en la bóveda celeste nocturna.

¿El árbol de Navidad perfecto?

Un día antes de la Nochebuena, el sueco se echa a la calle para tratar de encontrar el árbol de Navidad perfecto en algún punto de venta. Esa es una tarea muy seria: el abeto es el símbolo mismo de Navidad, y tiene que ser un ejemplar homogéneamente tupido y recto.

Los habitantes de las ciudades compran el abeto en la plaza, mientras que los que viven en el campo, lo cortan personalmente en sus propias tierras. Muchos creen que, según el derecho consuetudinario de acceso libre a la naturaleza, pueden ir a cortar un abeto en cualquier bosque, pero la cosa no es precisamente así. El abeto es abatido con un hacha, una sierra o -como en la zona occidental de la región de Värmland, junto a la frontera con Noruega- con escopeta. Pero no es recomendable.

La tradición familiar determina la forma de adornar el abeto. Algunas familias lo visten con banderas; otras, con espumillones y bolas de distintos colores. La mayoría utiliza iluminación eléctrica, para evitar el riesgo de incendio.

El hogar en sí se adorna también con tapices con motivos que representan gnomos y paisajes invernales, manteles con dibujos navideños, candelabros, gnomos y angelitos. Además, la presencia de los jacintos envuelve con su fuerte fragancia el ambiente de las habitaciones.

A las tres de la tarde, toda Suecia está pendiente de la tele. A esa hora comienza una cabalgata de viejos filmes de Disney que se reponen desde la década de 1960, pero de los que, a pesar de todo, ningún sueco parece cansarse. Sólo después puede comenzar la celebración.

Comida en abundancia

Los aguinaldos están ya colocados bajo el árbol iluminado, las velas lucen por todas partes y en la mesa está ya puesto el bufé smörgåsbord con todos los platos clásicos: jamón navideño, salchichas de carne de cerdo cocida, gubbröra (revuelto de anchoa, cebolla y huevo cocido duro, entre otras cosas), ensalada de arenque, arenques marinados, paté de hígado casero, vörtbröd (pan hecho con mosto de cerveza), patatas y lutfisk. El jamón debe cocerse primero y, después, asarse a la parrilla una vez recubierto con una mezcla de huevo, pan rallado y mostaza. El lutfisk es bacalao seco macerado en agua y sosa hasta que hinche.

Cuando todos han comido hasta quedar satisfechos, llega el gnomo en persona para desear a los presentes una Feliz Navidad.

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Se han comprado todos los regalos de Navidad en las aglomeraciones de los grandes almacenes, se ha comprado la comida y se ha hecho una limpieza a fondo del hogar, que ahora se adorna según las tradiciones propias de cada familia.

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Christmas in Kazakhstan is almost always snowy, as it snows for around four months of the year during the winter. About 70% of people in Kazakhstan are Muslims, so Christmas isn't a big holiday. Most of the Christians in Kazakhstan belong to Orthodox churches, so they celebrate Christmas on January 7th, rather than on December 25th.

For Orthodox christians Advent lasts for 40 days, and some people won't eat any meat during this time. Advent ends when you can see the first star in the night sky on January 6th; this symbolises the birth of Jesus and then the main Christmas meal can start. After the meal, many Orthodox christians will go to a midnight church service.

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La navidad en Filipinas se empieza a partir del 16 de diciembre al ser un país mayormente catolico l gente va a la iglesia a escuchar la misa llamada la misa de gallo a las 4 de la mañana.

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Christian churches in Mongolia have a service or celebratory concert in the evening. Even Mongolians do not celebrate Christmas, they celebrate New Year with a “New Year's Tree” (Christmas trees) and have lots of parties. There is no recognition of Christ. SOFIA ELENA

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You may wonder that Mongolian people celebrate Christmas as it is officially a Buddhist nation. But, there were 41,117 Christians, according to the 2010 National Census (age of 15 and older) or 2.1% of total population. Christian churches in Mongolia have a service or celebratory concert in the evening.

Even Mongolians do not celebrate Christmas, they celebrate New Year with a "New Year's Tree" (Christmas trees) and have lots of parties. There is no recognition of Christ.

Like for most countries, the first day of New Year is a day off in Mongolia, giving opportunities for most people to celebrate between families and friends. If the January 01 is during a weekend, it is then agreed to have a day off during the closest week!

Mongolians Celebrate the New Year

Mongolians celebrate the New Year in night clubs and bars, which are more and more offering special events or dinners accordingly or at home with their families, friends or colleagues. Mongolians celebrate the New Year the whole week before December 31. Most Mongolians do not celebrate Christmas but "Grandpa of Winter" usually makes an appearance at New Year parties, and Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, are up everywhere. At big parties there is always some kind of program, a lot of awards are given out, a lot of singing and dancing. "Grandpa of Winter" makes an appearance at parties and distributes gifts. New Year's parties do not happen on New Year's Eve, December 31. They all happen before December 31. On the thirty-first, Mongolians celebrate the New Year with their families, at home.

6 Reasons Christmas is different in Mongolia

For those who wait Christmas all year round, spending Christmas far from home and experiencing completely different holiday from what you used to do, will be definitely adventurous and must have one- lifetime memory. Mongolians have adopted Russian New Year and recently adding Christmas and celebrating it its own special way. Christmas is considered like religion holiday or more of the commercial event for the young generation to celebrate for fun. Here are 6 reasons why Christmas is different in Mongolia.

1. Christmas Turkey & Mongolian Dumpling

Christmas can't be without Turkey and ham, but if you are in Mongolia during Christmas or December, Mongolian traditional dumpling 'Buuz' will be served as the main dish with several kinds of salads.

2.Christmas is not an official holiday

Unlike the western style of Christmas day, you will see that all the schools, businesses and stores are open on this day just like as they would on any other day of the year. For whom had grown up with memories of a traditional Christmas, it will be a quite odd experience.

3.Christmas Presents only for children

In Mongolia, you don't have to prepare Christmas gifts for others. Most Mongolians only buy gifts for kids and recent years many youths, companies, and a group of social media groups arrange helping and surprising volunteer events for poor family kids, orphan centers and special care needed families during Christmas day or in December. Many people choose warm clothes', children's books and more healthy things for their kids' gifts instead of sweets and candies. However if you are invited to someone's home in December, don't forget to bring some cake and champagne which is considered the most accurate and perfect holiday gifts.

4.Decorated cake & homemade pie

Every family around Mongolia enjoy special New Year cake and eating and sharing the cake together has already become a family tradition in Mongolia. Bakeries like Jur Ur, Wendy, Mon and other bakeries around the country work for busy selling cakes decorated with Christmas tree, Santa and new- year greeting words. It is unlike usual homemade pies of America.

5.Only Christians celebrate Christmas Eve

Only places you feel the true meaning of this holiday and can hear Christmas gospel songs translated into Mongolian is maybe Christian churches. You will meet these churches in your neighborhood because there are almost more than 200 churches in Ulaanbaatar city.

6.Santa Clause& Mongol Winter Grandpa

Mongolians have their own "Santa Claus", which is called "Grandpa of Winter"/ Өвлийн өвгөн. Mongolian first "Grandpa of Winter", in 1947. The "Grandpa of Winter" comes every year, in December, with gifts for children and outstanding workers and students of the Year.

Some Interesting facts about the celebration in Mongolia

1. The first celebration of New Year in Mongolia

Since the 1930's when Russian or Soviet and Western Culture started to became familiar with our country, Mongolians started to celebrate the New Year. It is noted that Mongolian famous poet and writer D.Natsagdorj celebrated New Year with his fellows in 1931, the first time in Mongolia.

2. Most famous New Year Song

The most known Mongolian song of New Year is "The Song of New Year Tree Festival" was composed in 1959. Mongolians still love this song. You can hear this song everywhere in Mongolia, in December.

3. Opening Champagne/ sparkling wine when the countdown, the New Year's Eve

Celebrations start the December 31, with a dinner mostly served late in the evening. You can always find different sorts of salads, Mongolian steamed dumplings/ buuz, some cakes, and Champagne to accompany these meals... A traditional speech of the Mongolian President is seen live on TV, 5 minutes before the countdown starts. All achievements by the government of the year are listed and a toast of milk (in the past a few years) is raised by the President in his traditional Mongolian bowl, made of silver and copper. But, this year, a new President was elected, we are not sure if he follows the traditional toast of milk, as last President used to or with Champagne. 10 seconds later, every family is opening the Champagne as they enter into the New Year.

4. New Year tree, decorated with Tugriks/ Mongolian currency

In Mongolia, most parents have this tradition of decorating the New Year's tree for their children, resembling as the Christmas tree. The guests who are visiting the family the January 01, can hang some bills of Tugriks on the tree for the children. Of course, if several children are part of the family, then the money is shared equally. The tree became a symbol of prosperity and wealth for families that proudly display it at home, and a great way for the children to make some money during the winter!

5. Firework at the main square of Ulaanbaatar

If you have a chance to be in Ulaanbaatar during this period, you can experience a wonderful moment at the Sukhbaatar square, to see concerts and performances as well as a great firework, organized by the Administration of City Council. The firework is the main event of the night after the count down.

If you are planning to travel Mongolia in December or near around Christmas time in our beautiful country, we will always be glad to be your Christmas guide in Mongolia.

December just makes Mongolians' happy and it is the most wonderful time of the year. Seeing the streets and malls which is already festooned with holiday finery makes more cheerful moods than normal.

Christmas Day be filled with love, laugh and beautiful memories

From Ayan Travel to all of you, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

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How Mongolian people celebrate Christmas?

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Mongolians celebrate the New Year the whole week before December 31. Most Mongolians do not celebrate Christmas but "Grandpa of Winter" usually makes an appearance at New Year parties, and Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, are up everywhere.

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Christmas Boats and Trees.

Children Sing Kalanta.

Cookies Become Their Own Food Group.

Gifts Aren't Exchanged on Christmas.

Kallikantzari Tease Villages.

Jose David Espinoza Quintero

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Christmas in Greece can look a little different. Here are five common traditions practiced in Greece throughout the holiday season!

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Turkey is a muslim country and turkish people do not celebrate crhistmas

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Houses and churches are often decorated with colorful balloons, ribbons, paper decorations, flowers and green leaves. For a Christmas Tree, some people will have a Cyprus tree. In cities and large towns, stores can have fake snow outside them! And there might be a Santa in the stores as well.

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Find out how Christmas is celebrated in Kenya.

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PALOMA TREJO

1 The day before Christmas people wrap presents, bake cookies, and hang stockins over the fireplace.
2 Adults tell Christmas stories.
Children write Christmas wishes.
3 The family eats turkey with chestnut stuffing.

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Advertisement

It is cold, wet, and foggy in England at Christmastime. Families welcome the warmth and cheer of a Yule log blazing on the hearth. They decorate their homes with holly, ivy, and other evergreens and hang a mistletoe "kissing bough."

Throughout the holidays, carolers go from house to house at twilight ringing handbells and singing Christmas songs. "The Holly and the Ivy" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" are English favorites. People give the carolers treats, such as little pies filled with nuts and dried fruits.

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 the favorite story, "A Christmas Carol."

After hearing their favorite Christmas story, children write a letter to Father Christmas with their wishes. They 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. He wears a long, red robe, carries a sack of toys, and arrives on his sleigh pulled by reindeer. He fills the children's stockings with candies and small toys.

On Christmas Day, everyone sits down to the midday feast and finds a colorful Christmas cracker beside their dinner plate. A Christmas cracker is a paper-covered tube. When the end tabs are pulled, there is a loud crack. Out spills a paper hat to wear at dinner, small trinkets, and a riddle to read aloud to everyone at the table.

The family enjoys a feast of turkey with chestnut stuffing, roast goose with currants, or roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Brussels sprouts are likely to be the vegetables. Best of all is the plum pudding topped with a sprig of holly. Brandy is poured over the plum pudding and set aflame. Then family members enjoy a dramatic show as it is carried into the dining room. Whoever finds the silver charm baked in their serving has good luck the following year. The wassail bowl, brimming with hot, spiced wine, tops off the day's feast. It is said that all quarrels stop when people drink wassail.

After dinner, the family gathers in the living room to listen to the Queen of England deliver a message over radio and television. At teatime in the late afternoon, the beautifully decorated Christmas cake is served.

The day after Christmas is called Boxing Day. This day has nothing to do with fighting. Long ago, people filled church alms boxes with donations for the poor. Then on December 26, the boxes were distributed. Now people often use this day to give small gifts of money to the mail carrier, news vendor, and others who have helped them during the year.

Beginning on Boxing Day, families can enjoy stage performances called pantomimes. This activity originally meant a play without words, or actors who mimed or entertained without speaking. Pantomime now refers to all kinds of plays performed during the Christmas season. Such familiar children's stories as "Cinderella" and "Peter Pan" delight young and old alike. In some towns, masked and costumed performers called mummers present plays or sing carols in the streets.

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Advertisement It is cold, wet, and foggy in England at Christmastime. Families welcome the warmth and cheer of a Yule log blazing on the hearth. They decorate their homes with holly, ivy, and other evergreens and hang a mistletoe "kissing bough." Throughout the holidays, carolers go from house to house at twilight ringing handbells and singing Christmas songs.