Christmas Around the WORLD
Christmas Flower Legend
There is a traditional Mexican legend surrounding the Poinsettia. A poor peasant girl was going to mass on Christmas Eve. She was very sad because she didn't have a gift to present to baby Jesus. On her way to the church she gathered a few plants to take with her. When she arrived at the church she offered the plants she carried and realized that they had turned from green to bright red.
South Africa
Merry Christmas/Geseende Kersfees
Christmas Cracker
The Christmas Crackers that are used today are short cardboard tubes wrapped in colorful paper. There is normally a Cracker next to each plate on the Christmas dinner table. When the crackers are pulled - with a bang! - a colorful party hat, a toy or gift and a festive joke falls out!
Sinterklaas
Australia
Christmas is in the SUMMER in Australia
Holland
Christmas Songs
SinterKlaas
Leaves treats/presents in their shoes. One of his helpers is called Zwarte Piet
ENGLAND
Jingle Bells
Stocking
Presents are left in kids stockings or even a pillowcase
Letters
Kids write letters to Santa and sometimes throws them in their fireplace. Letters will float up the chimney and fly to the North Pole.
CHINA
Merry Christmas
Santa
sheng dan lao ren
Paper lanterns
People decorate with lights, paper chains and paper lanterns