by Between heaven and earth is filled with white crystalline scenes. The noise in the ear is pressed to the pause key. It is quiet and beautiful, with a few snowflakes fluttering down. One feels like the protagonist of a movie or TV drama and could have a romantic encounter at any time.
Snow days and red hats are probably the standards of Christmas. For a Christmas festival, one might want to know what the different customs are in different countries.
Britain
If there’s one thing that drives the nation crazy, it’s the Christmas season! During the Christmas season, Britain has some distinctive rituals: the Christmas sweater
In the UK, no Christmas is complete without a Christmas sweater. Each year, the Friday before Christmas, the people of the UK also create the Christmas Jumper Day, which is now an annual charity event in the UK run by the non-profit organisation Save the Children. People are encouraged to wear Christmas-inspired sweaters to raise money for children.
Christmas cracker
After Christmas parties and Christmas meals, it has become a tradition to pull the Christmas cracker. But did you know that Christmas Crackers are originally made by eating? Tom, the Victorian English confectioner. In order to better sell his candy, Smith created the concept of “bonbon” candy, holding each side of the package with two hands and pulling hard to make a “bon” sound, which not only has a festive atmosphere but also a sense of ritual.
Lighting ceremony
As well as the Christmas cracker, there is also the Christmas lighting ceremony. Every Christmas, Regent St and Covent Garden will light up the theme lights to create a warm Christmas.
America
The United States is a country made up of many nationalities. So Americans celebrate Christmas in many ways. Many people celebrate Christmas according to the customs of their home countries.
Most American families have yards, so they will decorate the yard with lights, decorations, etc. During the holiday season, churches across the United States will hold worship celebrations, holding many large and small musical performances, performing sacred plays, telling Bible stories, singing hymns.In the United States, gifts are exchanged at Christmas. Before Christmas, parents ask their children to write a wish list for Santa Claus, including the gifts they want to receive this year, and this list is the basis for parents to buy gifts for their children. The ritual family will prepare milk and cookies for Santa Claus, parents will secretly drink a sip of milk after the child falls asleep, eat two cookies, the next day after the children wake up, will be surprised to find that Santa Claus has come.
Ireland
As in many Western countries, Christmas is the most important holiday of the year in Ireland, and its Christmas holiday lasts for half a month, from December 24 to January 6. Traditionally, The Irish Christmas season begins the night of The Late Late Toy Show. Ireland has many unique Christmas customs, including: Christmas gift box
According to Irish tradition, every Christmas, businesses or small business owners will give their customers an annual gift to thank them for their visits during the year, this annual gift is commonly known as the “Christmas box”. In addition to businesses, many Irish families also choose to send small gifts to neighbors or friends in the weeks leading up to Christmas to thank them for their care during the year. People in rural Ireland would send produce to relatives in the city, such as geese, large bags of potatoes, eggs, and butter.
Traditional raffle
Every Christmas season, a variety of interesting Christmas raffles will be held in most parts of Ireland, and the traditional raffle prize is usually lamb, and Turkey has become a popular raffle prize in the 20th century. In addition, about ten days before Christmas, people gather in the evening to play card games, with similar prizes awarded to the eventual winner. Many Irish friends will also gather together to drink, play small games, tell stories, chat… Every year on Christmas Eve, the cities of Ireland are filled with street music and beautiful singing. In addition, a traditional custom called “hawking” has even formed in some areas, where young people will sing from the street to the end, expressing goodwill to people and sending festival wishes.
Christmas Eve blessing
The preparations for Christmas culminate on Christmas Eve, the festive Christmas Eve. For many Irish people, Christmas Eve is as important as Christmas Day, which traditionally begins at sunset the night before. After preparations such as cleaning, shopping, fasting and prayer, people look forward to a good rest when night falls on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, people light candles after dinner and enjoy Christmas cakes and drinks. During the day on Christmas Eve, people will come to the cemetery and place green plants on the graves of their loved ones to express their blessings and thoughts.
Italy
Catholic tradition forbids eating meat the night before a religious holiday, so in a Catholic country, fish plays a starring role in the traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner. Italians don’t just love a particular fish dish, including everything from squid to salt cod to eel. These Italian fish dishes will use the freshest ingredients and be served in a variety of formats; Fried and served with pasta or potatoes or sauces according to regional and family recipes. Many people will also be familiar with the Feast of the Seven Fishes, which is not a strictly Italian tradition, but an ItaliAn-American tradition. Usually on Christmas Eve, families get together to enjoy seven different seafood dishes or one or two different types of fish prepared in seven ways. Although the feast is popular among Americans, many Italians in Italy have not actually heard of the tradition (though they may also enjoy seven fish dishes on Christmas Eve).
Germany
Germany winter trip, there is always a lively Christmas market, this is the German winter fairy tale, is a grand scene of the year, the various traditional ceremonies in the festival is also very interesting.
Christmas countdown calendar
In Germany, every day since December 1, a small door full of expectations has been opened. The Christmas Countdown calendar with its 24 surprises not only brings joy to children, but also enthusiasm to adults. Whether it’s chocolates, toys or small gifts, there’s a new joy every day to keep the holiday spirit going until December 24. In addition, the Christmas wreath can count down to Christmas: people will light the four candles in the Christmas wreath on the four Sundays before Christmas.
Christmas market
The world-famous German Christmas market brings a magical atmosphere to the city, filled with crafts, food and a festive atmosphere. Mulled wine, toasted almonds and handicrafts are an integral part of the Christmas market.
Bake Christmas cookies
Baking cookies together is a sweet German tradition. Friends and family gather to bake a variety of treats: from vanilla crescent cookies to gingerbread cookies. Delicious homemade snacks can be given as small gifts or shared.
Decorate the Christmas tree
A beautifully decorated Christmas tree is an important part of German Christmas tradition. Families work together to select a Christmas tree and decorate it with lights and glass balls. On December 24, gifts are placed under the decorated Christmas tree, and after the holiday dinner, families open gifts and spend quality time together. Many historians believe that the custom of decorating Christmas trees originated in medieval Germany.
Christmas: There are many ways to celebrate it, maybe with friends to celebrate, maybe with loved ones to enjoy a candlelight dinner, maybe it is a family reunion, either way, full of joy.
