| Christmas Customs Around the World |
| In class we learned about the following countries and made something to remind us about them. USA - We colored a pattern on a candy cane Candy canes stand for the crooks the shepherds used. Today in the United States, children enjoy eating candy canes during the Christmas season. Many families use candy canes as part of the Christmas tree decorations. Holland - We got a treat!! Windmills are seen throughout Holland and miniature windmills are made by Dutch children as decorations. Sinterklaus comes to Holland by boat on the eve of December 5th and leaves treats for the children. Families also exchange gifts with rhymes attached giving clues to what is inside. Germany - We decorated Christmas Trees with Fruit Loops using patterns St, Nicholas Day is December 6th. The Christmas tree come to us from Germany. Legend tells us about one Christmas Eve when Martin Luther was walking through the forest. He saw stars shining through the trees and thought the sight was so beautiful that he cut down a tree and cecorated it with candles. Today people all over the world use Christmas trees. Israel celebrates Hanukkah - We colored a menorah pattern and counted the dots on a dreidel Hanukkah, or the Feast of Lights, is one of the oldest Jewish holidays. It lasts for eight days and usually occurs in December. Jewish children have fun decorating their homes with white and blue stars and gold and silver dreydls. The dreydl is a toy used in many games during this season. The dreydl is a top with four sides and a Hebrew character painted on each side. Greece - We made paper stockings to hang in our room The custom of hanging stocking on Christmas Eve came from a Greek legend. Saint Nicholas, then a Greek bishop, dropped gold down a man's chimney where it landed in his oldest daughter's stocking. The daughter then could marry because she now had gold for a dowry. Children later began hanging stocking in the hope they would be filled with gifts. Poland - We drew stars and made a Star Santa In Poland on Christmas Eve children celebrate the Festival of the Star. When the first star is seen the children run and tell their parents and the celebration begins. The evening begins with a large feast with many different foods. After eating, the Christmas tree is lighted and carols are sung. Presents are given to the children. Turkey - We made a Santa that says "Ho, Ho, Ho!" The legend of Santa Claus goes back to Turkey where Santa Claus was always thoughtful and kind. He would do nice things for both the rich and the poor. Santa Claus, being very magical, gets into homes even when there is no chimney. There's no doubt children everywhere find presents from him. Sweden - We made a crown of candles to wear The holidays begin in Sweden on Saint Lucia Day, December 13th. Christmas Eve is a time for feasting for Swedish families. The children in Sweden make blue birds to decorate their Christmas trees. Mexico - We made poinsettias The poinsettia cama to the United States from Mexico. Dr. Joel Poinsettia brought the poinsettia from Mexico in 1828 to South Carolina where it had beginnings as the Christmas flower of the United States. The Mexicans call the plant Flor De La Noche Buena which means Flower of the Holy Night. The poinsettia is a wild plant with tiny flowers surrounded by beautiful red leaves. In Mexico, they celebrate Las Pasado beginning nine nights before Christmas. |
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