The first in this relatively modest evidence of representation of the Nativity were found in the catacombs of Rome Pristsila the end of II century
Millions of people around the world welcome Christmas. The desire to reproduce the Savior's birth dates back approximately 2000 years ago. According to some researchers the roots of this custom are lost in ancient times.
The first in this relatively modest evidence of representation of the Nativity were found in the catacombs of Rome Pristsila the end of II century. And the first who attempted to reproduce the live manger for the purpose of Christianity is St. Francis of Assisi in the XIII century.
Austria
With the holidays at the end of the year the Austrians donated their piggy - mascot reminds AFP. The tradition was born many years ago when a sworn spinster Gave a real pig, decorated with a heart of gold paper. Then she found a husband. Since it is considered that pig brings good luck. Today in some villages of Austrian Christmas table is served with rice milk. It is all hidden almond. Whoever finds it gets a prize pig from almond paste, for it brings good luck. Otherwise pig mascot, made of plastic, velvet, bronze and tin, used to decorate the Christmas tree. Sometimes it takes the form and the Christmas cake, topped with cinnamon, cloves and lemon juice. As to the table, it is traditionally served with a sauce of carp beer, ginger bread and donuts.
UK
And compulsory primary dish in the menu is turkey. The recipes are many and in most cases, the turkey is stuffed. Each housewife made Christmas pudding, which puts coin sixpence. Some families prefer pudding to pies or pastries from oil almond paste with a variety of candied fruits. And of course, before dessert menu includes the famous turtle soup. On the eve of Christmas, but the next day on the streets you can see numerous carnivals and plays in a mysterious masked actors who play. In old pagan costumes they are made of long, wide strips. The increase of the day is also celebrated in Britain. In several ways: swimming across the river on 25 December and hunting foxes 26.
Netherlands
For centuries Sinterklas (Santa Claus) comes from Spain by mid-November. All, even the queen meet him at the port. Just arrived, Santa went to check whether children are obedient. He has three weeks - until Dec. 6 to determine who deserves and who is not present. On the day of his departure all the children out on the streets, waving flags, write him letters .... And all this at the ringing of church bells and cannon bursts. Prepare a pair of shoes filled with hay and carrots for Santa's horse. Biscuits and sweets thrown into yards, predict its passage through the neighborhood. A constant companion is black Piet - he brings gifts for poor children.
Italy
On 24 December Italians celebrate the Day of the tree. Traditions are many, but common is the large cake, which is the Christmas cake. He kept the post dinner on December 24 and is preceded by various pastes and fish (mostly eel). Traditional turkey dinner is served on 25 December. Christmas markets closed their doors with great parade on 5 January evening, just before I came witch Befana, which distributes gifts to most of Italy. On the naughty children have only a piece of charcoal. But it is sugar!
Spain
Christmas in Spain is mainly a family holiday. After 22 pm on December 24, all restaurants are closed. People go home and wait Nativity Liturgy at midnight. The feast began then: cod, turkey and chestnuts in southern Spain, almond soup and goose - North. The total of both places is abundant food, sprinkled with fine wine. Dessert was almond cake with honey.
Germany
Preparations for Christmas begin in November. Pedestrian areas and shops are lavish decorations and lights. In Germany, Christmas is primarily a family holiday. Collect the whole family. Young goes to the old as far to live. All together sitting around a rich feast, to eat traditional German specialties - goose with apples, famous shtolen who makes at least a month before, and other delicious things, too Otdohni.ru.
France
The festive Christmas Eve around the tree to collect the whole family. On the table was served the famous French turkey with chestnuts, and no shortage of different dishes, bought specially for the occasion - mussels, abalone, salmon, foie gras. In Alsace - an area which in recent centuries was now part of France, now in Germany, the tradition says: roasted chestnuts and mulled wine.
Argentina
In Argentina, do not decorate Christmas tree, evergreen trees and snow, made of cotton. At Christmas dinner the whole family is gathered in the garden. Hot roast pork or bits of meat with garlic and hard boiled eggs are the traditional dishes of Argentina. Gifts come until January 6. Then small children leave their shoes under the Christmas tree or to the bed so that Santa can put them in lots of toys and candy. In gratitude to the kids leave the door water and hay for the tired deer.
Brazil
If you want to see Santa in a bathing suit, go to Brazil. Heat there do not allow the good old man to dress more decently. In early December, each family member choose a "secret friend". Relatives gather for dinner and then everyone writes their name on a little piece. Wrapper are shuffled and each took one - the man whose name is withdrawn, is his secret friend. On December 25 the secret friend has a special gift.
Egypt
In Egypt celebrate Christmas on January 7. Love is more affluent women to cook fish and donuts and to give to the poor. On the Christmas table is soup, meat and rice. In each house to try and special biscuit-shaped cross, called kahk. Besides the many toys and all sorts of other gifts children receive compulsory and set new clothes.
India
The Christmas spirit is felt in India, although there are few Christians. In the southern part of the country people are accustomed to decorate their houses with little oil lamps and colorful ribbons to put on the doors. The north did every night for a week Christians go to church where they sing Christmas carols. Tradition is between the houses and streets to burn large cardboard lanterns. Is missing and Christmas tree. It is exquisitely decorated with toys, garlands and mangoes or bananas.
China
In China, usually decorate their homes with huge lanterns and Christmas tree is called the Tree of Light. For Chinese kids Santa Claus is Che Lao Ren Ding, which translated means "Christmas Old Man." He brings gifts at the end of January, when Chinese New Year.
Portugal
Portuguese believe that on Christmas night guests come the souls of dead relatives. People leave the table bread and fruit to be able to eat the dead. Christmas ended on January 6, when the women knead bread and a special place picayune in it. Who found money, should draw the whole family and pay the next Christmas dinner.
Greece
Greek Christmas and New Year traditions are particularly closely linked with religion. Arrange tree on December 24 and 12 days spoils then - just after Fota or Jordan as the Greeks call it. On Christmas Eve, eat lean - dried fruits, pastry, strudel, beans. In Greece, Christmas is a family holiday. Together they go to church, and ornate table served pork, roast turkey with sauerkraut, baklava and other pastries. Gifts are given on New Year's. Saint Vasilis is the favorite saint of the Greek children. It is their Santa Claus.
Finland
The celebration of Christmas in the northern part starts with sitting around a festive table and stay in a sauna. This is an ancient Finnish tradition. The country sauna is so popular that a population of 5 million accounted for 1.5 million saunas, including private and even mobile. City Yuvyaskyula was even discovered the first sauna bar in the world.
BTA
