Although Christmas was originally a Christian tradition, it turned out to be one of the biggest and most popular events throughout the world. This is probably because Christianity accounts for about a third of the world population, with approximately 2.2 billion adherents who belong to various Christian denominations. This guide may come in handy if [...]
In Portugal, the family comes together on December 25th, not only to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but the passing of deceased friends and family members as well. The alminhas a pehar (“souls of the dead”) are given food and a place at the table to ensure good luck and fortune for the future. [...]
As reported by Fox News Online, the White House has chosen this year’s official Christmas tree. It comes from Schroeder’s Forevergreens, a farm owned by Tom and Sue Schroeder in Neshkoro, Wisconsin. White House Grounds Superintendent Dale Haney studied about half a dozen trees before deciding on the 18-and-a-half-foot-tall balsam fir. According to Haney, “the [...]
For children in Germany, Santa Claus (a.k.a Saint Nicholas, Jolly Ol’ St. Nick, etc.) isn’t the only man who visits during the holidays. Knecht Ruprecht, which translates to “Servant Rupert” or “Farmhand Rupert”, escorts Saint Nicholas on December 6, Saint Nicholas Day in deustchsprachigen Raum, or German-speaking Europe. There are two stories of Knecht Ruprecht’s origin: [...]
Look at the traditional nativity display of homes around Catalonia, Spain and its neighboring cities and you might find a strange and somewhat out of place character in the middle of all the familiar figures. The Caganer, a statuette of a man in the act of defacation, is a controversial yet traditional piece featured in [...]
[/p] A stunning addition to any style of Advent or Christmas decor, the Moravian Star can be seen hanging in most parts of Germany and American states that have Moravian congregations. (Moravians being evangelical Protestants with roots in Germany) The star was created in the 1830s in Germany, where it was first made during school [...]
A long standing custom, our friends from Germany (and those with roots and relatives from the country) practice the German Christmas Pickle tradition. The tradition rewards the most observant child of the family. After the Christmas decorations and Christmas trees have been hung and finished, mothers or fathers hide a pickle-shaped glass ornament in the [...]
In the United States, we have our Christmas traditions–the Christmas tree, Santa’s gifts and coal, stockings, etc. Other parts of the world also have theirs. Take for example the Tio de Nadal (Christmas Log) tradition in Catalonia, Spain. The Tio de Nadal, or as it is more popularly called, Caga Tio (translating to “Pooping Log”) is [...]
It’s April and the Bell’s artificial Christmas tree is still up. No, they didn’t forget to check what month it is. No, they’re not just lazy. And again, no, they’ve never really taken their Christmas tree down. While many others believe that letting your Christmas tree stay up until the Valentine’s Day is the height [...]
Does your family make a tradition of decorating your artificial Christmas tree? Do you pride yourself in creating a Christmas tree that is even more beautiful than last year’s? Does your family have a competitive, go-get-’em attitude that is somehow more pertinent during your favorite time of the year (i.e. Christmas)? Are you in Delaware [...]
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