Christmas Around the World

Christmas is one of the major holidays celebrated in the month of December. It is celebrated by billions of people around the world. Christmas was traditionally a Christian holiday to commemorate the birth of Jesus  in Bethlehem and is celebrated on December 25^th. In modern times Christmas is celebrated by people of both Christian and non-Christian religions. Many people celebrate Christmas by exchanging Christmas cards, decorating their homes with lights and Christmas trees, listening to Christmas carols, going to church or community events and having a special dinner and gift exchange with family and friends. Watch the video below to see more about Christmas traditions.

If you want to learn about Christmas traditions in other countries take a look at this website: http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm

If you want to wish someone a Merry Christmas in another language here is what you would say:

French: Joyeux Noël

German: Froehliche Weihnachten

Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka

Hindi: Bada Din Mubarak Ho

Italian: Buon Natale

Japanese: Kurisumasu Omedeto

Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha

Russian: Srozhdestovm Kristovim

Spanish: Feliz Navidad

Tagalog: Maligayang Pasko

Thai: Suksun Wan Christmas

Vietnamese: Chuc Mung Giang Sinh

Watch the video below to hear people give a Christmas greeting in their language.

One of the highlights for Children during Christmastime is the arrival of Santa Claus! Every year on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus leaves his toy workshop at the North Pole and sets off to travel around the world in his sleigh pulled by his flying reindeer. Children who have been good all year get to look forward to Santa Claus coming to their homes on Christmas Eve to leave presents for them underneath their decorated Christmas trees.

Did you know that Santa Claus has different names depending on which country you are in? Here are some of the different names for Santa and the countries of origin:

Brazil: Papai Noel

China: Shengdan Laoren

England: Father Christmas

France: Pere Noel

Germany: Saint Nikolaus

Holland: De Kerstman

India: Santa Claus, Baba

Italy: Babbo Natale

Japan: Hoteiosho

Netherlands: Sinter Klaas

Russia: Ded Moroz

Spain: El Nino Jesus

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks Santa’s trip around the world each year. You can go to the following website to see a recap from last year and a countdown to Christmas Eve this year. Be sure to check it out this Christmas Eve to track Santa’s trip around the world!

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/

Check out the websites below for fun Christmas crafts and activities:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/

http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/christmas/christmas-crafts.html

http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-gifts-cards-decorations/

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