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The night before Christmas, Christmas Eve, is a very magical and special time of the year. Children are "wide-eyed" with anticipation on what tomorrow will bring. They have been waiting for this time of the year for a long, long time, and it is finally here. Christmas Eve traditions differ in various countries around the world, and in this article we will be exploring some of these traditions.
Traveling around the world can work up quite the appetite, and even Santa needs to have a bit of refreshment now and then. In America and Canada, one popular Christmas Eve tradition is to leave Santa a glass of milk and a plate of cookies. In Australia and Britain they prefer to leave sherry and mince pies. The children of Sweden are aware that Santa has a love of chocolate...so they leave brownies.
Santa's reindeer are not to be forgotten on this big night. After all, they need to pull a sleigh filled with Christmas presents around the world. How tough is that? Once again, children to the rescue. Kids from the United States, Canada, Britain, and Australia leave a carrot to give those reindeer that "extra boost of energy" that they are going to need to make that final push. Children who follow the Dutch custom of sinterklass go a bit further in that they leave some hay with a carrot in a shoe. When they wake up the next morning the shoe will be replaced by a gift.
Another tradition that has become more and more popular in America is the reading of the book "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clark Moore, or similar books about Santa Claus. Other families prefer to watch videos or television to reading. Popular titles are: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas or Frosty the Snowman. Singing Santa Claus songs like Here Comes Santa Claus, Up on the Housetop, or Santa Claus is Coming to Town are also very popular.
Just before they nod off to bed, children around the world put their stockings on mantels (i.e.: In hopes that St. Nick will soon be here). They anticipate them being filled by Santa Claus with all kinds of goodies...ready for consumption the next morning. They will take a quick look up the chimney to make sure nobody has arrived yet, and take a quick glance out the window to see any movement in the sky, and sometimes even leave the front door unlocked (i.e.: In case Santa has problems with the chimney).
Up til now it seems that children have been doing all the work, but not it's time for mom and dad to join in on all the action. There are plenty of gifts that need to be placed under the Christmas tree. Many times these gifts will be signed "From Santa" or "Love Santa".
We hope you liked this little tour of the traditions on the night before Christmas. In future articles we will be examining other aspects of the Christmas tradition. Hope you will join us...
Traveling around the world can work up quite the appetite, and even Santa needs to have a bit of refreshment now and then. In America and Canada, one popular Christmas Eve tradition is to leave Santa a glass of milk and a plate of cookies. In Australia and Britain they prefer to leave sherry and mince pies. The children of Sweden are aware that Santa has a love of chocolate...so they leave brownies.
Santa's reindeer are not to be forgotten on this big night. After all, they need to pull a sleigh filled with Christmas presents around the world. How tough is that? Once again, children to the rescue. Kids from the United States, Canada, Britain, and Australia leave a carrot to give those reindeer that "extra boost of energy" that they are going to need to make that final push. Children who follow the Dutch custom of sinterklass go a bit further in that they leave some hay with a carrot in a shoe. When they wake up the next morning the shoe will be replaced by a gift.
Another tradition that has become more and more popular in America is the reading of the book "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clark Moore, or similar books about Santa Claus. Other families prefer to watch videos or television to reading. Popular titles are: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas or Frosty the Snowman. Singing Santa Claus songs like Here Comes Santa Claus, Up on the Housetop, or Santa Claus is Coming to Town are also very popular.
Just before they nod off to bed, children around the world put their stockings on mantels (i.e.: In hopes that St. Nick will soon be here). They anticipate them being filled by Santa Claus with all kinds of goodies...ready for consumption the next morning. They will take a quick look up the chimney to make sure nobody has arrived yet, and take a quick glance out the window to see any movement in the sky, and sometimes even leave the front door unlocked (i.e.: In case Santa has problems with the chimney).
Up til now it seems that children have been doing all the work, but not it's time for mom and dad to join in on all the action. There are plenty of gifts that need to be placed under the Christmas tree. Many times these gifts will be signed "From Santa" or "Love Santa".
We hope you liked this little tour of the traditions on the night before Christmas. In future articles we will be examining other aspects of the Christmas tradition. Hope you will join us...
About the Author:
Learn more about Christmas Gift Giving. Stop by Emily Latimer's site where you can find out all about completing that Christmas List.
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