Holiday Traditions

          By Heather Scott

In the United States, Christmas traditions are ingrained in the culture.
Santa Claus visits every family on Christmas Eve. Children awaken early Christmas morning to open presents under a decorated Christmas tree. Families gather for traditional dinners of ham or turkey.

In other parts of the world, traditions vary. In America, for example, we decorate our Christmas tree with bulbs, bells, doves, gingerbread men, and candy canes.
In China, popular decorations are paper lanterns, which symbolize the coming of the New Year. Each paper decoration can symbolize different values such as luck, longevity, and happiness. The Feng Huang Phoenix, for example, symbolizes rebirth. The Golden Pheasant stands for beauty and good fortune.
In China, the Christmas season is known as Sheng Dan Jien. Santa visits the boys and girls in China too, but they call him Dun Che Lao Ren.

The Irish have some favorite decorations as well. They use Shamrocks, the Celtic cross, the Irish flag and, believe it or not, sheep, which symbolize shepherding and the Christ child.
The St. Bridget’s Cross is hung on front doors for protection. The Irish use nativities in place of Christmas trees, and on Christmas Eve, candles are placed in windows, and the front door is unlocked. This invites those who do not have a place to go for Christmas.

Instead of “Merry Christmas!” Puerto Ricans say “Felices Pascuas.” Puerto Rico is big on music festivals, and the Christmas season brings an abundance of them.
For six weeks, musicians and dancers visit people’s homes. Their songs are known as gifts in tribute to oral tradition in the past. Songs and music were the gifts given down by their ancestors.

A big feast is served on Christmas Eve, and families make sure to dress up in their best clothes for this meal. Puerto Ricans celebrate the Christmas season until Jan. 6. On the Dec. 28, Puerto Ricans celebrate Day of the Innocents (Dia de Los Inocentes), similar to our April Fools Day. People spend the day trying to play friendly pranks on their friends and family.

In Canada, all public parks and buildings will light up at the exact same time for the holidays. In French Canada, the Christmas Eve dinner consists of a meat pie made from pork, potatoes, and onions (Toutiore). Quebec's Christmas activities end on Jan. 6 with a party called “Fete du Roi,” which means the Party of the King.
During the party, slices of cake are passed out and everyone searches for the bean that has been baked into one of them. The person who finds it is crowned king or queen for the day.
Santa Claus visits, but some children wait until New Year’s Day to open their presents.

In Greece, the Christmas tradition starts off with 40 days of fasting. Christmas trees are decorated with presents, and the gifts come from St. Basil (the Greeks’ Santa Claus).

Greek families start preparing the Christmas meal one week ahead of time. A sweet bread called Christ’s Bread, served with honey and nuts, is a traditional Greek favorite.