subject: Christmas traditions in Europe [print this page] Christmas traditions in Europe Christmas traditions in Europe
Around the world, various cultures are preparing for the holiday season. The joy and cheer of Christmas is celebrated in many different ways, particularly in Europe, where several countries practice unique traditions.
In Germany, Christmas is known as Weihnacthen, and it's one of the most important holidays celebrated by Christians in the nation. According to VistaWide.com, German citizens will decorate their homes with hand-carved Nutcrackers, ginger bread houses and Christmas pyramids, or Weihnacthspyramiden. Meanwhile, in France, children celebrate the holiday by leaving their shoes next to their fireplaces on Christmas Eve. Then the children head to bead, waiting for Pere Noel, France's version of Santa Claus, to come and fill their shoes with holiday treats such as fruits, nuts, small toys and sweets, reports WorldofChristmas.net.
In the Netherlands, celebrants observe the holiday on December 5, a holiday they call Sinterklass Avond, which translates to St. Nicolas Eve. On the following day, Dutch people gather with their families to celebrate.
European citizens are exchanging gifts with one another in light of the holiday celebrations. Many of those who can't be with family members will send an international money transfer to their loved ones as a present.
Christmas in Spain is quite different from the rest of the world's celebrations, as Christians in the country have several holidays beginning on December 8, which is know as the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The final day of celebration is on January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, reports Spanish-Fiestas.com.
Italians have merged traditional holiday celebrations with those of ancient times. In "Europe's Boot," Christmas markets, fairs and other celebrations honor both the birth of Jesus and the great feast of the winter solstice, which was also observed by ancient Romans, according to CaliforniaMall.com.
Children in Italy leave their shoes out on Christmas Eve, but not for Santa. Instead, Italian youngsters believe that La Befana, which is similar to Mrs. Claus in the U.S., will visit them and fill their footwear with goodies.
Europeans who find themselves celebrating the holidays far from their homelands are likely to wire money home, accompanied with a festive note expressing holiday cheer.
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