Xmas traditions around the worldpage 3 / 5
As in many other parts of Northern Europe, Christmas Eve is the most important day of the holiday season. In some parts of country it is customary to leave a plate of porridge out for “Julenissen”, as Santa Claus is known.
Christmas in DENMARK.Christmas Eve is the most important day of the holiday in Denmark and the time-honoured highlight of the Christmas Eve meal is the serving of rice pudding at midnight. A single almond is hidden in the rice pudding and whoever finds it is entitled to a small gift and can expect to have good luck in the coming year.
Christams in FINLAND. According to Finnish people, Santa Claus lives in the north part of the country, Korvatunturi, north of the Arctic Circle and people from all over the world today address their letters to ‘Santa in Finland'. On Christmas Eve, people eat rice porridge and a sweet soup made from dried fruits and then decorate the tree and in the evening, a traditional Christmas dinner of casseroles containing liver, carrot and potato, with cooked ham or turkey is eaten. Santa Claus then delivers presents on Christmas Day.
Christmas in SWEDEN, A thousand years ago, King Canute declared that Christmas would last for one month, from the feast of St. Lucia on December 13th. On that day, the eldest daughter of the family wears a white dress with a red sash, and places an evergreen wreath with seven lighted candles on her head, taking hot drinks and cakes to each family member. Then on Christmas Eve, the tomte (a Christmas gnome), emerges from his home underneath the house with a sack of presents and distributes gifts to each household.
Christmas in ITALY, Childrenreceive their presents on Christmas morning and they are brought either by “Babbo Natale” (literally “Father Christmas”) or by “Gesù Bambino” (the baby Jesus).