1. Christmas Around the World

2. Christmas in Mexico
Christmas in Mexico is posadas and pinatas.

3. Posada
A posada is a religious parade that takes place for nine days before Christmas. Children dress as Mary and Joseph and look of a place to stay.

4. Pinata
Pinata means gift. It is a paper mache figure filled with presents.
The pinata is hung from the ceiling.
Then blindfolded boys and girls take turns trying to hit it with a stick.
When it is cracked opened the children are showered with dolls, trinkets, candy and fruit.

5. Christmas in Italy
La Befana, a kind old witch, searches for good boys and girls to leave gifts for.

6. She makes a list
If the children are good La Befeana leaves them presents.
But, if you’re a bad boy or girl La Befeana leaves you coals and ashes.

7. Christmas in Sweden Santa Lucia comes on December 13th.
The Christmas tree is decorated with real lighted candles.

8. Christmas in Holland
Sinterklaas arrives in a steamboat from Spain with a white horse and dozens of helpers.

9. December 6th
Children place their wooden shoes filled with carrots and hay by the fireplace for Sinterklaas’ horse.

10. Christmas in America
Christmas in America is Christmas trees, gifts, tinsel, mistletoe, cards and that jolly old elf – Santa Claus.

11. Christmas Trees The Christmas tree is a custom taken from Germany.
The tree is covered with festive lights and colorful decorations.

12. Tinsel
According to legend, a poor old woman was unable to provide decorations for her children’s Christmas tree. When she woke up she discovered that a spider had spun a magical silver web that covered the tree.
Today tinsel still adds a magical touch to our trees.

13. Mistletoe
The evergreen leaves are a symbol of good luck. That is why it is hung in the doorway.
The kiss under the mistletoe is a symbol of peace.

14. Christmas Cards This is an English custom.
The first card was sent in 1870.
Today it is a holiday greeting for family and friend near and far away.

15. Christmas Gifts
The custom of giving gifts goes back to when the Wise Men came to Bethlehem baring gift.
Today Santa Claus, Sinterklaas, La Befana, and Father Christmas all around the world deliver gifts on this special day.

16. Elf
Test your skill. Could you becoming an Elf for the Jolly Old Elf himself.

17. Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas