Christmas Eve, the night before Christmas, is a very special time of year. Every year, around the world, children are “wide-eyed” in anticipation of all the gifts they will receive tomorrow morning. Did you know that Christmas Eve traditions differ in various countries around the world? Well they do. In this article we will be exploring the traditions of Christmas Eve in various countries around the world.
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.
Sure, Santa needs refreshment, but what about his reindeer? Children love animals, and they are not about to forget Santa’s little helpers on the big night. Kids from Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States leave a carrot to give those reindeer an extra “boost of energy”. The children who follow the Dutch custom of sinterklass go a bit further…they also leave some hay with a carrot. Placed in a shoe before going to bed, it is replaced by a gift.
Reading books and watching television or videos have become a Christmas Eve tradition as well. One popular book is “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clark Moore. Popular videos are: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or Frosty the Snowman. For those who like to sing Christmas Carols, popular titles are: Here Comes Santa Claus, Up on the Housetop, or Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
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”.
Did you enjoy this little tour of “The Night Before Christmas”? Christmas Eve is certainly a magical time of year…but we are not done yet. In future articles we will be exploring more aspects of Christmas, so stay tuned…
Learn more about Christmas Gift Giving. Stop by Emily Latimer’s site where you can find out all about completing that Christmas List.
Related Reading:
The Night Before Christmas and Other Popular Stories For ChildrenThis book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Holiday (Christmas in Connecticut / A Christmas Carol 1938 / The Shop Around the Corner / It Happened on 5th Avenue)A Christmas Carol - Reginald Owen portrays Charles Dickens' holiday humbug Ebenezer Scrooge. Christmas In Connecticut - Laughs, romance, holiday cheer: that's the recipe Barbara Stanwyck and a stellar company follow in this perennial favorite. It Happened On 5th Avenue - Home for the holidays! GI families hit by the post-World War II housing crunch take over an abandoned New York City mansion. The Shop Around The Corner - Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart play bickering store clerks who are unknowingly secret pen pals.
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