ACTIVITY 1

1. What is your tradition called?

Santa Claus

2. Describe your tradition.

It is said that he lives near the North Pole, and arrives through the sky on a sledge (snow-cart) pulled by
reindeer. He comes into houses down the chimney at midnight and places presents for the children in
socks or bags by their beds or in front of the family Christmas tree.

3. What is the origin of your tradition?

Father Christmas is based on a real person, St. Nicholas, which explains his other name 'Santa Claus'
which comes from the Dutch 'Sinterklaas'. Nicholas was a Christian leader from Myra (in modern-day
Turkey) in the 4th century AD. He was very shy, and wanted to give money to poor people without
them knowing about it. It is said that one day, he climbed the roof of a house and dropped a purse of
money down the chimney. It landed in the stocking which a girl had put to dry by the fire! This may
explain the belief that Father Christmas comes down the chimney and places gifts in children's
stockings.

4. When is your tradition held?

In the 4th century.

5. Where is your tradition held?

In Turkey

6. What is the symbolism behind your tradition?

Is the symbolism of the Christmas magic.

ACTIVITY 2

1. In India, what type of tree is decorated for Christmas?

2. Russians celebrate Christmas eating kutya. What is it and what does it
symbolize?
3. Mexicans celebrate Christmas with posadas. What is a posada?
 4. In Rome, Italy, capitone is served on Christmas Eve. What is capitone?
5. In Venezuela people listen to aguinaldos. What are aguinaldos?
6. In Provence, France, people put santons in a crèche. What are santons and what
is a crèche?
7. In Japan, people are visited by Hoteiosho. Who is he, and why is he special?
8. In Greece people have to protect themselves from Killantzaroi. What are
Killantzaroi and how can you keep them away?
9. Germans call Christmas Eve Dickbauch. Why is Christmas Eve called
Dickbauch?
10. In China, a very important person is named Dun Che Lao Ren. Who is it?

1. A banana or mango tree is decorated for Christmas.

2. It is made of wheat berries or other grains which symbolize hope

and inmortality, and honey and poppy seeds which ensure happiness,
success and untroubled rest.

3. Children often perform the 'Posada' processions or Posadas. Posada

is Spanish for Inn or Lodging. There are nine Posadas. These celebrate
the part of the Christmas story where Joseph and Mary looked for a
room in an Inn. For the Posadas, the outside of houses are decorated
with evergreens, moss and paper lanterns.

4. Capiton is a bif female eel, roasted, baked or fried.

5. Aguinaldos is the money done when the children go home to home

singing traditional song of Christmas.

6. Santons are small hand-painted, terracota nativity scene figurines

produced in the Provence region. Crèche is a type of figurate.

7. In Japan, people are visited by Hoteiosho. Who is he, and why is he

special? Hoteiosho is an old japanese god.

8. In Greece people have to protect themselves from Killantzaroi. What

are Killantzaroi and how can you keep them away? The Killanatzaroi are
spirits who come out a day during Christmas. You can keep them away
sprinkling holy water around your home.

9. because of the tradition that those who do not eat well on

Christmas Eve will be haunted by demons during the night. So the
opportunity is given to enjoy dishes such as suckling pig, "reisbrei"
(a sweet cinnamon), white sausage, macaroni salad, and many regional
dishes.

10. It is Santa Claus. “Dun Che Lao Ren” means “Christmas Old Man”.