Christ’s birthday is called Christmas by Christians on December 25. It is also called the Nativity or Holy Birth. While December 24 is considered Christmas Eve, Christmas celebrations continue from the last week of November to the first week of January. Originally from the Latin Natalis word, Christmas, it is also thought to derive from the French word Nouvelle, which means news and new. The word Christmas, which means Christmas and is used in most English-speaking countries, comes from Greek.
Let’s find answers to your questions about Christmas, to the traditional and modern celebrations that you can attend while studying abroad, and how to celebrate Christmas together!
Today, Christmas celebrations are celebrations that have both religious, economic and social aspects in many countries of the world, and people in general, especially to have fun, to strengthen their ties with family and friends, to chat with food and to give gifts. Christmas preparations;
Advent Period; Christians prepare an advent calendar with a window of 24 and counting the days until Christmas, before December 25, which is Jesus’ birthday. Every day a door is opened to the windows where little surprises and candies are kept for children. In addition, an advent wreath is prepared from the last Sunday of November to the last Sunday of Christmas and 4 candles are lit one by one, one each Sunday.
As Christmas approaches, especially in schools, plays about the birth of Christ are staged by children, and adult and children’s choirs sing hymns in churches, parks and streets in various cities of America and Europe. Illuminated and fancy lighting is used for the interior and exterior of most shops, houses, gardens and shopping centers on streets and streets.
Santa Claus; When it comes to Christmas celebrations, one of the first things that comes to mind is the Santa Claus figure. Especially on the night of December 24, children believe that Santa Claus and his deer will come and leave gifts for them under the pine tree or in Christmas socks with the names of their family members. Gift requests written days in advance; He is given to Santa Claus, who resembles a grandfather, wearing a red-colored outfit with white hair and beard, and a tonton, which is often encountered in parks, shopping malls and streets.
According to rumors, Santa Claus, who is believed to live in the North Pole, put the toys they made with his elves on the sleigh pulled by the reindeer on Christmas night and left them for children by entering through the chimneys and windows of the houses. In addition, especially in America, milk and cookies are put in a corner of the house for Santa Claus and his deers, while there are countries that put liquor-flavored wine and fruit tart.
Christmas Dishes
The most important and indispensable tradition of December 25, that is, Christmas Day, is the Christmas meal, which expresses a religious meaning and integrity. Fried turkeys are indispensable for these meals, where all family members gather around the table in the afternoon to chat and celebrate the arrival of Christmas. In America, turkey served with mashed potatoes, sauces and later pumpkin pie is preferred in France as roast with foie gras and cheese, and then with chocolate supangle for dessert.
In addition, interesting Christmas eating habits are not absent. For example, in Poland, an extra plate is put on the dinner table, with the idea that an unexpected guest will come. Children do not sit down to eat until they see the first star in the sky, looking at the sky through the window. On the day when red meat is not eaten, dishes based on vegetables and pastry are chosen, while 12 different dishes are prepared to represent 12 apostles.
It should be said that celebrations where families and friends come together and have dinner are held in many countries of the world on New Year’s Eve and are quite common. The menu consists of turkey and rice, especially in Turkey, mainly fish in China, while the barbecue is done in Australia at the beach or in the garden house. At the same time, while the colorful New Year’s dishes served in layers in Japan are prepared, each meal has a different meaning. For example; Mashed chestnuts and sweet potatoes mean happiness, shrimp means longevity, black beans mean health.
Celebrating Christmas Around the World
Although the Christmas celebrations are held on December 25 as a religious holiday, especially in the Christian world, the New Year’s celebrations, which herald the arrival of the New Year all over the world, are held on December 31st. Kiribati and Samoa are the first countries to greet the New Year, while Alaska is the last to scratch. Let’s take a look at the most interesting Christmas and New Year celebrations around the world!
In Greece, on the morning of the new year, you enter a year full of prosperity and peace by crushing tangerines on the threshold of the house.
Christmas is not a Christmas without a tree
One of the indispensable parts of Christmas celebrations are Christmas trees decorated with bright lights, colorful ribbons and bells. Although tree decoration is a tradition that dates back centuries in many countries of the world, as in our country, it was originally thanks to Queen Victoria and her husband, German Prince Albert, that it became widespread and especially it reached America and took part in Christmas celebrations. During this period, Christmas trees were decorated with ribbons, paper ornaments, candles, candies, donuts and cakes.
Today, pine trees are widely used in Christmas celebrations, especially in America and European countries. Traditionally, the work of decorating the pine tree, which started from the end of November, is done in homes with the whole family. In addition, you can see giant pine trees and symbolic monuments decorated with lights throughout December, especially in city centers such as London, Paris, New York and Milan. We recommend that students who are abroad for education on these dates do not miss such colorful and illuminated visual feasts.
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