Christmas in Other Countries

I just love tradition. No matter how small or silly or unique... traditions keep history alive and the world waiting and excited. And that's why I'm devoting a whole week to learning about Christmases in countries beside the USA. Starting with...

Germany!

There, the Christmas season begins four Sundays before Christmas Day when families gather to light the Adventskranz or Advent Wreath. However, the real celebration starts on the 6th of December, St. Nicholas Day, known there as "Nikolaustag". On the night of 5th December children put their shoe or boot outside the door. According to a German legend, the spirit of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, goes from house to house on this night carrying a book of sins in which all the actions of the year of all children are written. It is said that St. Nicholas fills the shoes of all good kids with delicious treats and places twigs in the shoes of all naughty children. Germany is also the origin of the Advent Calendar (as I mentioned before) and the Christmas Tree.

Please note: Throughout this week, if anyone finds error in what I post about foreign tradition, please inform me so that I may correct it. I am just finding this information via the internet and hope not to offend anyone.