22 days to christmas
This is all about Christmas, I shall sorry, now just once, for those of you that are not really into Christmas, I understand, but you might find the recipes fun. just a little reminder that I have already posted some Christmas gift ideas, and the easiest way to find anything to do with Christmas is to go to categories and click on Christmas.
I am sorry but I cant get rid of the adverts on this little video, but I am sure you will enjoy the story.
There are many traditions around the world, and our Father Christmas has a few names, like Weihnachtsmann (“Christmas Man”) in Austria and Germany, Mikulas (St. Nicholas) in Hungary, Santa Claus to name but a few. The tradition of children receiving gifts during the month of December is relatively the same no matter where you go in the world, but the character that brings the gifts can vary quite a bit from country to country. It is true that the American version of Santa is rapidly catching on abroad, but in addition to Mr. Claus many countries still celebrate their own unique Christmas characters. From rascally gnomes and friendly witches to creepy goat creatures .
In Alpine countries, Santa Claus is roughly the same jolly old gift-giver as he is in North America, with one key difference: he’s accompanied by a terrifying, bloodthirsty monster called the Krampus. With a name that derives from the German word for “claw,” Krampus serves as the resident heavy of Santa’s gang, dishing out beatings and other medieval-style punishments to naughty kids.
As you would assume the Krampus do not hand out gifts, but Saint Nicholas gives out chocolate, having seen the effect that the krampus has on children first hand, they are truly scared.This all happens 5,6,7th december.
while on the 24th December children believed that the 'Christkind' decorates the tree. The Christkind also brings presents to children on Christmas Eve and leaves them under the tree. (The Christkind is described as a golden-haired baby, with wings, who symbolizes the new born Christ.)
La Befana - Italy
This holiday marks the end of the Christmas season and it is one of Italy's oldest and most celebrated legends. In Italian folklore, Befana (pronounced [beˈfaːna]) is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to St Nicholas or Santa Claus. A popular belief is that her name derives from the Feast of Epiphany or in Italian La Festa dell'Epifania.
Jultomten - Sweden
In Sweden, presents might be brought by Santa called 'Jultomten' or by gnomes/elves called 'Nissar' or 'Tomte'. They're called Nisse' in Norway. He seems a nice jolly sort of chap, and he comes on the 24th when the Sweden exchange gifts.
I could go on forever, but here is where I stop, just a little taster of other countries. Shall we get cooking then?