Christmas in Europe
Christmas in Europe is celebrated on December 24-25. It’s a family holiday like Thanksgiving or Easter. Christmas markets begin to work, houses are decorated with fabulous scenery, relatives and friends exchange gifts.
However, each European country has its own purely folk traditions.
England
The omen of the holiday is impressive discounts in shopping centers, like Black Fridays. Before the holiday, the English pass Advent, a fast that begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, followed by the observance of certain church traditions.
The most important event takes place in Trafalgar Square, where a tall tree is installed. Concerts are held in squares, streets, theaters.
The holiday is celebrated exclusively in the family circle: in the morning relatives go to church, and in the evening gather at the refectory table. On the Christmas table, it is customary to serve Christmas bread, turkey and pudding.
At Christmas, it is customary to listen to the Queen's address, broadcast on television, Christmas ends with walks along the streets decorated in honor of the holiday.
Germany
As in England, the Germans celebrate Advent, and Christmas Eve itself takes place at a festive table decorated with the best set, which is served with wrappers, stuffed goose and stollen, but Germans begin to prepare for Christmas four weeks before the holiday.
From November to December in Germany are especially famous for Christmas fairs, a necessary attribute of which are carousels, as well as fairs are associated with mulled wine, fried chestnuts and, of course, handmade souvenirs. An integral attribute of Christmas here is considered the Nutcracker. On Christmas Eve, a solemn service begins in the temples. Distinctive decoration of the German Christmas are the bright nativity scenes, the caves where Jesus Christ was born, they are complemented by figures of the heroes of the Bible. In Germany and folk pre-Christmas celebrations.
Italy
On the eve of Christmas, Italians defend a solemn service in honor of the holiday. Mass, held in St. Peter's Square, is held by the Pope. Every temple in Italy is decorated with a manger with baby Jesus and angels.
At Christmas, it is customary for the house to be completely sparkled with cleanliness. Italians set tables filled with an abundance of food: lamb, turkey, lasagna, artichokes, fried sausages, Tony's pie, which according to legend, was prepared for Tony's beloved. Particular attention is paid to such a product as lentils. To become rich in the coming year, you need to eat as much lentils as possible.
In Italy, there is an analogue of our Santa Claus – Babbo Natale.
Scotland
Since the Presbyterian Church has never attached much importance to Christmas, December 24 and 25 are not considered holidays in Scotland. The family is reunited at the table only after work.
The Scots set fire to a Christmas log in the woods. This tradition has been adopted since the time of the pagan fire festival of the Scots. Scots don't hang out socks for gifts to children or leave Santa a treat.
There is a sign: if on Christmas Eve in a Scottish village got a traveler, he will not be left hungry. They cover the table with oat cakes, sweet pies and pork dishes. A distinctive dish is Christmas cake.
At three a.m., Scots watch the Queen's speech, which is televised. Dilutes the family holiday grand celebration of lovers of noisy parties – Hogmanay. It's a torch procession and show with fireballs and fireworks in front of a crowd of people at Edinburgh Castle.
The first-footing tradition says that the coming year will succeed if the first person to enter the house is a tall man with dark hair.
Portugal
Starting from November 30 to the new year in the central region of Portugal, the Christmas Village is being built, inside which the local Santa Claus Pai Natal is waiting for everyone to visit it. He enters the house through the chimney of the fireplace and places gifts on the shoes that the children placed near the fireplace.
As in Italy, the symbol of Christmas is the manger, symbolizing the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas religious ceremony in Portugal is called the Rooster Mass. This name comes from the legend, which says that at the time of the birth of Christ crowed the Rooster.
The table of the Portuguese on Christmas Day is similar to the tables of other countries, but the traditional sweetness is a pie in the shape of the crown of Bolu Rey, it symbolizes the gifts of the Kings of Magicians to Jesus.
France
December 6, which is considered St. Nicholas Day, the French begin to celebrate Christmas.
Throughout Advent, the French once a week, after Sunday dinner, the most important member of the family lights another candle in honor of the approach of the expected holiday.
Opposite the City Hall, a skating rink is opened from where you can admire the Eiffel Tower, and holidaymakers ride on the Grand Palais, the largest ice field in France. Organ music concerts are held in churches, and parents take their children to Disneyland for their obedience and hard work.
France is turning into a whole performance: on Rossetti Square there are musical puppet scenes, on Garibaldi Square - performances, and on the Promenade of Payon - an impressive performance, in the Bay of Angels - rowing regatta and salute - Christmas Star, on the beaches of the Promenade of England - Christmas swim.
On the Great Dinner on Christmas Eve, 13 desserts are served instead of meat dishes, which symbolize the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ and himself, white and black nougat, as well as 4 types of nuts that symbolize the monastic order. The table is covered with three tablecloths, decorated with three candles and three bowls with wheat sprouts, this decoration provides a pledge in the next year. It is also customary to burn a log in order not to get fleas and bugs in houses, as well as this ritual protects the house from lightning.
Text: Ekaterina Davydova