| Christmas is a holiday celebrated by millions | | | | American countries, its holiday traditions are strongly |
| worldwide. Since it has become a global holiday | | | | influenced by the Catholic Church to which a majority |
| different cultures and nations have come up with | | | | of this part of the world is adherents. Christmas |
| unique ways to celebrate it. It has helped to | | | | holidays follows the traditional month long celebration |
| transform a primarily Western holiday into one of the | | | | and ends on Jan 6 with Three Kings Day, the |
| great global holidays of the year. If you are a parent | | | | traditional Catholic holiday that commemorates when |
| who wants to make Christmas more interesting | | | | the three Wise Men came to see baby Jesus. In |
| taking a look at how other countries celebrate to get | | | | Brazil the build Nativity scenes called Presepios. |
| some good ideas. You never know when you may | | | | Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is also considered to |
| find a tradition that will appeal to you and help your | | | | be important and is followed by a great Holiday feast. |
| kids learn about the many faces of Christmas. Here | | | | Santa Claus is called Father Christmas and it is |
| are just some of the holiday traditions that you can | | | | believed that he lives in Greenland not the North Pole. |
| choose from. | | | | Austria is a European country with some of the |
| The African Christmas in not the traditional White | | | | world's oldest holiday traditions. For them Santa Claus |
| Christmas that most people in the western world are | | | | who they call Saint Nicholas visits children on Dec 6 |
| familiar with. However, it is every bit as festive if not | | | | accompanied by the devil to take an accounting of |
| more so than how most European nations celebrate | | | | their good and bad deeds for the previous year. If |
| it. In Africa there is a great emphasis on the Church, | | | | they have been good they get sweets and toys. On |
| feasting, dancing, and then presents. The African | | | | Christmas Eve things are done differently than in the |
| Christmas starts in reality with the Christmas Day | | | | United States. Instead of Santa Claus coming to |
| service. In some counties like the Congo it is | | | | deliver presents, the Christ Child comes and not only |
| customary to leave a gift at the altar of the church | | | | that, he also brings the Christmas tree! Caroling is also |
| at the end of the service for the Christ Child. After | | | | a big part of the season in Austria. Actually some |
| the service family and neighbors celebrate with a big | | | | famous carols such as Silent Night originated there. |
| holiday feast with music and dancing. Gifts are also | | | | If you want to make a new tradition for your |
| more practical and while toys can be given, families | | | | children you can have them receive a call from Santa |
| also use it as an opportunity to get new clothes for | | | | Claus. This will be a special and magical moment as |
| children. English speaking countries in Africa also | | | | your children who still believe in Santa get to talk to |
| celebrate British Christmas holidays such as Boxing | | | | the Jolly Old Elf himself. You just order the call online |
| Day. | | | | and customize it with the good things that your kids |
| Brazil is another tropical country that celebrates the | | | | have done and what they wanted for Christmas. |
| holidays in its own unique way. Like many Latin | | | | |