Throughout the world this festival is celebrated a little differently. Some places are decorated with Christmas trees, while in others people are waiting for Santa Claus. Here, we share with you all the different Christmas habits that we have gathered from around the world.
Austria
According to tradition Santa Claus comes on December the 6th and treats the good children with walnuts, apples and sweets. On December 24th Jesus brings the little children gifts and a Christmas tree. The children eagerly wait for a bell to ring as only then can they enter the room that hides the candles, ornaments and the Christmas tree decorated with candy .
Germany
At Christmas time Germans go to great lengths to decorate their houses. They attach coloured bulbs or mounted colour images to wooden framed windows which show up very well in the dark winter nights. Nativity scenes are to be found in most apartments. The children write a Christmas gift list decorated with drawings which are placed in the windows overnight. On top of each list they put sweets and candies to make sure that Santa Claus finds it.
France
The smaller children polish their shoes near the fireplace on Christmas Eve so Santa Claus can put their gifts into them. The older children go with the adults to a midnight mass and then return home for a Christmas supper.
Italy
Perhaps on first hearing this it sounds rather incredible, but Italian children are not familiar with Santa Claus! Their good witch, Befana, visits them and not in December, but on January 6th! This is interesting because the inhabitants of Italy are deeply religious, but there was still a place in their hearts for the beautiful little witch who would take away the old and the evil and bring something new and good instead. Italy has a long tradition of Bethlehem games. Not only do the churches have amateur theaters