Mini Web Trek: Christmas Around the World



CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD Mini Web Trek


Visit the following URLs and read about Christmas traditions in these areas, and then answer the questions listed.

1. CHRISTMAS IN HAWAII: http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/dining/christmas+trees/ Before Christmas trees were brought into Hawaii, residents used to use this kind of a tree. What is it, and what were the problems with this tree? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2. CHRISTMAS IN FINLAND: http://virtual.finland.fi/xmas/ In Finland, when is the feast day of St. Nicolas celebrated? What other tradition has become associated with Christmas in Finland, observed on December 13th? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 3. CHRISTMAS IN MEXICO: http://www.mexconnect.com/MEX/austin/posadas.html When is Las Posadas celebrated in Mexico? What typically ends each posada? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 4. CHRISTMAS IN EGYPT: http://touregypt.net/featurestories/christmas.htm The main group that celebrates Christmas in Egypt is known as the ____________________. The Christmas Lebkuchen has all of the following ingredients in it, except for (circle one only): nutmeg lemon rind oranges cinnamon almonds _______________________________________________________________________
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 5. CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA: http://www.thekoala.com/ausxmas.htm In Australia, Christmas is celebrated during which season? What kind of dinners might be served? What are the Carols by Candlelight, and when and where did this tradition begin? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 6. CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY: http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/chr/germany.html We borrowed a lot of our own Christmas traditions from those established in Germany - including the Christmas tree, the advent calendar, and gingerbread. When does St. Nicholas visit children in Germany? What kind of feast do families usually enjoy on Christmas Eve? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 7. CHRISTMAS IN ITALY: http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/chr/italy.html When is the last day of Christmas celebrated, and what is it called? Who is La Befana? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 8. CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE: http://www.santas.net/frenchchristmas.htm http://www.zuzu.org/fran.html It is a tradition for children to leave what in front of the fireplace in France on Christmas Eve? What is the "reveillon"? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 9. CHRISTMAS IN GREECE: http://www.kidlink.org/KIDPROJ/MCC/mcc0165.html In some places in Greece, especially on its islands, people decorate these instead of trees... what are they? What is the name of the special Christmas cakes baked by each family, and what are they decorated with? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 10. CHRISTMAS IN JAMAICA: http://whychristmas.com/cultures/jamaica.shtml What do Jamaicans traditionally prepare for Christmas breakfast? When is Christmas dinner served, and what might it include?

***** MINI WEB TREK ANSWERS: CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD ******* 1. Norfolk pines; the trees became too large and threatened nearby buildings. 2. Click on "Christmas Today". December 6th; Santa Lucia's Day 3. December 16th - 24th; the pinata. 4. Copts; oranges are not part of the recipe. 5. Christmas is celebrated during summer in Australia, though still on December 25th. The seasons are the reverse of ours. Dinner is often a backyard barbeque or beach picnic, with champagne rather than eggnog. Carols by candlelight started in Melbourne in 1937 and has become a popular tradition, where people sit outside on blankets, light candles, and sing carols. Big events of these Candlelight Carols on Christmas Eve in cities like Sydney and Melbourne are now televised. 6. St. Nicholas typically visits on December 6th in Germany, leaving candies. On Christmas Eve, the traditional meal includes duck with apple stuffing, stollen or Christmas bread, and roast goose. Marzipan candy is also a favorite. 7. January 6th, or Ephiphany, is celebrated as the last day of Christmas in Italy. La Befana is a kind and ugly witch who brings children gifts on January 6th, flying on her broomstick to each house and sliding down the chimney, much like Santa Claus, to fill stockings. 8. Sabots or shoes are left by the fire to be filled by Pere Noel; a reveillon is the midnight meal celebrated after mass on Christmas Eve - a very elaborate meal. 9. They decorate boats in Greece to celebrate the importance of the sea. The cakes are called kouloures, and are decorated by showing each family's trade or profession. 10. Saltfish and ackee, fried plaintain, breadfruit, fresh fruit juices, and tea are typically served for Christmas breakfasts. Dinner is served late afternoon (prepared the night before) and typically includes rice and peas, curry goat, oxtail, and chicken.


RETURN TO EVERYDAY TEACHING CALENDAR & RESOURCES: http://www.everydayteaching.com/
©2007 Realmworks Communications. All rights reserved. Reproducible for personal & educational use only. All others require permission.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD Mini Web Trek

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD
Mini Web Trek