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ENGLAND
The British decorate Christmas trees, hang stockings by the chimney and mistletoe on doorways. Since the Middle Ages, they have celebrated what are known as the mummings, re-enactments or plays using masked participants. This tradition is carried out in schools and in the local churches of small towns.
It is also customary to hang mistletoe. Traditionally, couples who find themselves beneath the mistletoe must exchange a kiss.
Another tradition is the making of the Christmas pudding. A traditional offering made on the first Sunday of Advent calls for each member of the family to take turns stirring the pudding in an east-to-west direction, commemorating the visit of the Three Kings to the manger of the Christ-child, while asking for a silent wish.
December 26 is known as Boxing Day. On this day, gifts of charity destined for the poor are opened and distributed.
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FINLAND
Santa Claus is very near and dear to the Finns, since they claim that he lives in the northern part of their country outside the Arctic Circle in a place called Korvatunturi. This is why many letters addressed to Santa Claus are sent to Finland.
There's even a theme park and huge tourist attraction in Finland called Christmas World, where you can tour Santa's house.
Three days are particularly important: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. On Christmas Eve, people eat food made with oats and drink prune juice in the morning while they decorate the Christmas tree. That night there is a very special meal that includes turkey and ham. It is a day in which many people take the opportunity to visit their departed loved ones and place wreaths on gravestones.
Usually, a member of the family dressed as Santa Claus delivers the presents that are to be exchanged on Christmas Eve.
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FRANCE
On Christmas Eve, the children leave their shoes next to the fireplace, expecting them to be filled by Papa Noel, as they call the jolly man with the white beard.
Children also find gifts, candy and fruit adorning the tree on Christmas Day.
Re-enactments of the Nativity scene are held outside cathedrals using either puppets or live actors.
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GERMANY
The preparations for this holiday begin on the 6th of December. People bake cookies and decorate their homes with traditional ornaments like small figurines made of fruit.
On windowsills, children leave letters to Christkind, a winged figure who traditionally delivers the presents. Christkind is regarded as the messenger angel of Baby Jesus.
Germans are also famous for their beautiful gingerbread houses.
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GUATEMALA
Christmas Comes with Carols, the Nativity and Shelter
"Llora, el Hijo de Dios ha nacido, de noche en Belén hace frío, temblando se pone a llorar, a llorar"
(Weep, the Son of God is born, at night when Bethlehem is cold, he shudders and weeps, weeps)
Christmas carols are an item on a long and diverse list of Guatemalan Christmas traditions.
During the first days of December, streets, shops and houses all over the country are decorated with garlands, colorful lights and ornaments.
Christmas festivities start on December 7 with "Quema del Diablo," a colorful tradition in which Guatemalans scour their homes for old things they no longer need and use them to build a bonfire. The bonfire is burned to symbolically "expel" evil from their homes. Children help by finding dead tree branches called chiribiscos to start the fire.
One day later, the festive celebration of the Immaculate Conception crowds the streets around every Catholic church. Fireworks and music are used in this tribute to the Virgin. On December 8, the area surrounding the sanctuary of Guadalupe is conjested with street vendors and devotees that come to pay homage to the Virgin. On December 12, children come to church in traditional attire, in reverence to Her.
"In the name of heaven, I beg you for shelter..."-On December 16, Guatemalans carol from home to home with images of Joseph and Mary and ask for shelter, just as the biblical couple did the night of Dec 24 when they arrived to Nazareth. The images of the two saints are kept inside these homes for the night. At the end of their stay, a small meal is served for those who have accompanied them; normally punch and other traditional appetizers are served.
During the month of December, small and large nativity scene demonstrations can be found in the homes of every practicing Catholic in Guatemala. These demonstrations are artistic depictions of the birth of Jesus Christ. They capture the scene with miniature man-made rivers, stables, mountains, shepherds and figurines of merchants and residents. In each of them, Joseph, Mary, the angels, the ox and the mule wait anxiously for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Hundreds of people also come to church to see the nativity scenes on display; among the most visited are the churches of San Francisco, Catedral and Calvario, the church of Cerrito del Carmen and the chapel of El Señor de las Misericordias. Some churches have tours to visit the most beautiful nativity scenes in the city.
At midnight on Christmas Day, a Baby Jesus figurine is placed on the nativity. Families pray to celebrate his arrival.
Traditionally, Guatemalans celebrate the arrival of the Baby in different ways, namely by observing novena, going to church, and playing the traditional game of "stealing the Baby." (When the owner of the house is not paying attention, a relative or friend may pick Baby Jesus from the nativity scene and 'steal it.' Upon discovering the lost baby, the owner prompts the robber to return the Baby by having a party in honor of his return.)
After Christmas Day, the nativity scene gets ready for January 6, when the three Wise Men arrive. After this important date, observers choose a day before the Catholic festivity of la candelaria (celebrated on February 2) to pray for the Baby, and remove the nativity to signal the end of Christmas.
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