Christmas Magic

St. Nicholas, otherwise known as Sinter Klaas, arrives in November in Holland bearing gifts. He is dressed in Bishop’s robes and travels by boat with his helper who is called Black Peter, who wears Spanish clothing. Many people go to Amsterdam docks to greet him. He mounts a grand snow horse and rides during a [...]

Mexico’s main Christmas celebration is called La Posada, which is a religious procession that reenacts the search for shelter by Joseph and Mary before the birth of Jesus. During the procession, the celebrants go from house to house carrying the images of Mary and Joseph looking for shelter.
And though Santa Claus is not predominant, his [...]

Christmas preparations in Germany often begin on the eve of December 5th, the eve of St. Claus Day.  People often set aside special evenings for baking spiced cakes and cookies, and making gifts and decorations. Little dolls of fruit are traditional Christmas toys.
Children leave letters on their windowsills for Christkind; a winged figure dressed in [...]

Nearly every French home at Christmastime displays a Nativity scene which are called crèche, and is the centerpiece of the Christmas celebration. It’s often decorated with small clay figurines called santons that represent little saints.  Santons are a tradition that’s been handed down through the generations.  They are made by craftsmen in the south of [...]

In a country where the population is well over 1 billion people, India is widely known to be a Hindu and Moslem country. However, there are still over 26 million Christians residing there.  So during the Christmas holiday season, you’ll still find carolers singing and Father Christmas in many storefront window displays. Bombay, Delhi and [...]

In Italy, the Christmas season celebration lasts for three weeks and starts eight days before Christmas. It’s known as the Novena, and during this period, children go from house to house dressed as shepherds, reciting Christmas poems and singing.  In some parts actual shepherds bring musical instruments into the villages, play and sing Christmas songs. [...]

Christmas is a very different experience in Australia.  It takes place during the hottest months of the summer in the Southern Hemisphere, so dreaming of a white Christmas while in Australia is about the only way you’ll have one!
Many Australian Christmas traditions are ingrained in their British roots.  A traditional Christmas meal usually includes a [...]

Father Noel is the gift-bringer in Brazil. According to Brazilian folklore, he lives in Greenland, and it’s been said that because of how warm it is in Brazil during the Christmas holiday, Father Noel wears silk clothing to stay cool. 
There is a very common tradition among friends and families, called amigo secreto, or secret friend. [...]