Family Life

12.22.09 | FL News Team

Have you ever wondered how other countries and cultures observe this time of the year? Here's a look at how others are spending the holiday:

 Belgium -- On Christmas Eve, a special meal is common. It starts with a drink and some nibbles, followed by a starter course such as seafood, and then stuffed turkey. The dessert is called 'la bûche de Noël (lah-boosh-day-no-el), which means "Christmas log." It's a cake made with cream. Father Christmas is called Saint Nicholas and he brings presents to children on December 6th, "St. Nicholas Day," a long time before Christmas. Small family presents are given at Christmas too, under the tree, or in stockings near the fireplace, to be found in the morning. Christmas breakfast is a special sweet bread called 'cougnou' or 'cougnolle' (kahn-yew / kanh-yo-lay) - the shape is supposed to be like baby Jesus. Some families will have another big meal on Christmas day.

 Brazil -- Father Christmas is called Papai Noel. Many Christmas customs are similar to the United States or United Kingdom. A special Christmas meal may include chicken, turkey, ham, rice, salad, pork, fresh and dried fruits -- often with beer.

 France -- Christmas is always called Noël. Christmas trees are sometimes decorated with red ribbons and real white wax candles. Fir trees in the garden are often decorated too, with lights on all night. The Christmas meal is an important family gathering with good meat and the best wine.

 Germany -- Germans love to decorate their houses at Christmas. Many houses will have little wooden frames holding electric candles in their windows, and colored pictures of paper or plastic which look beautiful from the outside at night. Most homes will also have little wooden 'cribs' - a small model of the stable where Jesus was born, with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and animals.

 Greenland -- In Greenland, people observe Christmas by visiting each other and feasting on cakes and coffee. They also eat Mattak, which is whale skin with a strip of blubber inside. It is tough to chew and is usually just swallowed.

 Latvia -- Latvians believe that Father Christmas brings presents on each of the 12 days of Christmas starting on Christmas Eve. Usually the presents are put under the family Christmas tree. The special Latvian Christmas Day meal is cooked brown peas with bacon sauce, small pies, cabbage and sausage.

 Portugal -- The Portuguese celebrate a feast called the consoda. During the feast, which falls on Christmas morning, extra places are set at the family table. These are for the souls of family members who have passed on. They believe that offering the gift of food to these souls will ensure good fortune for the family in the coming year.

 Russia -- In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. New Year was the important time, because that's when "Father Frost" brought presents to children. With the fall of Communism, Christmas can be openly celebrated -- either on December 25th or more often on January 7th. This unusual date is because the Russian Orthodox church uses the old Julian calendar for religious celebration days. Special Christmas food includes cakes, pies and meat dumplings.

 Switzerland -- The week before Christmas, Swiss children go up and down the street with bells and small gifts, calling people to attend midnight Mass. After the church service, families gather to drink hot chocolate and huge homemade doughnuts called ringli. Also, instead of Father Christmas, Swiss children get their presents from the Christkindli, an angel wearing a white veil and a crown. The candles in the Christmas tree are lit as she enters each home and distributes presents from a basket held by her child helpers.