Christmas in Europe is usually celebrated on December 25th. The whole Western world is waiting for him with great impatience. Preparations for the bright holiday begin a whole month in advance. European countries celebrate Christmas according to common Catholic traditions. But at the same time, each country has its own national peculiarities of celebrating a magical celebration.
Germany
In Germany, partying starts early. Large and small cities open Christmas markets at the end of November. The tradition dates back to the fifteenth century.
Noisy trade unfolds on the largest square of the city. Merchants are dressed in old picturesque outfits. Mountains of sparkling Christmas toys, the smell of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine create the anticipation of the holiday.
The holiday is preceded by Advent - the Christmas fast. In houses, as a symbol of the expectation of Christ, a wreath of fir branches with four candles is installed. Candles are lit every Sunday. First one, then two, on the third Sunday - three. Before Christmas, all four are already burning.
Before Christmas in Europe will celebrate another holiday -in honor of Saint Nikolaus. From the fifth to the sixth of December, children leave their shoes outside the door. And in the morning they find sweets and small figurines of dough men in them.
Beautiful fir trees in garlands of lights and fancy toys are installed in the central squares of cities just before Christmas. German families also put up Christmas trees in their homes and decorate window sills with traditional biblical scenes and small house villages.
Italy
December 25 Christmas in Europe begins with a mass in the Vatican. On the big Catholic holiday, the Pope blesses the Italians and the whole world.
In every Italian church, a traditional Presepe is staged - a theatrical performance of the birth of Christ. The scene depicts a cave (nativity scene) with a manger and a baby. Many families put on a show at home. Children are happy to take part in the play.
In the early morning everyone gets presents. They are brought to children by the Italian Santa Claus. Here his name is Babbo Natale.
The whole family goes to Christmas mass.
And in the evening they have a family dinner. Fish dishes are a tradition for the Italian Christmas dinner. A dish with mussels, cod or shrimps will definitely be put on the table. Of course, a meal is not complete without roast goose. It is served with lentils.
She is a symbol of prosperity and good luck. The grains look like coins. It is believed that the more you eat, the richer you will become in the new year.
Celebrations continue until January 6th. On the Feast of the Epiphany, the sorceress Le Befanaflies in search of the baby Jesus. She leaves gifts for obedient children and coal for naughty ones.
France
The French start celebrating Christmas on December 6th. This is the day of honoring St. Nicholas. Well, the 25th is already Christmas in Europe. The fun continues until January 6th. It's the day of the King. It is also called Epiphany Day.
Per Noel gives toys and sweets to children. This is what they call Santa Claus in France. Children especially for gifts put their shoes by the fireplace. Peer Noel arrives on a donkey. He climbs into the house through the chimney and leaves gifts. But he has an assistant who comes to naughty children with rods. He brings them coals, not gifts. His name is Per Fuetar.
Often the French hang a bouquet of mistletoe sprigs above the door to the house. It is believed that it will bring good luck.
Festive dinner in France is called Revillon. What does "reborn" mean? After the solemn mass, the whole family sits down at the table set for the holiday.
A bird is an obligatory dish on the Christmas table. At the same time, Burgundy prefers a turkey with a side dish of roasted chestnuts. In Brittany, buckwheat cakes are traditionally cooked with it. They are served with sour cream. Parisians prefer oysters and champagne.
The French consider the traditional Bouche de Noel pie to be a decoration of the Christmas table. It has the shape of a log and an interesting history from the twelfth century.
Once upon a time, on the eve of Christmas in Europe, a cherry log was brought into the house. With prayers, it was poured with oil and warm wine. Then they set fire tochips from last year's block of wood.
They believed that the ashes of the Christmas log guarded the dwelling all year round. Troubles bypass him.
Now this tradition is followed if the house has a fireplace. And Bouches de Noel is the French favorite chocolate roll.
England
In Advent, children sing Christmas songs in the streets. The entrance doors are decorated with holly and mistletoe sprigs. These are the symbols of the world. The British love to send each other Christmas cards. Exposing them on the fireplace, they try to outdo the number of congratulations from relatives or friends. Flappers and intricate masquerade hats will come in handy for a noisy and lush holiday.
Traditional treat - pudding and roast turkey.
Santa Claus arrives on reindeer and brings gifts. A piece of sweet cake and a glass of sherry are always prepared for him. In England, the main Christmas event is the address of the Queen. The whole family listens to it. Remember what date is Christmas in Europe? Surprisingly, most hardware stores and markets open the next day. The British exchange gifts on the "day of surprises", and it is customary to make them with your own hands at home.
Spain
Spaniards start having fun on December 24th. The festivities are reminiscent of a colorful carnival. People dress up in national clothes and come out with songs and dances.
But of course everyone remembers what date Christmas is in Europe. While waiting for the Christmas mass, everyone gathers at the entrance to the Catholic church. They join hands and dance. Confectionery shops are open all night, selling polvoron airy shortbread cookies and the favorite Christmas sweet turron. These are nuts in honey, reminiscent of gozinaki.
In each province of Spain, local customs are honored. Valencia loves Christmas processions with giant puppets and performances with their participation.
Puppet theater - a landmark of the city of Alcoy.
The King of the Moors solemnly arrives to celebrate Christmas in Agost. Everyone is having fun and dancing Moorish dances.
Almond soup, favorite honey halva, fried pork, fragrant ham are sure to be on the Christmas table in Spain.
And on December 29, the whole country is joking. They say you can't even trust the TV news on the Day of Fools.
Celebrations last until January 6 and are called Navidad. Gifts for children in Spain are brought by Papa Noel.
Czech Republic
Czechs decorate Christmas trees very carefully. The evening before Christmas is celebrated in Europe is called generous. First, the whole family prints prepared gifts. Charged with a good mood and good emotions, they sit down for a festive dinner. Carp is the main decoration of the table. It is baked with cumin. Moreover, you must definitely buy it alive.
Christmas divination is a favorite pastime. Fortune telling on apples is the most common. You need to cut them and see a star made of stones inside - then luck awaits ahead.
Young people launch lighted candles in nutshells along the river. If you swim and do not sink - fortunately for the whole year.
Hungary
Festive festivities begin in mid-December. Celebrate the Day of the Apostle Luke. Girls gather for Christmas divination. They write down thirteen male names on thirteen notes. Throw away one note a day and read the rest. This will be the name of the betrothed.
Men make Luke's chair before Christmas in Europe. For this, 7 types of wood are used. At Christmas, someone stands on this chair to see if there is a witch in the company. After making sure that there is no danger, children and adults rush to the elegant Christmas tree. There are golden-wrapped chocolates hung for them.
Table decoration - pig. Believe me, they say that this dish brings happiness to the family.
Sweden
On the day when Christmas is celebrated in Europe, in Sweden several generations gather at the festive table at once.
One of the symbols of the celebrations is the Christmas goat. The city of Gavle has become famous for the fact that for half a century a fabulous goat has been built on the main city square. The huge figure is made of straw. It is erected on Christmas fast. But the goat managed to celebrate Christmas only twelve times. For some reason, he becomes an attractive target for arsonists.
Christmas holidays opens with Lucia Day. This is the legendary Queen of Light. In Stockholm, Lucia is officially elected. She leads the parade on Christmas night. Lucia dresses up in white clothes. She wears a red belt and a crown with candles.
Another vintageSwedish tradition dates back to the time when people believed in gnomes. It was believed that these creatures live around. And in order to appease the house gnome Yultomten, they cooked rice porridge with almonds. A pot of treats was placed over the threshold. If it turned out to be empty, the dwarf will help the owners all year.
Now they put almonds in Christmas rice porridge. Whoever finds it in a plate can make a cherished wish.
After dinner, one of the adults, dressed as Yltomten, brings gifts to everyone.
Christmas is celebrated in different ways in European countries. But the feeling of solidarity, kindness and support is the same. And also - the desire for happiness.
