Christmas in other countries!

HO,HO,HO!!Crazy students wish you a Happy New Year!!

Let's talk about Christmas in the other countries!!

ICELAND

Christmas or Yule  is a celebration starting four Sundays before the 24th  and ending thirteen days later or on January 6. Traditionally Icelanders will light four candles one each Sunday until the 24th. At 6:00 pm Church bells ring at that time and people either sit down for holiday dinner or attend mass at a church  . After that they open gifts and spend the evening together. In Iceland people over the Yule holidays most often eat Most popular dishes are smoked lamb, ptarmigan and turkey. Pork is also very popular.

ROMANIA AND MOLDAVA

Christmas in Romania is on December 25 and is generally considered the second most important religious Romanian holiday after Easter. In Moldova, although Christmas is celebrated on 25 December like in Romania, 7 January is also recognized as an official holiday . Celebrations begin with the decoration of the Christmas tree during daytime on 24 December, and in the evening (Christmas Eve, in Romanian: Ajunul Crăciunului) Moş Crăciun (Father Christmas) delivers the presents.The singing of carols is a very important part of Romanian Christmas festivities. On the first day of Christmas, many carolers walk through the streets of the towns and villages, holding a star made of cardboard and paper on which are depicted various scenes from the Bible. Romanian tradition has the smallest children going from house to house, singing carols and reciting poems and legends during the whole Christmas season. The leader of the group carries with him a star made of wood, covered with metal foil and decorated with bells and coloured ribbons. An image of the Nativity is painted on the star's centre, and this piece of handiwork is attached to the end of a broom or other long stick.

Portugal

Christmas , an official holiday in Portugal , is widely celebrated and is associated with family gathering. People who have moved to the main cities, like Lisbon or Porto , or even those who have emigrated to other countries, still travel to their home towns and villages to spend Christmas Eve with their families. After the Missa do Galo (Rooster's Mass) that celebrates the birth of Christ, families gather around the Consoada , the late supper held on Christmas Eve. The traditional dish is Bacalhau com todos, although, in northern Portugal, the Bacalhau is often replaced by octopus. The Christmas dinner usually ends with Fatias Douradas (golden slices), Filhoses and Sonhos (dreams), all deserts based on fried flour or fried bread. Another traditional cake is the king cake served on Epiphany. Nowadays, Santa Claus or Pai Natal is most popular among children but, nevertheless, in some regions, people still believe that is the Menino Jesus (Baby Jesus) that brings presents to children.