The Christmas season is celebrated in many different countries and cultures around the world. In France, for example, families gather to have a special feast on Christmas Eve and eat a traditional dessert called ‘Bûche de Noël’ – a buttercream-filled cake shaped and frosted to look like a Christmas log. In Haiti, children place their polished shoes filled with straw under the Christmas tree. They hope that Santa Claus will remove the straw and put treats and gifts inside the shoes. In Spain, many people walk through the streets after Midnight Mass, or ‘La Misa Del Gallo’, on Christmas Eve singing Christmas carols, playing the guitars, drums, and tambourines to celebrate. In Australia, December 25th comes in the middle of the kids’ summer holidays! This is why many families gather for camping trips, picnics outdoors and at the beach to celebrate the Christmas festivities. Jewish tradition includes celebrating Hanukkah, also known as “The Festival of Lights”. This holiday is celebrated for eight days and nights during which children enjoy playing the Dreidel game with their families. Each country has its own unique and special way of celebrating the holidays. No matter how we celebrate, we all share the magic and wonder of this festive season!
