Christmas around the world ForestNation

& the WinterWONDERWoodland campaign

Present…

Christmas Around the World!

AustraliaIt is summer in

Australia at Christmas time so it is very, very hot. Families often go

to the beach on Christmas Day and instead of having a

hot roast turkey dinner they have a

barbeque!

AustraliaAustralian children

aren’t looking to the skies for Santa’s sleigh – they are watching the

waves! In Australia, Santa arrives on a surfboard or a sled pulled by six white

kangaroos.

Brazilian children don’t say Merry Christmas like we do in the UK.

Instead they say…

Feliz Natal!

Brazil

Brazilian children call Santa Claus ‘Papai Noel’ and like in

Australia, they celebrate Christmas during their

summer time so it is very hot.

In fact, it is so hot that Santa wears red silk instead of his

usual cosy winter clothes!

Brazil

Chinese children don’t say Merry Christmas like we do in the UK

either. Instead they say…

Shang Dan Jiang!

China

Children in China don’t decorate Christmas trees. They use bright coloured

paper lanterns with candles insight to decorate instead.

They hang stockings up for Santa just like we do

in the UK though!

China

Chinese children have a different name for Santa

than we do – they call him Sheng Dan Lao Ren which means “old man

Christmas”!

China

In China people still go to work and children go to

school on Christmas Day.

This is because China is a Buddhist country.

Don’t worry – they get a holiday for Chinese New

Year instead!

China

French children don’t say Merry Christmas like we do in the UK.

Instead they say…

Joyeux Noel!

France

The Christmas tree isn’t as popular in France, but many

families in the south of France burn a Yule Log in their fireplace

from Christmas Eve until New Years Day. A long time ago, part of the log was used to make the

wedge for the plough as good luck for the coming harvest.

France

le sapin Père Noël un cadeau

une étoile

un renne un traîneau

France

German children don’t say Merry Christmas like we do in the UK.

Instead they say…

Fröliche Weihnachten!

Germany

German children wait for St. Nicholas rather than Santa

Claus to deliver their presents.

As well as the presents under the tree, German children put

their shoes outside their rooms to be filled with small presents – just like UK children do with

stockings!

Germany

Norweigan children don’t say Merry Christmas like we do in the

UK. Instead they say…

God Jul!

Norway

It is traditional in Norway to ‘circle the tree’ before

opening presents. Families stand in a big circle around

the Christmas Tree, hold hands and walk or dance

around the tree whilst singing Christmas carols.

Norway

Every year the people of Oslo, Norway give London a huge

Christmas tree which is put up in Trafalgar Square. During the Second

World War King Haakon of Norway and was thrown off the throne, he

ran away from the fighting and came to Britain. Since 1947 we have been sent a giant Norwegian Spruce as a

great big thank you for looking after him so well.

Norway

Dutch children don’t say Merry Christmas like we do in the UK.

Instead they say…

Zalig Kerstfeest!

Netherlands

The main Christmas celebration in the

Netherlands is held on 6th December, but Dutch

children also celebrate Sinterklaasavond which is

like our Christmas Eve.

Netherlands

The name Santa Claus comes from the Dutch word Sinterklaas which means St.

Nicholas.

St. Nicholas is who many people consider to be the

first known Santa Claus.

Netherlands

Just like German children, Dutch

children leave their shoes out in the hope

that Sinterklaas will leave chocolates and treats for them. They

also leave a carrot for Sinterklaas’ reindeer.

Netherlands