One world, Many holiday traditions
While the meaning of Christmas is pretty much the same all around the world, the traditions and beliefs can be very different.
Did you know that in Germany, as well as having Christmas Day on Dec 25, they also have a day on Dec 6th called St Nicolaus Day. The night before, children leave a wooden shoe out and they get filled with yummy things if they are good and twigs if they have been naughty.
In Spanish celebrations, dinner is made on Christmas Eve but is never eaten before midnight. Then a grand lunch is prepared on the afternoon of Christmas Day. Children there dont have Santa Claus as part of their tradition, instead is it Three Wise Men who arrive on the eve of January 6th bearing gifts.
As we in the North feel the nip of winter, in the Southern Hemisphere of the earth, Christmas is considered a summer holiday.
In Australia, people flock to the beach, fire up their barbeques and dawn bathing suits and shorts. Festive meals are eaten outdoors and they do observe traditional carol singing with a few of their own songs thrown in as well. Here is one you might like to listen to.
Six White Boomers sung by the wonderful Rolf Harris
If you would like to read more about Christmas around the world then I think you will the pages in this link below. There are loads of interesting facts, games, crafts, music and colouring pages here.
Homemade Gifts for Chefs Young and Old
Nothing like a gift that comes from the heart, or the kitchen for that matter.
A friend named Joe told me about this recipe for Spiced Russian Tea. I thought it would be something nice and simple for kids to start out on.
Place the mix in a jam jar, include the” how to make” instructions and tie some raffia or a festive ribbon for a sweet present. Oh, and you could certainly use sugar free versions of the tang and kool-aid mix. And the additional sugar can be adjusted or substituted with your favourite sweetener.
RUSSIAN TEA MIX (DRY) |
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1/2 c. instant tea
2 c. Tang orange breakfast drink 1 pkg. sweetened lemonade mix (kool-aid) 2 c. sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. ground cloves 1 tsp. allspice
Mix well and store in air tight container. Use 1 tablespoon in 8 ounces boiling water for 1 cup of tea.
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Find this recipe and more at www.cooks.com
And what better thing to have with your tea than a crumbly, melt in your mouth shortbread cookie. This is my own recipe for a quick to make whipped version. My mom and I make these every year for Christmas time and they are the first ones to dissappear from the tray.
*** Festive Shortbread Drops***
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F ( 175 degrees C )
1 cup of softened butter
1/2 cup sifted confectioners( icing) sugar
1/4 cup corn starch
3/4 cup sifted all purpose flour
1. Cream all ingredients at once to combine and then beat to a light and fluffy constistency 5-10 minutes.
2. Drop teaspoon sized mounds 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 12-15 minutes. They should be lightly brown on the bottom and be ever so slightly soft on top as they will firm up nicely once cooled on a baking rack.
4. Store in an air tight plastic tub.
5. If desired, have the young ones top them with coloured sugar, crushed candy canes or candied cherry halves before baking.
Makes about: 36 cookies
***THESE ALSO WILL MAKE AN IRRESISTABLE GIFT! Layer the cooled cookies between waxed paper and present them in a pretty box or a decorated paper bag. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months so make plenty in advance.
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Here also is a link for making cookies look like very cute
christmas mice…
I just might have to give them a try this year. But, make sure your cat knows they are people food only 
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E-Book: Kids Christmas Activities and Games.
Wake up the dreary day and treat your kids to some printable Christmas cheer!
This is probably the most well designed collection of cute, colourful worksheets that I have ever seen. Featuring word searches, Sudoku, mazes, board games and much more. There is even a nice selection of lined writing pages, gift tags and greeting cards.
You simply make a one time purchase, download for instant access and then print, as many copies as you need.
I would even say that this ebook would make a lovely gift for any teacher or child on your list.
To order Kids Christmas Activities and Games *** Click Here!***
Welcome to my Christmas blog. Now, let’s get this snowball rolling!
Slide into your slippers and snuggle into your blankets…the weather is definitely getting colder!
Very soon, the warmth of the holiday season will be here to bring welcome joy. Why not start things off with a place for families young and old to explore?
My blog will inspire you to create a truly magical celebration. So get yourselves something hot and cosy to sip, sit back and have a very Merry Christmas.
Beginning with a look at my page of course….and be sure to check back here often because there will be plenty of fun things to keep you and the kids amused in the coming weeks.
Can’t wait for mother nature to bring the snow? Perhaps you just live in a warm place and would like a taste of Christmas in Canada. Try these fun activities
Click below for links to colouring pages:
Visit here http://www.milliande-printables.com/Christmas-Coloring-Pages-Printables.html and scroll to the middle of the page for more colouring. I think you will find Milliandes artwork to be full of natural spirit, her entire site is worth a look….
Also do check out this Frosty the Snowman Activity Book, great fun for kids during long travel periods or when the weather turns a bit too frightful to go outside and play. You can download and print the booklet here…
Now the best one for last! Here is a really fun way to let your creative juices flow, and well…I warn you it is addictive:
