Christmas Tree Traditions in Italy

In Italy, the presepio (manger or crib) represents in miniature the Holy Family in the stable and is the center of Christmas for families. Guests kneel before it and musicians sing before it . The presepio figures are usually hand-carved and very detailed in features and dress. The scene is often set out in the shape of a triangle. It provides the base of a pyramid-like structure called the ceppo. This is a wooden frame arranged to make a pyramid several feet high. Several tiers of thin shelves are supported by this frame. It is entirely decorated with colored paper, gilt pine cones and miniature colored pennants. Small candles are fastened to the tapering sides. A star or small doll is hung at the apex of the triangular sides. The shelves above the manger scene have small gifts of fruit, candy and presents. The ceppo is in the old Tree of Light tradition which became the Christmas tree in other countries. Some houses even have a ceppo for each child in the family.

Christmas Tree Traditions in Germany

Many Christmas traditions practiced around the world today started in Germany. It has been long thought that Martin Luther began the tradition of bringing a fir tree into the home. According to one legend, late one evening Martin Luther was walking home through the woods and noticed how beautifully the stars shined through the trees. He wanted to share the beauty with his wife so he cut down a fir tree and took it home. Once inside he placed small lighted candles on the branches and said that it would be a symbol of the beautiful Christmas sky. Hence, the Christmas tree.

Another legend says that in the early sixteenth century, people in Germany combined two customs that had been practiced in different countries around the globe. The Paradise tree (a fir tree decorated with apples) represented the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. The Christmas Light, a small pyramid-like frame, usually decorated with glass balls and tinsel and with a candle on top, was a symbol of the birth of Christ as the Light of the World. Changing the tree’s apples to tinsel balls and cookies; and combining this new tree with the Light placed on top, the Germans created the tree that many of us know now.

Today, the Tannenbaum (Christmas Tree) is traditionally decorated in secret with lights, tinsel and ornaments by the mother and is lit and revealed on Christmas Eve with cookies, nuts and gifts under its branches.

Christmas Songs - Twelve Days After Christmas

The first day after Christmas my true love and I had a fight,

And so I chopped the pear tree down and burned it just for spite.

Then with a single cartridge, I shot that blasted partridge,

My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

The second day after Christmas, I pulled on the old rubber gloves,

And very gently wrung the necks of both the turtle doves.

My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

The third day after Christmas, my mother caught the croup;

I had to use the three Frech hens to make some chicken soup.

The four calling birds were a big mistake,

for their language was obscene.

The five gold rings were completely fake and they turned my fingers green .

The sixth day after Christmas, the six laying geese wouldn't lay,

I gave the whole darn gaggle to the A.S.P.C.A.

On the seventh day what a mess I found,

All seven of the swimming swans had drowned.

My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

The eighth day after Christmas, before they could suspect,

I bundled up the eight maids a milking, nine pipers piping, Ten ladies dancing, 'leven lords a leaping, Twelve drummers drumming and sent them back collect.

I wrote my true love, "We are through, love",

and I said in so many words,

"Furthermore your Christmas gifts were for the birds!"

Christmas Songs Download - The Twelve Days Of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
2nd Two turtle doves
3rd Three French hens
4th Four calling birds
5th Five golden rings
6th Six geese a-laying
7th Seven swans a-swimming
8th Eight maids a-milking
9th Nine ladies dancing
10th Ten lords a-leaping
11th Eleven pipers piping
12th Twelve drummers drumming


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Christmas Tree Traditions in South Africa

Christmas is a summer holiday in South Africa. Although Christmas trees are not common, windows are often draped with sparkling cotton, wool, and tinsel.

Christmas Songs - The Holly And The Ivy

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.

O the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Savior.

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood;
Any Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good.

The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas day in the morn.

The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.

Christmas Songs - The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year

A packful of toys means a sackful of joys
For millions of girls and for millions of boys
When Christmas Day is here
The most wonderful day of the year!

A jack in the box waits for children to shout,
"Wake up, don't you know that it's time to come out!"
When Christmas Day is here
The most wonderful day of the year!

Toys galore
Scattered on the floor
There's no room for more
And it's all because of Santa Claus!

A scooter for Jimmy, a dolly for Sue
The kind that will even say "How do you do."
When Christmas Day is here
The most wonderful day of the year.

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