Your country or regional (Family Outing) Christmas Tradition?

[Kelda]

Hey guys.

Have just come back after a nice break at my aunts fo Christmas. While there, it struck me that in the UK we have a very British Christmas Tradition - the Pantomine. (This year we saw Cinderella with the kids - and the ugly sisters were brilliant!)

It doesn't matter what religion you are or if you are religious at all. But all us Brits enjoy a good Panto. But what do you do in other countries?

We get to boo at the wicked step mother or the ugly sisters or shout 'he's behind you' or 'oh no he didn't' and the Pantomine Dame or the hero (whic is often a woman dressed as a man for some reason!) or heroine of the story, or help Buttons or Dandini out in helping out the main character of the story.

Its great fun and the kids faces are always as good as the show itself.

My niece turned 5 years old 2 days ago - the day we went to the panto. So we gave her name to the person at the stage door and Prince Charming wished her a happy birthday in the middle of the performance - you should have seen her little face - "Prince Charming knows its my birthday!!" she said.

So, the question is.. what do you guys in other countries do as the typical family outing for Christmas? (that isn't visiting santa to tell him what presents the kids want)

[belbbmfan]

hi Kelda,

unfortunately no panto over here in Belgium. If there was, I'm sure I'd be a regular visitor. I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to take the kids to a pantomime. Mine would have no problem participating with all the shouting! 

Over the last couple of years, a lot of towns over here have organised a sort of Christmas market with an open air ice skating ring, fancy carousels and other wonderful things for kids and grown ups alike. In fact, the Brussels Winter Wonderland made the top list of English touroperators. We went there last year, it was very nice. The kids loved it.

But no really typical Belgian traditions like panto. We spend time with our families with lots of eating and drinking, same as everywhere i guess.

happy new year!

[Kelda]

hi Kelda,

unfortunately no panto over here in Belgium. If there was, I'm sure I'd be a regular visitor. I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to take the kids to a pantomime. Mine would have no problem participating with all the shouting! 

Over the last couple of years, a lot of towns over here have organised a sort of Christmas market with an open air ice skating ring, fancy carousels and other wonderful things for kids and grown ups alike. In fact, the Brussels Winter Wonderland made the top list of English touroperators. We went there last year, it was very nice. The kids loved it.

But no really typical Belgian traditions like panto. We spend time with our families with lots of eating and drinking, same as everywhere i guess.

happy new year!

a winterwonderland is pretty damn cool - I love the mini Christmas Markets we get over here that have travelled over to the UK. Must get to a real one at some point!!

[David In Indy]

Kelda -

I had NO idea what a Pantomime was until I asked my British friend sitting right next to me! 

I've never heard of it before. I wish we had those here. They sound like a lot of fun!

Since I am part Creole, we always placed luminaries along our driveway and sidewalk so Santa would see our house from his sleigh! We also kept the Yule Log, but we never lit it. Dad was afraid to leave a fire burning in the fireplace unattended. So we decorated the Yule log with holly and shiny ornaments.

Of course, since I am part Dutch, we ALWAYS celebrated Sinterklaas! For years, I really thought it was Sinterklaas. Later I realized it was my Grandpa dressed up in the Sinterklaas costume my great Grandfather brought with him from Arnhem.

I am also part Sioux, so we also observed the Lakota tradition of smudging the Nativity Scene with Sage on Christmas Eve night. We would fan the smoke towards the manger with the sacred Eagle feather and then respectfully place the feather next to the baby from Christmas Eve night until Christmas morning.

We always attended Mass on Christmas when I was young. Later, when I was older, I loved attending Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. I no longer follow my Catholic faith, and I haven't been to Mass for several years now; much to the chagrin of my relatives.

Now days, my Christmases are fairly ordinary; alot of partying and of course spending time with my father on Christmas Day.

But I still find myself listening for the sound of Schimmel's hoofs on my roof on Sinterklaas, or the sound of Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. I guess a part of me still believes! 

[Kelda]

Kelda -

Since I am part Creole, we always placed luminaries along our driveway and sidewalk so Santa would see our house from his sleigh! We also kept the Yule Log, but we never lit it. Dad was afraid to leave a fire burning in the fireplace unattended. So we decorated the Yule log with holly and shiny ornaments.

Of course, since I am part Dutch, we ALWAYS celebrated Sinterklaas! For years, I really thought it was Sinterklaas. Later I realized it was my Grandpa dressed up in the Sinterklaas costume my great Grandfather brought with him from Arnhem.

I am also part Sioux, so we also observed the Lakota tradition of smudging the Nativity Scene with Sage on Christmas Eve night. We would fan the smoke towards the manger with the sacred Eagle feather and then respectfully place the feather next to the baby from Christmas Eve night until Christmas morning.

thee traditions are cute and never heard of them before! It's nice to ahe little traditions like that!

yes a pantomine is really fun - your British friend is right!!!

 

[Kelda]

2007 bump!

[belbbmfan]

time flies, doesn't it? 

[Kelda]

time flies, doesn't it? 

I know!!!

[Ellemeno]

Kelda -

I had NO idea what a Pantomime was until I asked my British friend sitting right next to me! 

I've never heard of it before. I wish we had those here. They sound like a lot of fun!

Since I am part Creole, we always placed luminaries along our driveway and sidewalk so Santa would see our house from his sleigh! We also kept the Yule Log, but we never lit it. Dad was afraid to leave a fire burning in the fireplace unattended. So we decorated the Yule log with holly and shiny ornaments.

Of course, since I am part Dutch, we ALWAYS celebrated Sinterklaas! For years, I really thought it was Sinterklaas. Later I realized it was my Grandpa dressed up in the Sinterklaas costume my great Grandfather brought with him from Arnhem.

I am also part Sioux, so we also observed the Lakota tradition of smudging the Nativity Scene with Sage on Christmas Eve night. We would fan the smoke towards the manger with the sacred Eagle feather and then respectfully place the feather next to the baby from Christmas Eve night until Christmas morning.

We always attended Mass on Christmas when I was young. Later, when I was older, I loved attending Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. I no longer follow my Catholic faith, and I haven't been to Mass for several years now; much to the chagrin of my relatives.

Now days, my Christmases are fairly ordinary; alot of partying and of course spending time with my father on Christmas Day.

But I still find myself listening for the sound of Schimmel's hoofs on my roof on Sinterklaas, or the sound of Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. I guess a part of me still believes! 

David, this is the most beautiful post.  I always get the sense that you have had a wonderful family who embraced all parts of its culture. 

Clarissa

[Kelda]

bump!

The UK has pantos - what do you do?