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How Do You Celebrate Christmas?
Ellemeno:
Chrissi, thanks for posting this. I enjoyed it very much. I especially was inspired by how you took what was not a very happy time for you as a child, and transformed it in to a positive, special time for yourself and your own children, adapting it all to what works for you, i.e. Third Christmas Holiday.
I cannot imagine a single store in America being closed from the afternoon of the 24th, to the 27th. That sounds kind of cozy.
David In Indy:
Thank You Chrissi for telling us about Christmas in Germany!
I think it is very interesting to read and hear how people in other countries celebrate Christmas. I was really interested in reading about how the Christ Child delivers the presents in Germany. I also like how people in Germany stretch Christmas out over several days. Unfortunately here in the US, Christmas is often over as soon as the last present has been opened. I wish we would continue to celebrate Christmas for two or three days, like you all do in Germany.
I remember someone telling me that Christmas is actually 12 days long, and Christmas day is only the first day of Christmas. I suppose this is why someone wrote the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas". But Americans seem to forget about all of that, and we tend to cram the 12 days of Christmas into a couple of hours, and then it is over until next year. I'm glad this is not the case in Germany.
Thanks again for your post Chrissi! :D
David In Indy:
Geri, I didn't know you were from Ireland! :D
I remember you told me you were born in London. You do look very Irish though (at least you do in your picture). Do you include any Irish Christmas customs in your holiday celebrations?
That was a beautiful story about your childhood Christmas tree. Oh, I feel so sorry for your brother. His curiosity got the best of him, didn't it? My cat Oreo feels compelled to climb my Christmas tree. He knocked it over last year. He will lay under the tree off and on for several days until he works up enough bravery to climb up it. He will only get about half way up the tree though, then his weight will shift the tree and it will fall over. I watched him do it last year, but by the time I caught him it was too late. The tree was already on its way down.
I haven't put my Christmas tree up yet this year. But I'm sure he will try and do it again sooner or later. He's very curious. :)
Arad-3:
David~
You are right, I was born in London England. It was a pit stop for my parents before coming to the US. They were born and raised in Dublin Ireland. They left Ireland to look for better jobs at the time. My aunt met someone who was in the US Airforce and was stationed in NY. She moved here first and my parents followed with us kids.
Maybe they were not really prepared to come here, and found it more difficult at first then they planned on.
We really don't have any Irish customs besides drinking and fighting alot on the holidays! Just kidding David! My father came from a family of eleven children and I don't think they had enough money to follow or make too many customs.
We used to go to midnight mass every year. i really enjoyed that, but now they dont have it in my town anymore. Seeing we don't have alot of relatives here we don't have big family gatherings .. And now with both mom and dad gone I really don't know what everrybodys doing this year. I do know a first cousin from Dublin is coming the day after christmas. So that will be nice!
My cat Ricky never bothers with the tree. he lays under it but he doesn't try climbing it. This is his third christmas tree and I was worried at first he would , but he hasn't yet. :) but we do get him presents and wrap them .He opens them with us on Christmas Eve.
Penthesilea:
--- Quote from: David925 on December 03, 2006, 03:10:05 pm ---
I think it is very interesting to read and hear how people in other countries celebrate Christmas.
--- End quote ---
Yes, I also love the Christmas stories from all of you. Keep them coming.
--- Quote ---I was really interested in reading about how the Christ Child delivers the presents in Germany. I also like how people in Germany stretch Christmas out over several days. Unfortunately here in the US, Christmas is often over as soon as the last present has been opened. I wish we would continue to celebrate Christmas for two or three days, like you all do in Germany.
--- End quote ---
We also have traditions for the weeks before Christmas (Advent time). I just posted about our first Advent on another thread. It's here:
http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php?topic=6112.msg123914#msg123914
--- Quote ---I remember someone telling me that Christmas is actually 12 days long, and Christmas day is only the first day of Christmas. I suppose this is why someone wrote the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas". But Americans seem to forget about all of that, and we tend to cram the 12 days of Christmas into a couple of hours, and then it is over until next year. I'm glad this is not the case in Germany.
--- End quote ---
I never heard about Christmas being 12 days. For me it always has been three days. Better than one day anyway. One day is much too short for Christmas :o.
--- Quote ---Thanks again for your post Chrissi! :D
--- End quote ---
You're welcome.
Next Wednesday it is Nikolaus day in Germany. I'll tell you about it then.
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