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Christmas is coming this month! Are you guys buzzing? Feeling Christmassy? Do you know what Christmas is? Everybody feels happy, smiles, loves each other on this day. I believe that Christmas has a kind of magic to make people happy. Originally Christmas is for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ by Christians on 25th December but now millions of people in the world celebrate it even if they are not Christians. I interviewed some students about their Christmas.
Overall, the majority of countries spend time in a similar way on Christmas day. People spend time with family and have a big dinner on 24th to 25th of December. However, in Korea and Japan, people normally celebrate it with couple or friends. Most restaurants and bars are opened on Christmas day in Korea and Japan so people go out, get drunk and stay out late. By the way what I did on last Christmas day was work at a cake shop until late night and then ate a cake alone in my room. Mind you, I was not sad or miserable.
What I’m interested in is food, which is quite different in each countries. In Colombia, they’ve got a special pudding called “natilla”. It is the most popular Christmas dish and is served with something like a doughnut called “buñoelos” which is also popular Christmas food. In Spain, especially in Catalonia, they have nice and expensive seafood and main dish “canelones”. They eat it on 26th December when is a traditional holiday in Catalonia. In France and Switzerland, they drink a lot, my French and Swiss friends told me. I asked them if they have got traditional Christmas foods and they said “no.” but said “we drink a lot. Amazingly.” In Venezuela, at New Year, people eat twelve grapes with a bell striking at 12am and make a wish. It is so beautiful stuff, isn’t it?
As I said before, I have got a belief that Christmas has a certain magic. In the Czech Republic, they cut an apple and if there is a star shape in the middle, it means you will have luck in the year. Also, you stand with your back a short distance from the door and throw your shoe to the door. If the toe of the shoe points at the door, you will have luck, maybe can get married. Why don’t you try that this year?
By the way, have you watched Sainsbury’s Christmas adverts on YouTube yet? Some of them are short adverts but one is like a film which is about 45 minutes long. They are amazing and touching. Please don’t click “skip advert” and watch it
Click the picture to view in full size. Source: allianceabroad.com