'Tis the season...

[raVen_image]

Yea, though Christmas is the primary holiday in the United States, we are a multicultural nation after all.



Christmas, here, is mostly a time for gift giving, visiting relatives and festive traditions. My family tends to put up a tree and decorate it with lights and ornaments around the 15th. We adorn the rooms and halls in a similar fashion. The tree used to be an evergreen, but lately, we use a false tree that looks like the real thing. From that time until the 24th, we place our gifts under the tree. On the 24th (Christmas Eve) we gather to play games, sing songs, and reminisce about old times. We also share in the preparation of the next day's feast with many courses, including crackers and cheeses, salads, mashed potatoes, ham, pies, and cookies. On the 25th, we gather around the tree and open each other’s gifts. Afterwards, we snack throughout the day on the food we prepared the night before. We wait until January 2nd to take down and store the decorations and the tree.



Like the United States, this message board is multicultural. There are many different ways to celebrate this season and I'm willing to bet that there are many different traditions that each of you observe. While most of us observe different practices, I'm curious to see how much we also share in common. Tell us about your traditional holiday. What do you do? When do you celebrate? What do you eat? How does your culture celebrate throughout December and January?

[Monkey Face]

In Australia, I normally buy gifts for all our school mates. Normally just a card and a candy-cane. My family always put up a tree and some decorations around the house. We place all the presents we recieve under the tree and open the on Christmas day.



On Cristmas day, I normally wake up at the early time of half past six. Dad gets out the video camera and records us opening our presents which he has done for last seven years. Durin the day, my grandparents usually come up for lunch. We usually have a roast for dinner, and after that we go to mass.



We normally take down the tree about a week later.

[MurrayBwahahahahahahahaha]

I guess I have a real easy-going family, in that we don't have any real traditions other than Christmas Eve at our father's house, and on Christmas morning, he takes us to our mother's house to spend Christmas day there. Because of divorced parents, my siblings and I have Christmas twice.



The tree comes and goes whenever we have the time and motivation to do it. The tree at my mother's house (right behind me) is already up. Unusually early this year. Food is usually some roast fowl, and all the usual goodies of mashed potatoes, stuffing, peas, and whatever else happens to be on hand.



My favorite part about Christmas is the television. The clay-mation specials they have are always worth watching, over and over again. Who could ever forget about Nester, the Long Eared Christmas Donkey? I would like to see some Channukah Christmas specials...Seeing as we are in the seventh day and all.

[Radish]

Christmas is even celebrated in Japan. They have Christmas CAKE!!

[raVen_image]

To our Danish friends (and to everyone) I say,

"Glaedelig Jul" or

"Glædelig Jul og godt nytår "

for today is December 6th, in which they celebrate St. Nicholas Day



This festival marks the birthday of St. Nicholas, a Catholic bishop who was especially kind to children. Unlike the merry fat Santa Claus who visits children with gifts at Christmas, St. Nicholas is portrayed as a tall, thin man.



Click here for the Japanese traditions



= Merry Christmas in Japanese

[Booga]

Ah... Christmas. My favourite time of the year. Last year, on Christmas Eve, I thought about Christmas. It only comes once a year. It'll be whole year, a whole 365 days until this occasion comes again... Then, I guess, I went to sleep, because I'm not quite sure what happened after I thought about it.



Christmas is usually the only other time other than summer (I live in the Northern Hemisphere) when I get to see my one and only first cousin, and my aunts, who don't live in the same area as I do. Sometimes they come over for Christmas, sometimes we visit them. If it's at our house, we have a real tree; if it's at their's, we have a fakie.



But Christmas is usually the same at both places. Sometimes we wake up early at Christmas, sometimes we sleep in. Whenever we wake up, we head downstairs in our pyjamas, grab our presents, and start opening them. I always feel so many feelings at this time of the year... the kind that makes it seem hard to breathe. I don't know. It's full of love, I guess. Full of love and tradition...

[Kenderlord]

Chanukkah in Hebrew means "Dedication". This holiday celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by the syrians. Popular legend has transformed the story of Chanukkah into a bit of a jewish propaganda story, seeing as the "evil" Syrian king Antiochus was actually trying to prevent the extremist conservative jews from killing the assimilated hellenistic jews as opposed to going into Judea to exterminate all of Jewkind... but i won't go into that. We're talking about jewish culture here.

Okay. So the main hoo-hah about Chanukkah is the candles. This stems from the MIRACLE OF CHANUKKAH. After fighting a series of courageous guerilla battles, Judah Maccabee (roughly translated as Josh The Hammer) and his family retook the temple and began to pray in it again. But there was a problem. The sacred candelabra called the menorah needed to be lit perpetually, and there was only enough lamp oil to last for one day. Another batch could be made in about a week's time. but Miracle of miracles! the little oil jug lasted eight days, so that there was time to make more oil.

So in honor of that occasion, we Jews light special candelabras called Hanukkiot (anglicized as Hanukkias, because some people find it easier to think of it as a plural that way), putting in another candle every night for eight nights.

To keep up with the christians in america and in europe, jews began giving each other presents on chanukkah, because many of the children were disillusioned with judaism after seeing how grand and glorious christmas was. So chanukkah gift-giving is only, say 180 years old.

One basic staple of chanukkah entertainment is playing with a dreidel, which is a four-sided top with 4 different hebrew letters on it, which all together stand for "Nesh Gadol Haya Sham", or "A Great miracle happened there". In israel of course, the dreidels are letter differently. They say "Nesh Gadol Haya PO" which means "A great miracle happened HERE."

If you want me to give you the rules of dreidel-playing, please ask and i will be happy to post it. My wrists are getting sore, though.

Let's see... What do we eat. Latkes, for one thing. For those of you who don't know (latke is a pretty esoteric word, so i'll assume that most of you have no knowledge of latkes. This will not be on the quiz later today.), a latke is a potato pancake. Well... not a pancake. Immediately that makes it sound icky. The only resemblance a Latke has to a pancake is in shape.

It is basically, a conglomerate of shredded potato and onion, mixed with matzah meal (unleavened flatbread pounded into a coarse powder) and a few other things that are part of my mother's secret recipe. (that is to say, i don't remember right now.) The latke is then fried in (we use canola) oil, and eaten hot, sometimes with applesauce (COLD applesauce is a must).

Traditionally, in the past, Jews would make Sufganyot, or doughnuts. Yeah. The jews invented doughnuts. Although if the jews hadn't invented it in the first place someone else would have anyway. But these aren't your regular doughnuts. They are basically just circular strips of dough fried in oil, and sugared. Sometimes eaten with jelly or applesauce. We don't make sufganyot. I think it's because they're REALLY REALLY BAD FOR YOU... I don't think our family EVER deep-fries anything. Even latkes are made in a skillet. I suppose that on chanukkah one eats oily food because of the whole oil-miracle thing. Hm. if only that worked with lightbulbs....

So that's about it. We light candles, eat, open presents, hug, eat, play with dreidels, eat, and have a whole lot of fun.

[raVen_image]

To our Muslim friends, I say, " Aas Salam U Alaikum ", which means "peace be upon you."



This is a bit belated. They have just celebrated Eid al-Fitr, a feast that marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting. (How do they do that?) The festival commonly lasts three days.



Eid Al-Fitr is all about celebrating the good things received from God’s (Allah’s) bounty and family and friends. Every household who can afford it must pay a form of tax in the days leading up to Eid. It is a very small amount, and is paid for each person in the family. Traditionally the tax was in the form of food, although most people now give the equivalent in money. The money or food is given to poor people, so that they can celebrate Eid, too.



Many people decorate their houses for Eid. Everyone has new clothes for Eid. The last few nights of Ramadan it is almost impossible to get into the shops, as everyone is buying their clothes. A complete outfit is normal, right down to the shoes, and even the headscarves for the women.



On the morning of Eid, everyone gets up very early to go to the prayers. These are special prayers, held only at Eid. They are held only in very big mosques, or in large open areas, such as football stadiums. They are held about 80 minutes after sunrise, so in the summer months it is very early.



After the prayers everyone goes home to eat breakfast and then the celebrations really begin. It isn’t common for children to receive gifts. Instead they receive money. The money should be in the form of a brand new bank note or coins. The amount given is small, usually in the region of about $3, but still they get plenty. Everyone who visits the children, or everyone whom they visit, gives then the gift of money. In a large extended family, with lots of friends, the children can end up with a small fortune!



Sometime around midmorning people start to go out visiting. They visit neighbors and friends in the morning. At each visit special cakes are eaten, and the children receive their money. The visits are very short as there are plenty to make. Dinner is spent with family. The traditional meal varies from country to country, the only standard thing being the special cakes. Each day of the holiday is spent with a different branch of the family, so that everyone gets visited. In the evening the visits start up again. This goes on for three days, but money is normally only given to the children on the first two days.



In between visiting, people make trips out into the streets. Many streets have a sort of fair going, with music, dancing, fireworks, kids' games and much more. Here the children get to spend their money. They buy candy, soft drinks, toys and rides. Everyone has great fun, and the children are always disappointed when it is over. The adults, on the other hand, are usually worn out and glad of the rest!



(Boy ... all this sounds very familiar)





Also, today marks the end of Channukah.



Blessings to you all.

[Dalixam]

Thanks for the Danish greeting, raVen

I see you figured it out even though we have those special letters. "...og godt nytår" means "and a happy New Year" in case someone was curious



Our family celebrates Christmas in a rather traditional Danish way. On the 23rd we drag a dead tree into the living room and decorate its corpse with glitter, Christmas balls, Danish flags, and a lot of other ornaments. Then on the 24th we eat duck or roasted pork or both.



For desert we have "risalamande" which is kind of a rice pudding. The pudding is filled with chopped almonds and one whole almond. The one who gets the whole almond gets a small present. Very fun to watch as people try to find the almond when they're scooping pudding from the bowl to their plate and we're always accusing each other of hiding the almond in the side of our mouths



Afterwards we do the dishes and relax a bit while the food settles in our filled stomachs. But we're not done yet.



We then gather in a circle around the Christmas tree holding hands and dance around while we sing Christmas carrols...Very amusing as none of us can sing and we have to hold hands while we also try to hold a book with the lyrics



Finally, we settle down in couches, chairs, and other sitable devices and someone starts handing out the presents from under the tree. Yes, we give the presents on the night of the 24th and not on the morning of the 25th as in the US. I don't know what the custom is in other European countries, but this is the way it's done in Denmark.



We try to arrange it so that we take turns opening one present while the others watch. That way it lasts longer and is more fun than if everybody just ripped the wrapping of theirs in one big dust cloud. Then it would be over in 5 minuttes.



We then go to bed tired and full of food. The next day we just relax and enjoy our presents

[McPirate]

Dalixam: That is exactly how it is done in Norway too. (except that we eat the rice-pudding (more like porrige really...) on the 23.

[MurrayBwahahahahahahahaha]

This is a bit belated. They have just celebrated Eid al-Fitr, a feast that marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting. (How do they do that?)

I'm sure you probably know this, but Ramadan means you fast during the day. So basically it's one meal a day, or none at all. I'll stick with Yom Kippur.

Yes, we give the presents on the night of the 24th and not on the morning of the 25th as in the US. I don't know what the custom is in other European countries, but this is the way it's done in Denmark.

I mentioned that I do this at my dad's house, because the next morning we go to my mom's house and have Christmas there. I know a few people who have the same tradition as you, Dalx (minus the out-of-key singing and rice pudding). But, it is custom to do everything on the 25th.



I'm sure someone could throw out some information about the history of Christmas. I heard that Jesus was really born in mid-Spring, and that Christmas is based on a bunch of Roman holidays combined. It was a political move to make Christmas. Eh, screw it. It's fun anyways. ...star of wonder, star of light...

[raVen_image]

... basically it's one meal a day ...

o:) Quite right, so it is. Thank you, MurrayBwa of the nine "ha"s. Good information. Which leads me to...



I originally intended this thread as a cultural sounding-board for everyone to announce their ways of celebrating this time of year. It was meant to be like the "What country are you from? thread, but with a seasonal theme and more educational value. I was curious to share our differences and similarities during the month of December.



My curiousity has not been satiated yet, so I have been studying on my own. I began to realise that there are many cultures that may not be represented by our membership. My new plan is to fill in the gaps for those cultures ... kind of like an Advent Calendar for the world's many December rituals. I still hope that more people will present themselves and their traditions here, but if they don't ... then I will try.



My problem with doing this is that I am an outsider to most of these practices and faiths. I can only write condenced and cold descriptions from what I have read about them. I am bound to be inaccurate. The traditions presented by you, Monkey Face, Booga, Kenderlord, and Dalixam are delivered with more richness and warmth than I could have done. I hope more people will present their faiths and traditions, here.

...Christmas is based on a bunch of Roman holidays combined

That's one theory. But, I will not be mentioning EVERY Roman holiday of this month ... OY! Roman holidays are legion ( pun intended ) However, if no one else presents that information by the 17th, then I have something prepared regarding that historical tidbit.

====================================================================================



Now:

For our Buddhist neighbors ... erm ... "May All Beings Be Illuminated?" (I don't know the correct greeting)



Rohatsu (sometimes called Bodhi Day) occurs today, and marks the end of a week-long observance. This day set aside to commemorate Shakyamuni Buddha's awakening 2500 years ago during his ascetic training, when he saw the morning star. Many Zen centers and Sanghas will (or have) organized a Rohatsu sesshin to mark this "holiday." I'm afraid that I don't know much about Zen rituals, but they are usually quiet and solemn days of meditation and prayer.





Also, I say "Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum." (Hail Mary, full of grace. May the Lord be with you.) to our Catholic friends, for today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.



As the name implies, this is the day that Roman Catholics honor the Virgin Mary's conception within her mother. In the Constitution Ineffabilis Deus of 8 December, 1854, Pope Pius IX pronounced and defined that the Blessed Virgin Mary "in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin."



Unlike the Buddhist traditions, I know Catholic rituals all too well. I practiced them until age seven. Basically, it's a day of prayer in reverence to the Mother of Jesus. We would don our Rosaries (a necklace of beads whose meaning is not really important here) and dress up in nice clothes. We would attend Mass with a food offering, which was placed in the common area of the cathedral. Our service would consist of prayers, singing psalms, and taking communion. If you don't know, Catholics take communion every Sunday and on holiday Masses. The ritual is taking a small sip of grape juice (or wine) and eating a bread wafer, to represent blending our spirit with the blood and body of the Christ. Afterward, the congregation would gather in the common area and we would share the food we brought.

Whether you agree or not, the Catholics see Mary as a Saint, and honor her very highly as the "Mother of Emanuel". There are dozens of feasting days devoted to Mary but, this feast was the only one that I remember celebrating every year.



A traditional prayer:

Father, you prepared the Virgin Mary to be the worthy mother of your Son.

You let her share beforehand in the salvation Christ would bring by his death,

and kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception.

Help us by her prayers to live in your presence without sin.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.



Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

[FaNaTiC]

My holiday "rituals" if you will.. are rather ordinary for those who celebrate Christmas. We set up a fake Christmas tree (Everyone in my family is allergic to the real ones) and decorate it with the ornaments that we've had forever. Each year we go out and buy a new one and hang it on the tree. We set up lights outside and I have some in my room. We go shopping all at different times in order to buy presents for eachother and our friends. Then we wrap them and put them under the tree. There is no set date for this. Sometimes we go to visit family, such as this year when my Grandparents and Aunt, Uncle, and cousin come to visit us. Then the 24th we go to the night service at our church. Sing some hymns, have communion, listen to prayers and sermons. Depending upon which service we go to we leave either at 9 or at 12. Then we go home and sleep. The 25th we wake up and open presents and sit.



I used to enjoy the holidays. Now, all I see are flaws and faults. Oh well, just a few more years...

[MurrayBwahahahahahahahaha]

So far, from what RIm's said, I guess I live the most uncaring life towards history. My family celebrates holidays for superficial reasons. Let me see a list of them...



New Year's Eve/Day: We stay up late (nothing new now that I'm older), and watch up to five television specials at the same time. I think there's a football game or two on that day also. I don't know anymore...too many New Years to remember.



M.L.K. Jr. Day: Day off from school. Yay.



Valentine's Day: I'm not really the hopeless romantic type, so I don't really do much on this holiday. Not since 4th grade, have I done anything for this holiday. It used to be give out cards to everyone you know saying nice things, but not anymore. I don't think anything happens on this day for me now. Just a recognition of love in general.



President's Day: Another day off from school. Yay.



Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Passover, Good Friday: Where?



Easter: Hide eggs and get candy! We don't hide eggs as much as just have general baskets full of goodies. I know a little about this holiday. The rabbit is a sign of fertility (take a guess why), and since this towards the beginning of spring, they use it as a sign of life. Oh, and Jesus was ressurrected on this day.



Mother's Day: If I get up early enough, it's breakfast in bed for mother. We give gifts and have a nice dinner. Family is important on this day. It's all about mom.



Memorial Day: One more day off from school. Yay.



Father's Day: We give gifts and Dad gets to plan out the day. Whatever he wants to do, we're game for it. We usually have a good time mini-golfing, hiking, going out for lunch or dinner, etc. Cigars and Whoppers are traditional gifts on this day, along with homemade cards. He has 3 walls of one room covered with things we've done over the ages. I can read cards I've made over ten years ago. It's great.



4th of July: BBQ at Pop's house. We eat, swim, and do anything else we see fit. We launch fireworks we've gotten in a different state. My youngest brother enjoys that part. In-laws come over, and that's never good. The fireworks are set off a half-mile from our house, and we have a great view.



Labor Day: No school on this day. Yay.



Rosh Hashanah: If I knew what THIS one was, I might celebrate.



Yom Kippur: This one I do know, but I don't celebrate it. I should.



Columbus Day: More schoolless days. Yay.



United Nations Day: Does this really exist? Is it a government holiday?



Halloween: Haunted house in the garage. Very fun. This year was a big success. Scared lots of people. Fell apart a few times, but we can always repair in a jiffy. Very fun. It's on a Friday 2003!



Veteran's Day: No school on this day. Yay.



Thanksgiving: Food, fun, family. Went to aunt's house in Snotsdale, I mean Scottsdale. Very ritzy part of town. We ate a lot and this year watched Attack of the Clones. I'm never sure what happens on this day except that we eat untill we're sick.



Chanukkah: Love my Jewish bretheren. I personally don't celebrate it, but I know people who do. Like Yom Kippur.



Christmas: Already said things about it. See above.



We don't celebrate holidays for any particular reason other than that other people do. We have fun and food for no good reason. That's the charm of holidays. We all act completely opposite of what we usually would, just because someone said it was a holiday. Of course, I miss a lot of holidays...I have a very bland holiday palette.[/b]

[Kenderlord]

Rosh Hashanah: If I knew what THIS one was, I might celebrate.

Rosh Hashana means "Head Of The Year" in hebrew. It's Jewish New Year. According to the lunar calendar of the jews, Rosh Hashana marks the beginning of the month Tishrei. It lasts for two days, and we get school off so we can go and spend the whole day in the synagogue. At least we get to eat. I spent the high holidays (as Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are called... They're usually referred to together, as they occur within ten days of each other [those ten days are holy too. hm.]) helping out my synagogue by helping babysit toddlers while their parents attended the service. That was an interesting event. I was near ready to die by the end. At least i didn't rip any of my clothes.