Christmas

It is that time of the year again! This period just before Christmas has a special magic. Children write letters to Santa telling him what they would like him to bring them. We decorate our homes with Christmas trees and stockings. We set up a crib. We prepare a special dinner for our family and friends. And, of course, we do our Christmas shopping.
To learn about traditions around the world visit: www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm

Christmas has always been one of the major festivals of the year nearly all over the word. We celebrate the birth of Jesus but why do people give each other presents on Christmas day? This tradition seems to have started with the gifts that the Three Wise Men brought to Jesus. They gave him gold, myrrh and frankincense. However, the habit of exchanging gifts started in the 1800s.

See the following sites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Magi
http://www.donnasholidaysentiments.com/wisemen.html

Small children believe that their presents are brought by Santa Claus (also called Father Christmas or Saint Nicholas). He is a very kind man who lives near the North Pole. He travels through the sky on a sledge which is pulled by reindeer and loaded with presents. He is dressed in a red-ermine-trimmed suit and wears an elf-like cap.

If you want to know more about Santa, have a look at http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38

Is cooking a problem? Chicken and salad again?! NO!!! Why don’t we try some traditional Christmas recipes this year? Visit this inspiring site http://allrecipes.com/recipes/holiday-cooking/christmas/main.aspx

Remember your friends. I’m sure they would like to get an e-card from you. Try this site:
http://www.123greetings.com/events/christmas/

http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/festivals-christmas.htm (Christmas vocabulary)

Merry Christmas!

Till next post!