HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-12-24, Page 25THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2009. PAGE 25.
Gingerbread cookies
It was time to take a look at Christmas around the world last week at East Wawanosh Public
School’s Christmas concert. It wouldn’t be Christmas without gingerbread boys and girls,
wearing their buttons with pride are, from left: Connor Hallahan, Troy Coultes, Olivia Hardy and
Amy Campbell. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Perhaps no one is a more familiar
with gifting trends across the globe
than the jolly man who lives at the
North Pole. While you might not be
able to fire up the sleigh and sail
through the clouds this Christmas
Eve, there are ways to mimic the
gifting trends of countries far and
wide.
NETHERLANDS
Sending postcards, via snail mail,
for special occasions may not be
common in this e-mail centric world.
But it is still common in the
Netherlands. If putting it in writing is
not your style, you can always offer a
floral bouquet. Flowers are the
typical offering when you are invited
to someone’s home in the
Netherlands, not surprising for a
country famous for its tulips.
The Dutch also exchange gifts on
Sinterklaas, or Santa Claus Day, on
Dec. 5, which celebrates the actual
feast day of Saint Nicholas for whom
Santa Claus was named. On this day,
people indulge in traditional Dutch
cookies and candies, adults often
make little presents or write poems
for one another, and children receive
a piece of chocolate in the shape of
their first initial.
SOUTH KOREA
During the fall harvest (which
arrives in mid-August, depending on
the lunar calendar), families gather to
share a meal. At this celebration,
adult children give money to their
parents and, at day’s end, parents
pack up the harvested crops for their
children. Pretty presentation is
another lesson to be learned from
South Koreans. Everything in Korea
is gift-wrapped and the packaging is
important, so get out the bows and
streamers, even if you decide to give
Mom and Dad cash this year.
CHINA
Using red wrapping paper and
envelopes will delight those in China,
who think the colour brings good
fortune and wards off evil.
Traditionally, on the Chinese New
Year, people exchange red envelopes
filled with money.
ISRAEL
Every December, Jews around the
world celebrate Chanukah, the
festival of lights or celebration of the
Macabees’ victory over the Greeks,
who wanted the Jews to give up their
culture and faith in favour of a
Hellenistic life in 166 B.C. After the
Macabees won the war, they needed
to rededicate their temple but only
had enough oil for one day.
Miraculously, the oil lasted eight
days. As a result, Jews today light
candles on the menorah for each of
Hanukkah’s eight nights and often
they exchange gifts. Originally, Jews
gave monetary presents to teach
children about sharing and in Israel
that sentiment remains.
Parents often give their children
“gelt,” which are coin-shaped
chocolates wrapped in gold foil.
Potato latkes and jelly doughnuts are
the holiday’s signature foods should
you be invited to a Hanukkah
celebration. The goal of the giver
should be to provide a sweet thought
as opposed to a fancy or expensive
gift.
PORTUGAL
In Portugal, and in other parts of
Europe, handmade gifts are often
seen as the most sincere. Although
Christmas is the most popular time of
year to exchange gifts, most people
bring homemade baked goods or
knitted tablecloths, shawls or
blankets whenever visiting
someone’s home, says Portuguese
American Helder Gil, 26, of
Washington, D.C. Even celebrities
have taken up Portuguese habits like
knitting, proof that even old-
fashioned hobbies can be chic.
Holiday gifting across the globe
Singing elves
Santa’s elves have never been shy when it comes to
singing and that was certainly the case last week at East
Wawanosh Public School’s Christmas concert, which
celebrated Christmas around the world. From left: Alicia
Coultes, Willow Newman, Chloe Foreman and Mia
Morales. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
May your home be
blessed by the miracle
of Christmas
To our valued
customers
and friends,
we wish
you a Merry
Christmas
and a
Joyous
New Year
RYAN CONSTRUCTION (BRUSSELS) LTD.
83997 BRUSSELS LINE
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From the staff at
The Citizen
Wishing you a
season
of joy and
happiness.
Best Wishes
for a
Merry Christmas
and all the best
in the
coming year!