Christmas traditions online activity - Free Printable

- France: Père Noël is accompanied by Père Fouettard, who brings presents only to good kids. Children put their shoes by the fireplace to get gifts. People have dinner at midnight on December 24 (le Réveillon) with a cake called La Bûche de Noël.
- Belgium: Belgian children believe that Saint Nicholas brings them their presents. They also believe he rides a horse so they leave hay and carrots and water for the horse just outside the house on December 6.
- The Netherlands: Sinterklaas rides a horse. Dutch children leave their shoes out, filled with hay and sugar for his horse. In the morning they find their shoes filled with candy, nuts and gifts. When Sinterklaas appears to children, he takes the form of their father or a male relative.
- Germany: Children count the days until Christmas with an Advent calendar. They also write letters to St. Nicholas asking for presents (December 6). Christmas Eve is the most important time of the Christmas season for families. Some even say it is a magical night when animals can speak. The wonderful tradition of the Christmas tree, which started in Germany, is the heart of the celebration.
- Denmark: Danish people celebrate Christmas Eve with a special rice pudding in which a single almond is hidden. Whoever finds the almond will have good luck for the coming year. Julemanden arrives in a sleigh drawn by reindeer and is assisted with his Yuletide chores by Elves called Jul Nisse, who live in attics.
- Sweden: Most people in Scandinavian countries honour St. Lucia on December 13. Traditionally, the eldest daughter in each family gets up early and wakes each of her family members, dressed in a long, white gown with a red ribbon and a crown made of twigs with nine lighted candles. Jultomten, visits houses in the afternoon on Christmas Eve.
- Russia: Families decorate a New Year's tree and make Salad Olivier (diced meat, veggies and potatoes all slathered in Mayo). Grandfather Frost (Дед Мороз) delivers presents to good children, aided by The Snow Maiden (Снегурочка).
- Italy: Italian people exchange gifts on January 6, when the Wise Men or Magi reached baby Jesus. Italy has La Befana, who brings gifts for good children and punishment for the bad ones. The nativity scene dates back to Saint Francis of Assisi.
- Spain: Spanish people celebrate Nochebuena (Christmas Eve), and families gather together to share a meal. Children leave their shoes filled with straw and barley for the camels of the Wise Men who visit them on January 6.
- UK: The tradition of hanging stockings by the chimney began here because Father Christmas accidentally dropped some gold coins on his way down the chimney which got caught in a drying stocking. British children wait until the afternoon to open their gifts. Boxing Day is celebrated the day following Christmas, when small gifts were given to servants.
- Canada / U.S.A.: People decorate Christmas trees and hang their stockings by the fireplace because children believe that Santa Claus will fill them with gifts. People also exchange cards and gifts and go carolling.
- Mexico: They celebrate Christmas for nine days with Las Pastorelas. People dress as Mary and Joseph walking from house to house asking if Mary may stay the night. Then, they are invited in for a party with food, songs, and a Piñata filled with all kinds of sweets.
- China: Christian kids decorate their houses with beautiful paper lanterns. Many Chinese children also hang stockings and wait for Santa Claus or Dun Che Lao Ren, which means “Christmas Old Man.”
- Japan: In Japan there is a god or priest known as Hoteiosho, who closely resembles our Santa Claus. He is always pictured as a kind old man carrying a huge pack. He is thought to have eyes in the back of his head. Children must be good when this all-seeing gentleman is abroad.
- Australia: Santa's sleigh is pulled by eight white kangaroos. Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors and is followed by a visit to the beach or a game of cricket.