Slide 1 : Christmas in The Netherlands In the Netherlands, Dutch people celebrate Sinterklaas Avond or St. Nicolas Eve on 5th of December. St. Nicholas (or Sinterklaas in Dutch) was known for his generosity and kindness. On 6th of December, there are family gatherings and celebrations. Then 25th of December is celebrated as the Christmas Day while 26th of December is celebrated as the New Year's Day. Finally, on 6th of January, Three Kings Day is celebrated. Children are told that Sinterklaas sails from Spain to Netherlands for the feast on 5th of December. Dutch children keep their shoes outdoors and fill them with hay and sugar for Sinterklaas's horse. In the morning, they are replaced by gifts for them such as candies and nuts. Children are told that Sinterklaas appears in person in the children's homes, looking like their father or uncle and question them whether they have been naughty or nice in the past year. Previously, naughty children used to receive blows by the birch rod that he carried but now, he is kinder. In, Twente (City) situated in east Holland, a special Advent ceremony is held in which special horns made from one year old saplings at home are blown over wells to announce the birth of Christ and chase away evil spirits. These horns are three or four feet long and have a deep tone.
Slide 2 : City:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W3AifM6cgk&feature=related Celebration at the school:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8gMjHuIbgU&NR=1 People often write poems to go along with their presents. They also make funny packages with surprise gift inside. Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDeo2I0KRSU&feature=player_embedded#
Slide 3 : Christmas in Peru Christmas is the most important celebration of the year among Peruvian. Christmas in Peru is celebrated as "Noche Buena", which literally means "Good Night" in Spanish. Christmas in Peru is celebrated on 24th December. In the evening, there is a family get-together to celebrate Christmas which is also called the Christmas for Children. There is preparation of pavo (turkey) in most of the houses as well as apple sauce.
The people of Peru put the scenes of Nativity in the churches and homes. The scenes are kept till the La Bajada de los Reyes which is the arrival of the three wise men on January 6.
Going to someone's house during Christmas must include a cake in a pack. There are gifts under the tree, which is supposed to have been brought by Papa Noel or Santa Claus. Fireworks during Christmas are banned in Peru. But fireworks definitely find its place in people's house.
Children go to bed after midnight. But this is the time for the parties of the grown ups to begin. The party generally goes till late in the night till 6:00AM. This results in most families waking up late in the 25th.
The people of Peru are very generous. You may be invited to their party even if you are not well known to that person. You do not have to be punctual as it is not considered to arrive right on time.
Slide 4 : Christmas is an important occasion when churches, patrons, and businesses hold chocolatadas where they give hot chocolate, bread and a toy to the children and the old. The rural context of the arrival of the infant Christ allowed early Peruvians to identify immediately with the festivity, highlighted by artisan creativity, a sense of aesthetics and the religious devotion of Andean settlers. These elements stand out for the extreme care with which highlanders put together Nativity scenes in churches and homes, perform dances and plays, cook typical dishes and produce a wide range of handicrafts such as Nativity scenes in Huamanga stone, retablos featuring images related to Christmas and pottery.
In most Andean communities, the festival continues until la Bajada de los Reyes (the arrival of the three wise men), January 6, when traditionally people exchange gifts.
Slide 5 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGEz1fGGGEw
Slide 6 : International Christmas Celebration 2009
Dances around the World http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8ZL00PpSnI Merry Christmas
2009
Thank you to Gladys & Nellie for your dedication to help others around the
World Mariel Gomez de la T orre