Post by Mini Mia on Dec 16, 2009 0:50:37 GMT -6
1. What is the shape of the popular buche de Noel cake made in France at Christmas time?
By: TYRARACHELE
"Buche de Noel is the French name for a Christmas cake shaped like a log. This one is a heavenly flourless chocolate cake rolled with chocolate whipped cream. Traditionally, Buche de Noel is decorated with confectioners' sugar to resemble snow on a Yule log."
allrecipes.com/Recipe/Buche-de-Noel/Detail.aspx <<includes picture>>
2. What are the most popular Christmas tree decorations in China?
Christians in China celebrate by lighting their houses with beautiful paper lanterns and decorating their Christmas trees, which they call "Trees of Light," with paper chains, paper flowers, and paper lanterns.
wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_most_popular_christmas_tree_decorations_in_china <<No picture>>
www.made-in-china.com/china-products/productviewRbeJYHcEVxry/Christmas-Paper-Lantern-String-Lights.html <Includes Picture>
3. Why are candles placed in the windows of Irish homes on Christmas Eve?
Irish homes typically have a candle in the window to light the way for the Christ Child. Often the task of lighting the Christmas Eve candle falls upon the head of household. Additionally, an Advent calendar and candles add a nice touch. Decorations remain up until Epiphany, January 6.
www.irelandforvisitors.com/articles/christmas_eve_menu.htm <<no picture>>
www.fantasy-ireland.com/candle-in-the-window.html <Includes Picture>>
4. According to tradition in Belgium, how does St. Nicholas travel from house to house delivering gifts to children?
St. Nicholas travels with his horse called Amerigo.
That's also the reason why many children place a carrot into their shoes so that the horse has something to eat.
wiki.answers.com/Q/According_to_tradition_in_Belgium_how_does_St._Nicholas_travel_fom_house_to_house_delivering_gifts_to_children << No picture>>
www.new-age.co.uk/advent-calendar-7.htm <<Picture but doesn't include Amerigo>>
www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=100 <<Includes picture>>
5.On what date does the Christmas holiday season begin in Armenia?
January 6 www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/christmas-around-the-world/trees-traditions/armenia-to-bulgaria/ <<no picture>>
www.armeniainfo.am/about/?section=holidays <<no pictures>>
images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Christmas+in+Armenia+pictures&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=1xInS5nLE9D8_AayhuGcDQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQsAQwAA << pictures >>
6.Who brings gifts for good children in Italy?
In Italy Babbo Natale, which means Father Christmas, is Santa. Children put a pair of their shoes by the door on the day before Epiphany and the following morning they find them filled with small gifts and candy. Italy, like Spain, Portugal and most of the Latin American nations ( or countries speaking Romance languages ), is mostly Catholic. December 25 is a day of more religious observance, remembering the birth of Christ. The Epiphany, called Little Christmas, is the day for gift giving. However, Babbo Natale does come on Christmas Eve in some parts of Italy. <<no picture>>
In Italy, he is called Babbo Natale. Also, they recieve their presents on January 6th from the gift bringer an old lady called Befana.
^http://www.infostarbase.com/holidays/christmas/santa.php <no picture>>
images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Babbo+Natale+picture&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=CBcnS-S2LZyF_AaGjvmpDQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBQQsAQwAA <<jpictures>>
7. What are "chicken bones" in Canadian Christmas celebrations?
At Christmas Canadian eats sweets called Barley Candy and Chicken Bones! They are really sweets made by local candy companies. Barley Candy is usually on a stick and is shaped like Santa, reindeer, snowmen, a tree and other symbols of Christmas. Chicken Bones a pink candy that tastes like cinnamon. You melt them in your mouth and once melted, they reveal a creamy milk chocolate center.
^http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/canada.shtml
images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://candyaddict.com/blog/candy_pictures/ganong_chicken_bones.jpg&imgrefurl=http://candyaddict.com/blog/2006/12/04/candy-review-ganong-chocolates/&usg=__O_dvq_fXi7cLF3Foc-_VLU5o0rY=&h=250&w=250&sz=18&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=gvIFvCZJkbMxtM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=111&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522chicken%2Bbones%2522%2Bin%2BCanadian%2BChristmas%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1 <picture>
8. What do people in Costa Rica use to decorate their homes for Christmas?
the basics are a christmas tree and if you are catholic you must have a 'portal', which are small figurines that represent jesus birth. every family has a unique way to do theirs adding more characters, plants, water fixtures,etc. many people also hang lights on their roofs and trees and others fill their house with santa's figurines.
^http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091201094411AAVUAWH <no picture>
The family portal often occupies the majority of the living room.
^http://www.family-christmas-traditions.com/Christmas-traditions-in-Costa-Rica.html
As with many Catholic nations, nativity scenes with figurines of Mary, Joseph, the wise men and the animals of the manger are a standard Christmas decoration, called “Portals”. Offerings such as fruits and little toys are placed in front of the nativity scene. The baby Jesus figurine is placed in the nativity the night before Christmas, when he brings presents to the children of the household in lieu of Santa Claus.
^http://gocentralamerica.about.com/od/costaricaguide/p/CRChristmas.htm <no picture>
www.amcostarica.com/portaljudicial121202.jpg <Picture>> Several sites said the Nativity can take up an entire room.
9. In Austria, a bell is rung after Christmas Eve dinner to signal the opening of a locked door. What are children permitted to see for the first time behind the locked door?
The Christmas Tree. Wiki
On December 24, the Christ Child brings presents and the Christmas tree for the children. The children wait until they hear a bell tinkling. Then they enter a special room where the Christmas tree is waiting all decorated with candles, ornaments and candies. The whole family sings Christmas carols and wishes each other:
^http://www.santas.net/austrianchristmas.htm <no picture>
www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/1269-1483 <Photo but it's a large public tree - not a home>