Monday, December 23, 2013

Holiday Traditions, Mirth and some

                              "...What if Christmas...doesn't come from a store.
                              What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"
                                                         --Dr. Seuss, How The Grinch Stole Christmas!


With Christmas a mere two days away, it is easy to fall prey to the commercial trappings of the season.  What once began the day after Thanksgiving has now morphed into a holiday season that rears its head well before Halloween.  Who can forget these classic holiday moments? The Peanuts Gang celebrating Christmas by caroling and exploring a true meaning of the day.  The animated tale of Rudolph remains an annual favorite on TV.  Scrooge's story resonated in the classrooms of my students for over two decades. I am sure many other students read the same Dickens classic in their schools too.   Nativity Scenes in Historic Kirtland have garnered country-wide attention.  With over 20 years history behind it -Santa, an elf toyshop, and Country Lights have sold out in mere days for Lake Metroparks.  Even the Grinch makes an annual visit to a lighthouse in Fairport Harbor.  Today let's examine some different traditions from around the world.

Some Holidays Traditions From Around The Globe-
  • Austria celebrates the Feast of Saint Nicholas with traditional baked carp.
  • In Denmark, Christmas is a time when Nisse, a mischievous elf heads out and enjoys playing jokes.  Families leave a bowl of porridge to avoid his worst pranks.
  • Flaming plum puddings, and one with a favor baked in it await those seeking good luck in Australia.
  • St. Nicholas travels by boat with his little helper Black Peter in Holland.
  • Mattack, whale skin with blubber interiors are eaten at Christmastime in Greenland.
  • In Sweden a little brownie, or ultomen helps Santa deliver gifts.
  • In Bulgaria, Christmas Eve is the most important holiday and 12 dish meals are a tradition, all without meat.
  • Taffy making and esiteddfodde (carols) are part of Wales festive customs.
  • In Spain tiny oil lamps are lit in homes.  'Jota' - dancing in the streets is also part of the midnight celebrations.
  • LaPosada, a reenactment of that first night is a main tradition in Mexico.
  • In Canada Santa has his own zip code- ho,ho,ho.
 Some Holiday Mirth or corny Elf on the Shelf Jokes

What's another name for Santa's helpers?                (subordinate clauses)
What do you call a stingy elf?                                  (elf-ish)
How do you describe a wealthy elf?                        ( Welfy)
If athletes get athlete's foot, what do elves get?       (Mistle- Toes)
What do you call a wound that is caused by being hammered by an elf?  (It's Elf-inflicted)

What do you call a Santa Claus that does not move?   (Santa Pause)
What goes "oh,oh,oh?"                                             (Santa walking backwards)


And to all...
Merry Christmas          Joyeux Noel           Frohe Weihnachten       Feliz Navidad

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