Christmas in France
My favourite tradition at Christmas is the 24th evening and the 25th morning and the advent calendar. I love having one chocolate every day. I love unwrapping Christmas gifts which Santa Claus brings and leaves under the tree. I love seeing my family. In France, we have 2 weeks of holidays and we visit family. Saint Nicolas is a tradition of the East of France. He’s like Santa Claus and brings gifts. There is a parade with the cart of Saint Nicolas at the end. On 6th December, he gives us candies and chocolates.
By Baptisete Year 5
In France we celebrate Christmas in many different ways, but I am going to tell you how we usually celebrate it. In France, we celebrate Christmas by eating a lot of food (usually turkey or duck liver), talking, laughing and playing together. Some stay awake for Christmas Eve, but in my family we don’t (it is important to sleep). In the French traditions, we usually sing a song called “Petit Papa Noël” which literally means “Little Dad Christmas”(and not Father Christmas). The other songs are almost the same as the English ones but in French
By Ibrahima Year 9
Christmas in Spain
In Spain there are two weeks of holiday at Christmas time. On the 24th of December, I have dinner with my mother’s side of the family. We all wear elegant outfits and we eat mostly seafood because I live near the coast, but in other parts of the country they eat different things. On the 25th (in my case) I have lunch with my father’s side in a restaurant and we always eat paella. On New Year I watch TV and at midnight there is a bell, when the bell sounds, you eat a grape until the 12th sound ends.
And finally, on the 5th of January there is a parade because it is the night of the three kings who gave Jesus gold, incense and myrrh. The next day you have presents in your house from the Spanish ‘Santa Claus’. There are also many Spanish Christmas songs like “Noche de Paz”, which is similar to ‘Jingle Bells’.
By Mateo Year 9
We celebrate Christmas in Spain by usually going to other cities . Normally, my family and I stay in Madrid for about 3 weeks and then we go to Santander with my cousin, my uncle and my auntie. The Christmas holidays in Spain start on the 23rd of December and finish on the 7th of January. Also normally, we go to receive presents at our house, my uncle’s house, my grandma’s house and my other grandma’s house.The same with the Three Wise Men, in that day basically all the people in Spain eat something called Roscon that has a prize inside and the person who finds the prize has to buy the next Roscon. And we also have an Advent calendar that is a calendar from which you eat a chocolate per day.
Christmas in Germany
My favourite thing is lighting one candle every week until the 24th of December. We light the candle on Sunday because it is the start of the 1st advent. In German schools you get 2 weeks of Christmas holidays, but at Queen’s you get 4 weeks! This is great because I love playing with my new Christmas gifts such as a Playstation or Xbox. We celebrate Christmas on the 24th of December. We open presents from Christkind and Santa. We eat potatoes, goulash, and meat, and as a snack we have spekulatius which are special biscuits. We also have lebkuchen which are cookies.
By Tom Year 5
Chinese New Year
In China, December 25th is not as important as the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). For Chinese New Year there are all different types of food we eat such as dumplings, noodles, rice and fish. My favourite is Beijing Duck which we have in a restaurant and everybody from my family goes out together.
Another important thing is, we all wear red clothes because it is festive and lucky. Also, a very important thing is children are given red pockets from elders with money inside. Last year, I spent my money on new clothes.
I love Spring Festival because on this day, families can reunite.
By Ken Year 9
