Christmas too many means giving and receiving gifts, but to some it means something different and it is also celebrated different as well. Here in America everyone is used to their traditional ways which is buying presents for loved ones and waiting for Santa Claus to come down the chimney and give all the little boys and girls their presents. In other countries around the world Christmas is celebrated different and not even called Christmas!

In China, Christmas is not celebrated by many because most are not Christians. But to those who are Christians they decorate their homes with paper lanterns and paper chains along with flowers and the children wait for Santa Claus who is to them, “Christmas Old Man”.  Christmas in China is celebrated at the end of January and is now called “Spring Festival” where children receive new clothes, eat luxurious meals and get new toys then settle for firecracker displays.

France however has similar traditions as America except one thing, they don’t follow the traditions of the Christmas tree. Instead they make Yule Log’s which are logged shaped cakes named the Buche de Nole.  French children receive gifts from Pere Noel who travels with his side kick Pre Fouettard who reminds Pere Noel who has been naughty or nice.

Bethlehem, the little town where Jesus was born celebrates Christmas by decorating the church of the Nativity which is the site of where Jesus was supposed to be born at, it is decorated with flags and decorations every year. There are parades and other festivities that happen and every home is marked with a cross over the doorway and also displays manger scenes.

Christmas may be celebrated different around the world but no matter what you read there is one thing in common, families are together, cherishing one another’s time and weather you may live in America, France or China Christmas is celebrated in some type of festive way.