Wednesday 22 December 2010

Europeans know how to Christmas - are we missing out on the fun?

As all the children in Britain clamber excitedly out of bed on 25th December to open their stockings and eat their chocolate money, little do they suspect that their European counterparts have already opened hundreds of gifts and still have more festivities to look forward to. Are we Brits missing out on some worthwhile traditions?

In Germany and the Netherlands, among other countries, the fun starts on the 5th December with a visit from Saint Nicolas who arrives with sweets and gifts. In France, Christmas takes place on the evening of the 24th with a huge meal and presents. And the Spanish don’t pack up on Boxing Day. They keep celebrating till the 6th of January - the day of the 3 wise men visiting the baby Jesus. As well as sweets and gifts, they have a round cake with a figurine hidden inside, which one lucky person might get to crack their tooth on.

Perhaps we are not so very unfortunate. When my family and I were in Iceland several years ago we learnt that there they have not one Santa Claus but 13. However, these thirteen “Yule lads” as they are called are not the sort of people you want climbing down your chimney. They each have different characters: some steal food, while others play nasty tricks or even kidnap naughty children; some break in through the window, others pick the lock to the back door. They were intended to install fear into children and I am convinced that even the most well behaved child in Britain would probably shudder at the thought of having to write out 13 Christmas lists...

Personally, I’m more than happy with my stocking and a turkey dinner. Plus maybe a mince pie or two...

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