Assessment: Comprehension Christmas Around the World


Each year Christmas is celebrated all around the world. Christmas traditions and celebrations are different in different cultures and countries.


France: In many regions in France, Christmas celebrations start with St Nicholas Day on 6 December. On this day, children get sweets and little gifts. Cities are decorated in France, especially in the Alsace region, where they say the first decorated Christmas trees appeared as far back as the 14th century. On Christmas Eve, children put their polished shoes in front of the chimney and hope that ‘Père Noël’ (Father Christmas) will fill the shoes with sweets and treats.


Italy: In Italy, a nativity scene, a ‘presepe’, is usually put up in churches, town squares and often in homes. In many families, gifts are exchanged on 6 January as that is the day of Epiphany. A Christmas tree is usually only put up on the morning of 24 December.


Philippines: In the Philippines, there is a special tradition of having a Christmas lantern called a ‘paról’. This lantern is star-shaped, remembering the star of Bethlehem, and is made out of bamboo and paper.


Australia: In Australia, it is traditional in the weeks up to Christmas to join in Christmas picnics organised by various churches and to sing Christmas carols on the beach. As Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas is in summer time and so during Christmas time friends and family often gather at the beach.


Brazil: In Brazil, you will often find a ‘presepio’, a crib or nativity scene, in front of a church. The ‘Papai Noel’ (Father Christmas) travels from Greenland to Brazil to give presents to Brazilian children. Many cities display Christmas trees during the month and often the year end is celebrated with fireworks. In Brazil, you say ‘Bom Natal’ when wishing somebody a Merry Christmas.


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Unit 8 | Revision and Assessment


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