Do you have a favorite Christmas decoration? Is it the beautiful Christmas tree you cut down yourself? Maybe it’s the sprawling Christmas village you’ve built on top of your piano or bookshelf?
Christmas decorations have a way of ushering the holiday season into your home and heart. The season doesn’t seem complete until the Christmas tree is decorated, the stockings are hung, and your house shines brightly through the dark.
Everyone has their own decorations, many passed down through generations or hand-crafted with love, but there are certain decorating traditions that are typical for an American Christmas. Trees, garlands, ornaments, outdoor lights, reindeer, fake snow, and mistletoe can be found in homes across the states, but what about homes overseas? How do other cultures celebrate Christmas?
Integrity Remodeling & Custom Homes has put together a collection of international Christmas decorations that may be perfect for your own home. Here’s how other cultures deck the halls:
1. Cobwebbed Christmas Trees
In Eastern Europe, especially in the Ukraine, Christmas trees are decorated with spiders and spider webs. The tradition stems from a folktale in which a poor widow and her children couldn’t afford to decorate their tree. On Christmas day, they woke to find the tree covered in cobwebs, which turned to gold and silver when the light touched them.
2. Candles in a Wreath
To celebrate St. or Santa Lucia Day, a young girl is chosen to represent St. Lucia, a woman who used a wreath of candles to guide and rescue persecuted Christians. The girl wears a wreath with candles, a white gown, and a red sash to lead a procession of candle holders in remembrance of the brave saint. The wreath is also used as a decoration in the home.
3. Summer Trees
Countries in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate Christmas during their summer months, so many decorate fruit trees in celebration. In some countries, including Brazil, people create the appearance of snow on their decorated trees. Sounds like something we Floridians could do…
4. Decorating Ships
Christmas trees are becoming more common in Greece, but Christmas lights have been used for much longer. To celebrate the season, small boats were decorated instead of trees. Even now, a three masted ship and large Christmas tree are put up every year in the central square of Thessaloniki.
5. Candle in the Window
In Ireland, lit candles are placed in the windows of houses on Christmas Eve. The tradition has many meanings, but it was primarily meant to extend a symbolic welcome to Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter on Christmas Eve.
Integrity Remodeling & Custom Homes wishes you and your families a Merry Christmas this holiday season!
For any questions, contact us at (407) 625-8286.
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