Christmas characters and food, Christmas-linked holidays and music, Santa Claus and traditions. Related to Annunciation, Incarnation; Crucifixion; Advent, the four weeks preceding Christmas; and the period between the day after Thanksgiving and the Sunday after New Year”s Day, the American holiday season. Christmas or Christmas Day is a holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. Aspects of celebration may include gift-giving, Christmas trees, display of Nativity sets, church attendance, the Father Christmas/Santa Claus myth, and family gatherings. Users of the Gregorian calendar observe the holiday on December 25. Some Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate on December 25 by the Julian calendar, which currently corresponds to January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. These dates are merely traditional; the great majority of scholars agree that the actual birthdate of Jesus is unknown. In Western culture, the holiday is characterized by the exchange of gifts among friends and family members, some of the gifts being attributed to Santa Claus (also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Basil and Father Frost). However, various local and regional Christmas traditions are still practiced, despite the widespread influence of American, British and Australian Christmas motifs disseminated by film, popular literature, television, and other media.

2. About Christmas
Nicolae Sfetcu
Published by Nicolae Sfetcu
© 2021 Nicolae Sfetcu

3. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
2
The book is made by organizing Telework articles (main sources: my own articles, Wikipedia under
the CC BY-SA 3.0 license adapted by Nicolae Sfetcu, and other sources). Text license: CC BY-SA 3.0
The information in this book (licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License) is from 2007
and has not been updated.
DISCLAIMER:
The author and publisher are providing this book and its contents on an “as is” basis and
make no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to this book or its contents.
The author and publisher disclaim all such representations and warranties for a particular
purpose. In addition, the author and publisher do not represent or warrant that the
information accessible via this book is accurate, complete or current.
Except as specifically stated in this book, neither the author or publisher, nor any authors,
contributors, or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in
connection with the use of this book. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that
applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory; direct,
indirect or consequential damages, including for third parties.
You understand that this book is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a licensed,
educational, legal or finance professional. Before you use it in any way, you will consult a
licensed professional to ensure that you are doing what’s best for your situation.
This book provides content related to educational topics. As such, use of this book implies
your acceptance of this disclaimer.

4. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
3
Cuprins
About Christmas.............................................................................................................................................1
About Christmas.......................................................................................................................................... 27
Christmas ....................................................................................................................................................... 29
Contents................................................................................................................................................ 29
History................................................................................................................................................... 29
The Nativity......................................................................................................................................... 34
Other dates of celebration.............................................................................................................. 36
Regional customs and celebrations............................................................................................ 36
Santa Claus and other bringers of gifts..................................................................................... 37
Timing of gifts..................................................................................................................................... 38
Declaration of Christmas Peace................................................................................................... 39
Decorations.......................................................................................................................................... 40
Social aspects and entertainment............................................................................................... 40
Christmas carol media..................................................................................................................... 41
Christmas in the arts and media.................................................................................................. 41
Economics of Christmas.................................................................................................................. 42
See also.................................................................................................................................................. 43
References............................................................................................................................................ 43
Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 ................................................................................................. 44
Christmas Seal......................................................................................................................................... 44
Christmas creep...................................................................................................................................... 45
Christmas in the media........................................................................................................................ 45
Christmas movies and videos....................................................................................................... 45
Television and Christmas............................................................................................................... 46
Christmas on the radio.................................................................................................................... 46
Christmas season ................................................................................................................................... 47
See also.................................................................................................................................................. 47
Festive ecology........................................................................................................................................ 47
Contents................................................................................................................................................ 48
Christmas.............................................................................................................................................. 48

5. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
4
Dressing the Arbor Tree, Aston-on-Clun, Shropshire, England....................................... 49
References............................................................................................................................................ 50
Further reading.................................................................................................................................. 50
Happy Holiday(s) ................................................................................................................................... 50
Nativity Fast............................................................................................................................................. 51
Nine Lessons and Carols...................................................................................................................... 51
Contents................................................................................................................................................ 52
King's College, Cambridge.............................................................................................................. 52
Order of Service ................................................................................................................................. 52
Noel .................................................................................................................................................................. 54
See also.................................................................................................................................................. 54
References............................................................................................................................................ 54
SantaCon.................................................................................................................................................... 54
Contents................................................................................................................................................ 54
Santarchy around the world ......................................................................................................... 54
Santarchy and the law ..................................................................................................................... 55
In popular culture ............................................................................................................................. 55
Secret Santa.............................................................................................................................................. 56
A typical Secret Santa ...................................................................................................................... 56
Variation: Thieving Secret Santa................................................................................................. 56
References in popular culture...................................................................................................... 56
Secularization of Christmas ............................................................................................................... 57
Contents................................................................................................................................................ 57
Incorporating secular or pagan elements into Christmas................................................. 57
Protestantism...................................................................................................................................... 57
19th century........................................................................................................................................ 58
Early 20th century ............................................................................................................................ 58
Claims of Christmas censorship................................................................................................... 59
Contemporary United States......................................................................................................... 59
See also.................................................................................................................................................. 60
Organizations...................................................................................................................................... 60
References............................................................................................................................................ 60
Notes....................................................................................................................................................... 61

6. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
5
White Christmas..................................................................................................................................... 63
Xmas............................................................................................................................................................ 63
Christmas characters............................................................................................................................ 65
Santa Claus................................................................................................................................................ 65
Contents................................................................................................................................................ 65
Overview............................................................................................................................................... 66
Historical origins ............................................................................................................................... 66
Santa Claus in popular culture ..................................................................................................... 67
Santa Claus rituals............................................................................................................................. 67
Ho, ho, ho.............................................................................................................................................. 67
Santa Claus reindeers' name......................................................................................................... 67
Santa Claus on film............................................................................................................................ 67
Christian opposition to Santa Claus ........................................................................................... 68
See also.................................................................................................................................................. 69
References............................................................................................................................................ 69
Origins of Santa Claus........................................................................................................................... 71
Contents................................................................................................................................................ 71
Ancient Christian origins................................................................................................................ 71
Germanic folklore.............................................................................................................................. 72
Modern origins................................................................................................................................... 73
American origins ............................................................................................................................... 75
Other possible origins...................................................................................................................... 77
See also.................................................................................................................................................. 77
Santa Claus rituals ................................................................................................................................. 77
Contents................................................................................................................................................ 77
Christmas Eve rituals....................................................................................................................... 78
Letter writing...................................................................................................................................... 78
Websites and e-mail......................................................................................................................... 79
Songs ...................................................................................................................................................... 80
"Santa Claus" in shopping malls .................................................................................................. 81
Santa Claus on film ................................................................................................................................ 81
Contents................................................................................................................................................ 82
Origins in film ..................................................................................................................................... 82

7. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
6
Questioning and believing ............................................................................................................. 83
Santa as a hero.................................................................................................................................... 83
Succession of Santas......................................................................................................................... 84
Impostor Santas................................................................................................................................. 84
Christmas gift-bringers around the world........................................................................................ 86
Contents................................................................................................................................................ 86
Christmas gift-bringers around the world............................................................................... 86
Europe and North America............................................................................................................ 86
Latin America...................................................................................................................................... 87
East Asia................................................................................................................................................ 88
Central Asia.......................................................................................................................................... 88
Africa and the Middle East............................................................................................................. 88
Oceania.................................................................................................................................................. 88
Biblical Magi.................................................................................................................................................. 90
Contents................................................................................................................................................ 90
The nature of the magi .................................................................................................................... 90
Names .................................................................................................................................................... 92
Tombs .................................................................................................................................................... 93
The gifts of the magi......................................................................................................................... 94
Herod...................................................................................................................................................... 95
The birthplace..................................................................................................................................... 96
The star of Bethlehem ..................................................................................................................... 97
The Bethlehem prophecy............................................................................................................... 99
Religious significance ....................................................................................................................100
Traditions of the Epiphany..........................................................................................................100
The Magi depicted in art...............................................................................................................101
See also................................................................................................................................................102
Cultural References ........................................................................................................................102
References..........................................................................................................................................102
Caganer ....................................................................................................................................................103
Christkind................................................................................................................................................105
See also................................................................................................................................................105
Companions of Saint Nicholas.........................................................................................................105

8. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
7
Contents..............................................................................................................................................106
Appearance........................................................................................................................................106
Tales .....................................................................................................................................................106
Traditions...........................................................................................................................................107
Historical accounts .........................................................................................................................107
Modern perspective........................................................................................................................107
Controversy.......................................................................................................................................108
References..........................................................................................................................................108
Literature............................................................................................................................................108
Ded Moroz...............................................................................................................................................108
Contents..............................................................................................................................................109
History.................................................................................................................................................109
Regional differences.......................................................................................................................110
ex-USSR ...............................................................................................................................................110
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and
Montenegro...............................................................................................................................................110
Slovenia...............................................................................................................................................110
Poland..................................................................................................................................................110
Germany..............................................................................................................................................110
Tatar.....................................................................................................................................................111
See also................................................................................................................................................111
References..........................................................................................................................................111
Dzied Maroz............................................................................................................................................111
See also................................................................................................................................................111
Elf................................................................................................................................................................112
Contents..............................................................................................................................................112
Characteristics of Traditional Elves.........................................................................................113
Elves in Norse mythology.............................................................................................................113
Scandinavian elves..........................................................................................................................115
German elves.....................................................................................................................................117
English elves......................................................................................................................................118
Modern elves.....................................................................................................................................120
Elves at Christmas...........................................................................................................................120

9. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
8
Elves in modern fantasy ...............................................................................................................120
Elves in psychedelic experience ................................................................................................121
References..........................................................................................................................................121
See also................................................................................................................................................122
Father Christmas..................................................................................................................................123
References..........................................................................................................................................124
See also................................................................................................................................................124
Joulupukki...............................................................................................................................................124
Trivia....................................................................................................................................................125
Joulupukki's Dark Side? ................................................................................................................125
See also................................................................................................................................................125
Julemanden.............................................................................................................................................125
Kris Kringle.............................................................................................................................................126
Related uses.......................................................................................................................................126
La Befana.................................................................................................................................................126
Mos Gerila ...............................................................................................................................................127
References..........................................................................................................................................127
Mr. Bingle ................................................................................................................................................127
History.................................................................................................................................................127
Mr. Bingle in Tennessee................................................................................................................129
Mrs. Claus................................................................................................................................................129
Contents..............................................................................................................................................129
Origin of Mrs. Claus.........................................................................................................................129
Depictions in popular media.......................................................................................................129
Movies..................................................................................................................................................130
Television ...........................................................................................................................................130
See also................................................................................................................................................130
Saint Nicholas.............................................................................................................................................131
Contents..............................................................................................................................................131
Nicholas the clergyman.................................................................................................................132
Bishop Nicholas at the First Ecumenical Council................................................................133
Abduction of his relics...................................................................................................................134
The face of the historical saint ...................................................................................................134

10. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
9
Deeds and miracles attributed to Saint Nicholas................................................................135
Formal veneration of the saint...................................................................................................136
In iconography..................................................................................................................................137
Saint Nicholas the festive gift-giver..........................................................................................137
Celebration in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Hungary and Luxembourg ..................................................................................................................138
Celebration in the Netherlands..................................................................................................139
Celebration in Belgium..................................................................................................................139
Celebration in France.....................................................................................................................139
Celebration in Portugal.................................................................................................................140
Benjamin Britten cantata .............................................................................................................140
Metamorphosis in Demre.............................................................................................................140
See also................................................................................................................................................140
Olentzero.................................................................................................................................................140
Appearance........................................................................................................................................142
Pere Noel .................................................................................................................................................142
Santa Claus' reindeer...............................................................................................................................143
Contents..............................................................................................................................................143
Origins..................................................................................................................................................143
The reindeer......................................................................................................................................144
Original eight.....................................................................................................................................144
Sleigh order........................................................................................................................................144
Descriptions.......................................................................................................................................144
Meaning of names ...........................................................................................................................144
Additional reindeer since the writing of the poem ............................................................145
Rudolph (the red-nosed reindeer) ...........................................................................................145
Robbie (Rudolph's son) ................................................................................................................145
Olive, the Other Reindeer.............................................................................................................145
See also................................................................................................................................................145
References..........................................................................................................................................145
Tio de Nadal ...........................................................................................................................................146
See also................................................................................................................................................147
Tomte........................................................................................................................................................147

11. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
10
Contents..............................................................................................................................................147
Appearance........................................................................................................................................147
Temperament ...................................................................................................................................148
The heathen tomte..........................................................................................................................148
Similar folklore.................................................................................................................................149
The modern tomte ..........................................................................................................................149
See also................................................................................................................................................150
References..........................................................................................................................................150
Yule Goat..................................................................................................................................................150
See also................................................................................................................................................152
Yule Lads .................................................................................................................................................152
Christmas movie........................................................................................................................................154
List of Christmas movies ..............................................................................................................154
Movies set during the Christmas season................................................................................155
Christmas television special ............................................................................................................155
American television........................................................................................................................155
British television..............................................................................................................................156
Examples of American Christmas television specials .......................................................156
Christmas food...........................................................................................................................................161
Contents..............................................................................................................................................161
Belgium ...............................................................................................................................................161
Canada .................................................................................................................................................161
Czech Republic .................................................................................................................................162
Denmark .............................................................................................................................................162
Finland.................................................................................................................................................162
France ..................................................................................................................................................163
Germany..............................................................................................................................................163
Italy.......................................................................................................................................................163
Japan.....................................................................................................................................................163
Lithuania.............................................................................................................................................163
New Zealand......................................................................................................................................164
Norway................................................................................................................................................164
Poland..................................................................................................................................................164

12. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
11
Serbia ...................................................................................................................................................164
Spain.....................................................................................................................................................164
Sweden ................................................................................................................................................164
United Kingdom...............................................................................................................................165
United States .....................................................................................................................................165
Venezuela ...........................................................................................................................................165
Bebinca.....................................................................................................................................................166
Bethmannchen ......................................................................................................................................166
Brandy butter ........................................................................................................................................167
Description.........................................................................................................................................167
Trivia....................................................................................................................................................167
Bredela .....................................................................................................................................................167
Buche de Noel........................................................................................................................................168
Bunuelo....................................................................................................................................................168
Bunuelos..................................................................................................................................................169
Candy cane..............................................................................................................................................169
Urban legends about the origin of candy canes...................................................................169
Other uses...........................................................................................................................................169
Cesnica......................................................................................................................................................169
Christmas cake......................................................................................................................................170
Christmas cake in other countries............................................................................................170
References..........................................................................................................................................171
Christmas cookies................................................................................................................................171
See also................................................................................................................................................171
Christmas ham ......................................................................................................................................171
Christmas pudding...............................................................................................................................172
Contents..............................................................................................................................................172
Basics....................................................................................................................................................172
The wish and other traditions....................................................................................................172
After Christmas ................................................................................................................................173
See also................................................................................................................................................173
Cranberry sauce....................................................................................................................................173
Cranberry Trivia..............................................................................................................................174

13. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
12
Eggnog......................................................................................................................................................174
Folar ..........................................................................................................................................................175
Fritule .......................................................................................................................................................175
Fruitcake..................................................................................................................................................176
Contents..............................................................................................................................................176
History.................................................................................................................................................176
Fruitcake in popular culture .......................................................................................................176
See also................................................................................................................................................177
Ganzeltopf...............................................................................................................................................177
Gingerbread............................................................................................................................................178
Glogg..........................................................................................................................................................179
Hallaca......................................................................................................................................................179
Contents..............................................................................................................................................179
Origins..................................................................................................................................................179
Tradition.............................................................................................................................................180
Preparation........................................................................................................................................180
Culture.................................................................................................................................................181
Notes.....................................................................................................................................................181
Joulupoyta...............................................................................................................................................181
Julmust .....................................................................................................................................................182
Kalach .......................................................................................................................................................183
Ukrainian tradition.........................................................................................................................183
Knack ........................................................................................................................................................183
Recipe...................................................................................................................................................183
Kutia..........................................................................................................................................................184
General recipe...................................................................................................................................184
Lebkuchen...............................................................................................................................................185
Lefse ..........................................................................................................................................................186
Lutefisk.....................................................................................................................................................187
Contents..............................................................................................................................................187
General ................................................................................................................................................188
Preparation........................................................................................................................................188
Cooking................................................................................................................................................188

14. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
13
Eating...................................................................................................................................................189
Origin....................................................................................................................................................189
Inception.............................................................................................................................................189
Traces in literature .........................................................................................................................189
Misconception of Norwegians and lutefisk...........................................................................190
Lutefisk humor.................................................................................................................................190
Other.....................................................................................................................................................191
Spellings..............................................................................................................................................191
Notes.....................................................................................................................................................191
Marzipan..................................................................................................................................................191
Contents..............................................................................................................................................192
Recipe...................................................................................................................................................192
History.................................................................................................................................................192
Etymology ..........................................................................................................................................193
Trivia....................................................................................................................................................193
Mince pie .................................................................................................................................................193
Contents..............................................................................................................................................193
Description.........................................................................................................................................194
History.................................................................................................................................................194
Folklore and Traditions ................................................................................................................194
Variations ...........................................................................................................................................194
Trivia....................................................................................................................................................195
References..........................................................................................................................................195
Notes.....................................................................................................................................................195
Mincemeat tart......................................................................................................................................195
Mulled wine............................................................................................................................................196
See also................................................................................................................................................196
Oplatek.....................................................................................................................................................196
Pandoro....................................................................................................................................................197
History.................................................................................................................................................197
Panettone ................................................................................................................................................198
Contents..............................................................................................................................................199
Origins..................................................................................................................................................199

15. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
14
Panettone leaves Italy....................................................................................................................199
Pfeffernusse............................................................................................................................................200
Pinnekjott................................................................................................................................................200
Pio Quinto................................................................................................................................................201
Portuguese sweet bread....................................................................................................................201
See also................................................................................................................................................201
Queso de bola.........................................................................................................................................201
See also................................................................................................................................................201
Reveillon..................................................................................................................................................202
Food......................................................................................................................................................202
Differences.........................................................................................................................................202
Rice pudding ..........................................................................................................................................202
Types of Rice Pudding ...................................................................................................................202
East Asia..............................................................................................................................................203
South Asia...........................................................................................................................................203
Middle East ........................................................................................................................................203
Europe .................................................................................................................................................203
Latin America....................................................................................................................................204
North America ..................................................................................................................................204
History.................................................................................................................................................204
Rice pudding in folklore................................................................................................................205
Rice pudding in literature............................................................................................................205
Romeritos................................................................................................................................................206
Rum ball...................................................................................................................................................207
Recipe...................................................................................................................................................207
Rumtopf ...................................................................................................................................................208
Smalahove...............................................................................................................................................208
How to eat smalahove ...................................................................................................................208
Sorpotel....................................................................................................................................................208
Spritzgeback...........................................................................................................................................209
Stollen.......................................................................................................................................................210
Contents..............................................................................................................................................210
History.................................................................................................................................................210

16. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
15
Stollen today......................................................................................................................................211
See also................................................................................................................................................211
Sugar plum..............................................................................................................................................211
The Sugar Plum Tree......................................................................................................................211
References..........................................................................................................................................211
Szaloncukor............................................................................................................................................212
Tamale......................................................................................................................................................212
Contents..............................................................................................................................................213
Tamales in Latin America.............................................................................................................213
Tamales in the United States.......................................................................................................214
Tamales in the Caribbean.............................................................................................................214
Tourtiere..................................................................................................................................................215
Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean..............................................................................................................215
Trifle..........................................................................................................................................................215
Turron ......................................................................................................................................................216
Twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper...............................................................................................217
Vanillekipferl .........................................................................................................................................219
Wassail .....................................................................................................................................................219
Contents..............................................................................................................................................219
History.................................................................................................................................................219
Recipes.................................................................................................................................................220
Other uses and similarities..........................................................................................................220
Yule log.....................................................................................................................................................220
Christmas-linked holidays................................................................................................................222
Black Friday ................................................................................................................................................223
Contents..............................................................................................................................................223
Origin....................................................................................................................................................223
Response (Buy Nothing Day)......................................................................................................224
Workers...............................................................................................................................................224
Controversy.......................................................................................................................................224
See also................................................................................................................................................224
Boxing Day..............................................................................................................................................225
Contents..............................................................................................................................................225

17. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
16
Origins..................................................................................................................................................225
Commonwealth observance........................................................................................................226
European observance....................................................................................................................227
Canadian observance.....................................................................................................................227
Trivia....................................................................................................................................................227
References..........................................................................................................................................227
Boxing Week ..........................................................................................................................................228
Chrismahanukwanzakah...................................................................................................................228
See also................................................................................................................................................229
Chrismukkah..........................................................................................................................................230
See also................................................................................................................................................231
Christmas Eve.............................................................................................................................................232
Declaration of Christmas Peace.................................................................................................233
See also................................................................................................................................................234
Christmas Sunday ................................................................................................................................234
Distaff day ...............................................................................................................................................234
Epiphany..................................................................................................................................................234
Contents..............................................................................................................................................235
Epiphany in different Christian rites.......................................................................................235
Western Christian Churches (Old World)..............................................................................235
Western Christian Churches Spain and Ibero-America....................................................236
Eastern Christian Churches.........................................................................................................237
See also................................................................................................................................................237
Handsel Monday...................................................................................................................................238
Hogmanay...............................................................................................................................................238
Contents..............................................................................................................................................238
Origins..................................................................................................................................................238
Customs...............................................................................................................................................239
Presbyterian Influence..................................................................................................................239
Ne'erday..............................................................................................................................................240
Handsel Day.......................................................................................................................................240
Etymology ..........................................................................................................................................240
References..........................................................................................................................................241

18. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
17
HumanLight............................................................................................................................................241
Night of the Radishes..........................................................................................................................241
Posadas ....................................................................................................................................................242
Contents..............................................................................................................................................242
Meaning...............................................................................................................................................242
Ritual....................................................................................................................................................242
Mexico..................................................................................................................................................243
Purification of the Virgin...................................................................................................................243
Contents..............................................................................................................................................243
Date.......................................................................................................................................................243
History.................................................................................................................................................244
Relation to non-Christian celebrations...................................................................................245
Traditions and superstitions.......................................................................................................246
References..........................................................................................................................................247
Sol Invictus..............................................................................................................................................247
Contents..............................................................................................................................................247
Elagabalus ..........................................................................................................................................248
Aurelian...............................................................................................................................................248
Constantine........................................................................................................................................248
Sol Invictus and Christianity.......................................................................................................248
Notes.....................................................................................................................................................249
St. Stephen's Day ..................................................................................................................................249
Contents..............................................................................................................................................250
Around the world............................................................................................................................250
Ireland..................................................................................................................................................250
Catalonia.............................................................................................................................................250
Republika Srpska.............................................................................................................................250
See also................................................................................................................................................251
Twelfth Night.........................................................................................................................................251
Contents..............................................................................................................................................251
Origins and history .........................................................................................................................252
Traditions...........................................................................................................................................252
Influence on Literature .................................................................................................................252

19. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
18
Modern Esotericism .......................................................................................................................252
See also................................................................................................................................................252
References..........................................................................................................................................253
Twelve Days of Christmas.................................................................................................................253
Contents..............................................................................................................................................253
Festival ................................................................................................................................................253
Christmas carol ................................................................................................................................254
Structure and lyrics ........................................................................................................................254
Symbolic interpretation................................................................................................................255
Standard variations........................................................................................................................255
Parodies ..............................................................................................................................................256
Cost .......................................................................................................................................................258
References..........................................................................................................................................259
Twelve Holy Days.................................................................................................................................259
See also................................................................................................................................................261
References..........................................................................................................................................261
Winterval.................................................................................................................................................261
Contents..............................................................................................................................................261
Birmingham controversy .............................................................................................................262
See also................................................................................................................................................262
Christmas music........................................................................................................................................263
Contents..............................................................................................................................................263
List of Christmas songs .................................................................................................................264
General Christmas songs..............................................................................................................264
Best known by one particular artist.........................................................................................265
Not intended as a Christmas song.............................................................................................269
Christmas albums............................................................................................................................270
Christmas songs introduced in movies and other popular media ...............................271
French language Christmas songs ............................................................................................271
German language Christmas songs...........................................................................................272
Occitan language Christmas songs ...........................................................................................272
Swedish language Christmas songs..........................................................................................272
Christmas carol.....................................................................................................................................273

20. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
19
Media....................................................................................................................................................274
See also................................................................................................................................................274
List of Christmas carols......................................................................................................................274
Well known carols...........................................................................................................................274
Popular Christmas songs that are not considered carols................................................277
Charity record........................................................................................................................................283
Christmas traditions ...........................................................................................................................284
Advent calendar.........................................................................................................................................285
See also................................................................................................................................................285
Advent wreath.......................................................................................................................................286
American Christmas traditions ...........................................................................................................287
Contents..............................................................................................................................................287
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................288
Traditions...........................................................................................................................................288
Christmas tree ..................................................................................................................................288
Santa Claus.........................................................................................................................................288
Nativity scene....................................................................................................................................289
Christmas card..................................................................................................................................289
Christmas carol ................................................................................................................................289
Christmas gift....................................................................................................................................289
Christmas lights ...............................................................................................................................289
Television and movies...................................................................................................................289
See also................................................................................................................................................290
Ashen faggot...........................................................................................................................................290
See also................................................................................................................................................290
Christmas Bird Count .........................................................................................................................291
Contents..............................................................................................................................................291
History.................................................................................................................................................291
Methods...............................................................................................................................................291
Participation......................................................................................................................................292
Bracebridge dinner..............................................................................................................................292
Bubble light ............................................................................................................................................293
Patents.................................................................................................................................................294

21. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
20
Christmas card ......................................................................................................................................295
Contents..............................................................................................................................................295
History.................................................................................................................................................295
The Christmas card list .................................................................................................................296
Christmas letters .............................................................................................................................297
Variants on the concept ................................................................................................................297
Charity .................................................................................................................................................297
Carols by Candlelight..........................................................................................................................297
Contents..............................................................................................................................................297
History.................................................................................................................................................297
Events...................................................................................................................................................298
Broadcast............................................................................................................................................298
Christmas cracker................................................................................................................................298
History.................................................................................................................................................299
Christmas customs in Poland ..........................................................................................................299
See also................................................................................................................................................299
Christmas customs in Romania ......................................................................................................300
See also................................................................................................................................................300
Christmas customs in the Philippines..........................................................................................300
Contents..............................................................................................................................................301
Misa de Gallo (Dec. 16-24)............................................................................................................301
Christmas Eve...................................................................................................................................301
Christmas Day...................................................................................................................................302
Niños Inocentes................................................................................................................................302
New Year's Eve (Dec. 31) .............................................................................................................303
Three Kings (First Sunday of the year)...................................................................................303
Decorations........................................................................................................................................303
Parol .....................................................................................................................................................303
Belen.....................................................................................................................................................304
Caroling...............................................................................................................................................304
Christmas dinner..................................................................................................................................304
Contents..............................................................................................................................................305
Christmas dinner around the world ........................................................................................305

22. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
21
Australia..............................................................................................................................................305
Austria .................................................................................................................................................305
Canada .................................................................................................................................................305
Eastern Europe.................................................................................................................................306
Germany..............................................................................................................................................306
Mexico..................................................................................................................................................306
United Kingdom...............................................................................................................................306
United States .....................................................................................................................................306
References..........................................................................................................................................307
Christmas tree............................................................................................................................................308
Contents..............................................................................................................................................308
Dates.....................................................................................................................................................308
Types of trees used.........................................................................................................................308
Natural trees......................................................................................................................................309
Artificial trees ...................................................................................................................................310
Feather trees.....................................................................................................................................310
Modern trees.....................................................................................................................................310
Designer trees...................................................................................................................................311
Outdoor trees....................................................................................................................................311
Other gimmicks................................................................................................................................311
Environmental issues ....................................................................................................................311
Decoration and ornaments..........................................................................................................312
Tree mats and skirts.......................................................................................................................312
Flocking...............................................................................................................................................313
History.................................................................................................................................................314
Name controversy...........................................................................................................................317
Usage controversy...........................................................................................................................317
See also................................................................................................................................................317
Christmas worldwide..............................................................................................................................319
Contents..............................................................................................................................................319
Asia........................................................................................................................................................320
India......................................................................................................................................................320
Korea....................................................................................................................................................320

23. NICOLAE SFETCU: ABOUT CHRISTMAS
22
Japan.....................................................................................................................................................320
People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, and Macao ..........................................................321
Philippines .........................................................................................................................................321
Republic of China (Taiwan).........................................................................................................322
The Americas ....................................................................................................................................322
Mexico..................................................................................................................................................322
United States and Canada.............................................................................................................322
South America...................................................................................................................................322
Australia..............................................................................................................................................323
Europe .................................................................................................................................................324
Central Europe..................................................................................................................................324
Czech Republic .................................................................................................................................324
Poland..................................................................................................................................................325
Slovakia ...............................................................................................................................................326
Eastern Europe.................................................................................................................................326
Romania..............................................................................................................................................327
Russia...................................................................................................................................................327
Northern Europe .............................................................................................................................327
German-speaking areas of Europe ...........................................................................................327
Germany..............................................................................................................................................328
The Netherlands and Belgium....................................................................................................328
Sweden ................................................................................................................................................329
Norway................................................................................................................................................330
Finland.................................................................................................................................................331
Southern Europe..............................................................................................................................331
Ireland..................................................................................................................................................331
The UK .................................................................................................................................................331
Africa....................................................................................................................................................332
Nigeria .................................................................................................................................................332
See also................................................................................................................................................332
Christmastime greetings ...................................................................................................................333
Contents..............................................................................................................................................333
History.................................................................................................................................................333