Glögg, Jultomten and of course Lucia: Sweden has a lot to offer around Christmas. But how is Christmas celebrated in other countries and what funny traditions can be found? Today’s Advent calendar article brings the stories of three international students. Did you know that Iceland has more than one Santa Claus?
Ómar Örn Karlsson, from Iceland
“In Iceland, we have not one Santa Claus, but thirteen jólasveinar, as we call them! In pagan times, they were a bit mean creatures, which would do things like slamming doors or stealing. But nowadays, they look more like the American Santa Claus. In the thirteen days directly preceding Christmas, children can put their shoe close to the window and they will receive a small present from them every day.
I have never really believed in these Christmas men: my family only started with it when I was already four or five. My parents sometimes also gave me the choice of having one big present with Christmas instead of thirteen small presents. One year I received a cat, which was really cool. Speaking of cats, Iceland also has a Christmas Cat. She is scary, for the story tells that she eats all the children that don’t get new clothes for Christmas…”
Maria Juschen, master student from Germany
“Christmas time starts already during the weeks before Christmas in Germany. I would watch traditional Christmas movies and I used to get an Advent Calendar, with a little chocolate for every day until Christmas. This year my mum sent me one too, self-made!”
We also every year bake cookies and decorate them in a really nice way; it takes like ten minutes per cookie and then they’re eaten in two seconds! Another tradition is the Weihnachtsmarkt. My town, Dresden, has one of the oldest. This is an enormous market on a big square, with many booths. There they sell glühwein, tasty things, presents… I usually go there several times, both with my friends and with my family.
On Christmas eve, the 24th of December, somebody of my family will dress up as Santa Claus and bring in the presents. When you get a gift, you have to do something, for example sing a song. On that day, my mother also always starts a very large puzzle with like 1000 pieces, so that we can make the puzzle during the Christmas days.”
Julian Erjautz – exchange student from Austria
“In the beginning of January, in Austria, groups of four kids dress up. Three become the Kings from the East, who in de bible story travel to Bethlehem to give presents to the baby Jesus. The fourth child carries the star. Accompanied by an adult, the group will go from door to door, visiting the people of a village or neighborhood. They carry incense with them, sing songs and write with chalk a blessing on every door. At the end of their visit, the people that they visited will give them some money.
This singing is organized by the Church in Austria; the money is donated to several charity projects, while one project gets specific attention . Every year, millions of euro´s for charity are collected in this way. I myself have done this singing since I was six. The last years I often accompany a group of kids. It’s fun to do and for a good cause, although for kids it can be exhausting. But they usually receive chocolate along the way!”
