Friday, September 24, 2021
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Countdown to Christmas 2021 Midweek 1
Around the World for Christmas! First Stop: Argentina
This year, we will be going to climb into Santa’s sleigh and head around the world while he delivers his presents to good boys and girls. We are going to peek in on the celebrations from all of our neighbors celebrating Christmas. Maybe, we will grab a toast or three along the way.Dress warm; wear your mittens; put your scarf on; wear goggles if you have them. We are on our way!
First stop is Argentina.
Argentina is made up of around 92 percent Catholics, so their celebrations are close to a traditional Catholic celebration filled with Mass and church celebrations. The Argentineans greet you with Feliz Navidad in order to wish you a Merry Christmas.
There are many days of Christmas carols, family gatherings and beautiful decorations in red, green and gold. The doors of the homes are draped in garland, and the Christmas tree may be adorned in lace. Because of the traditional Roman Catholic heritage, the Nativity Scene – persebre – is one of the most important parts of decorating for the holidays. Every family has one, and it is prominently displayed during the season.
Because Christmas falls during a very warm season in Argentina, the Argentineans like to apply cotton balls to the tips of tree branches to simulate snow. You might want to remove your mittens or hats at this point.
Christmas dinner is served on the 24th of December in the evening, and the celebration is followed by a toast for the adults and fireworks to delight the children. Presents are opened at midnight while lovely paper balloons – globos – fly through the night sky, piloted by a lit candle.
Christmas dinner consists of a roast turkey or pork. Stuffed tomatoes, minced pie and puddings accompany the dinner. The main dish could be a roasted duck or a peacock. Another traditional favorite is the ninos enveuettas, which is a combination of minced meat, onions, hardboiled eggs and spices all stuffed into the center of 3-inch strip of steak. This is served with chimichurri. The toast consists of a fruit drink with chunks of fruit. Deserts of dulce de leche (mahvelous caramel) and a lager or two round out the evening.
The blending of Hispanic, European and American traditions make Christmas in Argentina one that most can recognize, but with an amazing combination of blended foods that are sure to delight the taste buds with their spices.
The holiday season is finalized on the 6th of January with the gift of the Three Kings Day being distributed to the children of Argentina. Children place their shoes outside the home, and the Magi come and fill them with gifts. Instead of cookies and milk, Argentinean children put hay and water out for the Magi’s horses. Some children keep their shoes under their beds. Maybe those were the bad kids.
Maybe some of these gifts have found their way into the wrapped presents under the tree.
Vintage Swarovski Amber Topaz Earrings, Autumn Teardrop Jewelry
Lilacs Lampwork Earrings, Purple Green Amethyst Handmade Jewelry Gift
Red Wood and Ochre Riverstone Lightweight 19 inch Necklace Set
Blue Yellow Orange Handmade Polymer Clay Earrings for Women Dangles
Quick, everyone back in the sleigh.
We have a lot more stops to make on our journey around the world for Christmas, and I would not want you to miss the trip.
Enjoy,
Julie and Harry
Countdown to Christmas Midweek 2 - Australia
Around the World for Christmas! Another Down Under Stop
Wrap up the ‘roos and the ‘toos, we are going to Australia! Kangaroos and Cockatoos that is.
Following most of the rest of the world in festival traditions, Australian festivals are much like what the rest of the faithful observe for Christmas. The influence of the European Christmas makes the celebrations almost the same. Well, except for no snow, so keep your mittens and hats in your pockets for this trip.
The schools in Australia recognize the holiday and let all the stocking stuffers out for the day.
The influx of immigrants is taking the traditional holiday and putting other twists on it. With all the ethnic influences, the traditions will begin to change in the future to incorporate other national traditions.
Until then, the population of 18 million Australians share the holidays by spending time with family and friends, sharing gifts and eating lots of yummy food. Lots and lots of yummy food. Beach picnics and camping trips are not uncommon ways to celebrate the holidays. It is summer, after all.
A typical feast is filled with seafood, chicken, duck, turkey, deli meats, glazed ham and pasta. A favorite dessert is a Russian delight called pavlova. This is a meringue based dessert named after famed ballet dancer Anna Pavlova. There is a bit of a tussle over whether the dessert originated in New Zealand or Australia, but both countries agree that is was inspired by Pavlova. This dessert has a thin crust and is filled with kiwi, strawberries or passionfruit. It has lots and lots of cream.
Customary and recognizable traditional decorations and rituals are about the same as their European counterparts. There is caroling and greeting cards. There are traditional Christmas Eve services at churches and a mass on Christmas day for the Catholic participants.
The Australian Christmas Bush is a traditional decorative plant used in holiday decorations. This is also their fire season, so many of the members of the fire department are on high alert to wildfires.
The warm weather encourages outdoor candlelight services on Christmas Eve, and a crowd of participants gathering in Melbourne for the service can number into the thousands. This is a televised service, and it is filled with traditional carols and those carols particular to Australia like “Santa
Following most of the rest of the world in festival traditions, Australian festivals are much like what the rest of the faithful observe for Christmas. The influence of the European Christmas makes the celebrations almost the same. Well, except for no snow, so keep your mittens and hats in your pockets for this trip.
The schools in Australia recognize the holiday and let all the stocking stuffers out for the day.
The influx of immigrants is taking the traditional holiday and putting other twists on it. With all the ethnic influences, the traditions will begin to change in the future to incorporate other national traditions.
Until then, the population of 18 million Australians share the holidays by spending time with family and friends, sharing gifts and eating lots of yummy food. Lots and lots of yummy food. Beach picnics and camping trips are not uncommon ways to celebrate the holidays. It is summer, after all.
A typical feast is filled with seafood, chicken, duck, turkey, deli meats, glazed ham and pasta. A favorite dessert is a Russian delight called pavlova. This is a meringue based dessert named after famed ballet dancer Anna Pavlova. There is a bit of a tussle over whether the dessert originated in New Zealand or Australia, but both countries agree that is was inspired by Pavlova. This dessert has a thin crust and is filled with kiwi, strawberries or passionfruit. It has lots and lots of cream.
Customary and recognizable traditional decorations and rituals are about the same as their European counterparts. There is caroling and greeting cards. There are traditional Christmas Eve services at churches and a mass on Christmas day for the Catholic participants.
The Australian Christmas Bush is a traditional decorative plant used in holiday decorations. This is also their fire season, so many of the members of the fire department are on high alert to wildfires.
The warm weather encourages outdoor candlelight services on Christmas Eve, and a crowd of participants gathering in Melbourne for the service can number into the thousands. This is a televised service, and it is filled with traditional carols and those carols particular to Australia like “Santa
Never Made it into Darwin” or “Six White Boomers”.
Six White Boomers
Early on one Christmas Day, a Joey Kanga-roo,
Was far from home and lost in a great big zoo.
Mummy, where's my mummy? They've taken her a-way.
We'll help you find your mummy, son. Hop up on the sleigh.
Up beside the bag of toys little Joey hopped,
But they hadn't gone far when Santa stopped.
Unharnessed all the reindeer and Joey wondered why,
Then he heard a far off booming in the sky.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
Pretty soon old Santa began to feel the heat,
Took his fur-lined boots off to cool his feet,
Into one popped Joey, feeling quite okay,
While those old man kangaroos kept pulling on the sleigh.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
Joey said to Santa, Santa, what about the toys?
Aren't you giving some to these girls and boys?
They've got all their presents, son, we were here last night,
This trip is an extra trip, Joey's special flight.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
Soon the sleigh was flashing past, right over Marble Bar,
Slow down there, cried Santa, it can't be far,
Come up on my lap here, son, and have a look around.
There she is, that's Mummy, bounding up and down.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
Well that's the bestest Christmas treat that Joey ever had,
Curled up in mother's pouch feeling snug and glad.
The last they saw was Santa heading northwards from the sun,
The only year the boomers worked a double run.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
(by the way, a boomer is an adult male kangaroo)
Thanks to Catherine and Seamus for making me laugh out loud when they shared this!
When it is all said and done, the next day is celebrated with Boxing Day.
This tradition is derived from the thought that employers boxed gifts for their employees the day after Christmas. Now, it is celebrated by cricket. The Australian team competes on Boxing Day, and those who are still in the holiday spirit cheer on their team during the test match. Sailing fans enjoy the start of the Bluewater Classic with the launching of the yacht race from Sydney to Hobart.
All in all, the day is spent playing in the water, basking in the sun and picnicking on the beach while singing about boomers and eating pavlov.
Maybe one of those boomers has put something beautiful under the tree for all the little joeys.
Cream Pearls and Siam Heart Swarovski Crystal Bracelet, Jewelry Gift
Carved Rose Shell Pendant and Mother of Pearl 19 inch Necklace
Giraffe Boho Earrings, Black White Tribal Batik Coral Handmade Jewelry
Christmas Earrings for Women with Coordinating Beads, Holiday Jewelry
Looking for something different?
Here are more links to more beautiful, handmade gifts.
Ask any of the artists if you would like something special from their shops. Most do custom work, too.
Quick, everyone back in the sleigh.
We have a lot more stops to make on our journey around the world for Christmas, and I would not want you to miss the trip.
Enjoy,
Julie and Harry
