Christmas Cards

The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Britain in 1840 when the first 'Penny Post' public postal deliveries began. (Helped by the new railway system, the public postal service was the 19th century's communication revolution, just as email is for us today.) As printing methods improved, Christmas cards were produced in large numbers from about 1860. They became even more popular in Britain when a card could be posted in an unsealed envelope for one half-penny - half the price of an ordinary letter.

Irish Christmas Tradition

The placing of a lighted candle in the window of a house on Christmas eve is still practised today. It has a number of purposes but primarily it was a symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph as they travelled looking for shelter.

The candle also indicated a safe place for priests to perform mass as, during Penal Times this was not allowed.

A further element of the tradition is that the candle should be lit by the youngest member of the household and only be extinguished by a girl bearing the name 'Mary'.
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Christmas in Italy

Christmas in Italy is rich in traditions which have, for the most part, a religious history. Before the Festivities begin Christmas trees and Nativity scenes are prepared and a lot of food and presents are bought. All towns and cities are lavishly decorated and wonderfully lit which serve as backgrounds for local Christmas shows. Besides the Christmas tree another typical household decoration is the Nativity Scene, found in particular in the South. According to tradition it dates back to St. Francis of Assisi and the oldest is believed to be that of Arnolfo di Cambio (1280) which is housed and preserved in the Basilica of S. Maria Maggiore in Rome.
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Christmas in Australia

Boxing Day, December 26, is a public holiday in Australia. The day probably takes its name from the fact that on the day after Christmas in Britain the alms [charity] boxes which had been placed in the churches over the Christmas period were opened. The contents were distributed to the poor. On the same day, apprentices and servants broke open small earthenware boxes in which their masters had deposited small sums of money. In large households, the family may have used this day to distribute Christmas boxes to their staff. In Canberra [Boxing Day] is the start of the annual exodus to the beach and a holiday at the coast.

Christmas in Denmark

In Denmark we eat turkey every Christmas. You get your presents late in Christmas Eve. You also have a sermon in church on Christmas Eve. Then you go to your relatives or home to celebrate. We eat rice a la malte. We put an almond in one and the one who gets it wins a prize. Then we dance around the Christmas tree when we have eaten.

Christmas in Mexico

Christmas festivities begin with "Las Posadas," nine days from [December 16 to December 24] of lively parties. In villages and urban neighborhoods throughout Mexico, youngsters gather each afternoon to re-enact the holy family's quest for lodging in Bethlehem. The parade stops at a designated house to sing a traditional [song]. Holiday festivities end on "Noche Buena" (Christmas Eve) when families head home for a traditional Christmas supper and opening of gifts for the children. December 25th is set aside as a day to rest and enjoy the holiday. [On Christmas Eve] my family gathers for a traditional Christmas supper: "tamales" and Champurrado (corn gruel), or other traditional dishes. We dance and wait for 12 midnight to exchange and open gifts! Most relatives stay for the leftovers the next day.