Christmas nativity scene COBI 20006 - Special Collection - kopie

You know that:

• The magical Christmas Eve is associated with many Christmas customs and superstitions.
• The first written mention of Christmas celebrations dates back to 1400, written by the Benedictine monk Jan of Holešov.
• The Christmas tree does not have a long tradition for that. It began to appear in the homes of wealthy townspeople from the 1840s.
• The first Christmas decoration consisted of fruit or nuts wrapped in colored papers. Later, decorations made of straw, dough, gingerbread and glass decorations appear.
• Mistletoe has been hung over the Christmas Eve table since the Middle Ages. People believed in healing effects against colds, jaundice, scabies and bites.

Christmas customs around the world:

• Japan - Many Japanese people order chicken from KFC on Christmas Eve because they consider it a traditional meal. Behind this belief is a campaign by a Japanese advertising agency from the 1970s.
• Italy - In Italy, a witch named Befana brings gifts to children on a broomstick.
• Greece - Greek families host a Christmas Eve dinner where a roast pig is served. After dinner, they take the bread and wine to the church.
• Norway - Residents of Norway hide broomsticks so that witches can't ride on them on Christmas Eve.
• South Africa - Residents of South Africa celebrate the Christmas braai by grilling and drinking alcohol.

Rowan Atkinson:

"Why does the Christmas tree fall over every time I look at it?"