Curated by Ed Boitano

The 12 Days of Christmas

The 12 Days of Christmas start on Christmas Day and last until the evening of the 5th January – also known as Twelfth Night. The 12 Days have been celebrated in Europe since before the middle ages and were a time of celebration.

The 12 Days each traditionally celebrate a feast day for a saint and/or have different celebrations.

Charting the Adventure Travel Industry’s Path to Recovery

Written by Heather Kelly

Tripadvisor and Phocuswright recently released a joint report reviewing consumer travel behavioral trends throughout 2020: A Year in Travel: Charting the Travel Industry’s Path to Recovery (free and publicly available). This report analyzes search and click data on Tripadvisor’s website throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, offers insights based on how travelers’ attitudes to travel are changing, and looks at what these trends may mean for the future recovery of the travel industry. The findings correspond with research from the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and offer additional insights into how the adventure travel industry can adapt to changing consumer preferences.

No Two Alike: The First Photos of Snowflakes

Courtesy of Brian Clark Howard, National Geographic

Published in 1923, these vintage images highlight the beauty and mystery of snow crystals.

In the late 1800s, a self-educated Vermont farmer by the name of Wilson Bentley made the first successful image, or “photomicrograph,” of a single snowflake. He used a bellows camera attached to a microscope.

Here are some of the very first photos of snowflakes.

8 Immune-Boosting Smoothies We Want to Sip All Day Long

Courtesy Mary Nunes

Whether it’s flu season, allergy season, or you’re just in the mood for a refreshing, flavorful drink, an immune-boosting smoothie is always a good idea. By snacking on something as easy and convenient as a smoothie, you can jam-pack your body with antioxidants, vitamins, and more superfoods that kick-start your immune system into gear. Smoothies are (rightfully) all the rage these days, as they are easy to make, totally filling, and can give your body a plethora of health benefits.

You Might be an American Traveling Abroad if…

Inspired by Jeff Foxworthy with assistance from the Alot Travel Team

If you wear a Baseball Cap while traveling abroad you might be an American tourist.

Baseball is the American pastime, right? At least, it was at one point, and it’s still thought of that way, even though we watch more pro football than baseball at this point.

Still, we love the caps, and we carry them around with us everywhere — including overseas, where they immediately mark us as Americans.

5 Things Science Says Will Make You Happier

Research-backed habits that will improve your outlook and positive attitude

By Nataly Kogan
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD

It’s easy to assume that things like money and a luxurious lifestyle lead to happiness, but research shows that it’s the more simple experiences — like practicing gratitude or spending time with friends — that promote a sunny outlook.

Whether you need to shift from negative thoughts or want to continue a streak of positivity, here are five ways to boost happiness every day.

“Heroes of Our America”: Reading a “Patriotic” History of the United States

By Alan J. Singer

Not long ago, history textbooks were written as patriotic fables. Examining one offers a warning about the cost of putting mythmaking ahead of historical learning

Heroes of Our America (1952) was a history book for fourth graders published by the Iroquois Publishing Company of Syracuse, New York. Its co-authors were Gertrude and John Van Duyn Southworth. John Southworth, with Harvard and Columbia University degrees, taught at a number of schools in the New York metropolitan area and was president of the publishing company. Gertrude Southworth, his frequent co-author, was also his mother.

I picked it off my office shelf after Donald Trump called for teaching “patriotic history” in American schools as a defense against a mythical radical “left” conspiracy and to ensure that  “our youth will be taught to love America.” Heroes of Our America is an example of the kind of “patriotic history” Donald and I were both exposed to as children in the 1950s. I grabbed the book when it was discarded from the Hofstra University Curriculum Materials Center only a couple of years ago.

 

Start the Year Off Right with a Journey to Well-Being

Enroll Now

Limited Space Available — Act Soon!

Hawaii Offers Tourists Free Hotel Stays in Exchange for Volunteer Work

The program’s goal is to inspire mindful travel

Written by Stefanie Waldek

If gorgeous beaches, an incredible cultural history, and active volcanoes aren’t enough to convince you to visit Hawaii, perhaps the state’s voluntourism deal for tourists will nudge you across the line.

As of Oct. 15, Hawaii has eliminated the 14-day quarantine requirement for visitors who partake in the official pre-travel testing program, which now means that the state is able to promote the Mālama Hawai‘i initiative to tourists.

MORE

WNPA Recently Announced the Recipients of its Annual Awards

Western National Parks Association (WNPA), a nonprofit education partner of the National Park Service (NPS) since 1938, recently announced the recipients of its annual awards. For over 30 years, WNPA has recognized individuals and organizations who make exceptional contributions to national parks and increase awareness of WNPA’s mission.

MORE

Dublin & Galway Selected Friendliest Cities in Europe

It’s travel award season on the island of Ireland! In recent weeks, the island has been awarded a number of exciting accolades. Both Dublin and Galway have topped the Condé Nast friendliest cities in Europe list, while EPIC The Irish Immigration Museum has been awarded Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction by the World Travel Awards for the second year running.

Meanwhile, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel experts were wowed by the Burren Ecotourism Network’s community effort, naming them one of ten winners in the new ‘Community’ category of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2021. Ireland’s Burren Ecotourism Network has been named one of ten winners in the new ‘Community’ category of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2021.

What Americans Abroad Should Not Expect

Pancakes

The fluffy flour-based pancakes that American’s have come to love at breakfast time (or for brinner) just aren’t found abroad. French crêpes are too thin. The Japanese version (okonomiyaki) is too thick and most often topped with savory things like meat, seafood, and cabbage. Australian-style pancakes are too eggy and have sugar in the dough.

MORE

The Radical History of Corporate Sensitivity Training

By Beth Blum

During these turbulent months, American corporations have responded to demands for racial justice by straining to showcase their sensitive sides. They’ve pledged, like Quaker Oats, to change offensive product names; they’ve scrambled, like Prada, nascar, and Delta, to implement emergency sensitivity workshops; and they’ve opted, like most of the major publishing houses, to hire sensitivity readers to vet new manuscripts for racist representations. Not so at the Donald Trump White House.

MORE

The Future of History in the Pandemic Age

By Michael Creswell

Historians need to consider and prepare for changes to the profession that will follow the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attempting to predict the future is always perilous, and events frequently humble those who dare to try. Making predictions is especially hazardous for historians, who often struggle to explain the past. Peering into the future is not part of their professional training, and their efforts to do so are likely to fail.

MORE

The Pentagon is Missing the Big Picture on “Stars and Stripes”

By Mark T. Hauser

The Pentagon’s plan to scrap funding for the Stars and Stripes newspaper isn’t just an attack on a historic military institution. It’s ignoring the lessons the paper’s history offers for efficient operation and integrating military operations with the economic life of the nation.

MORE

The post Travel Path to Recovery, 12 Days of Christmas appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Peru

In Peru the nativity scene is very popular and can be found in just about every home. These scenes are often large and elaborate (sometimes taking up an entire wall), featuring statues of the Three Wise Men, Jesus in the manger, and other nativity figures. On occasion, you’ll find an Andean twist on the traditional scene with llamas and alpacas replacing the biblical images of donkeys and camels.

Attending church is a big part of the Christmas Eve celebration. Peruvians typically attend the misa de gallo or Rooster Mass, which usually begins at 10 p.m., which is actually earlier than some other South American countries.

After mass, some households begin their cena de Navidad (Christmas dinner) at midnight, while others first let the children open their gifts. Either way, both the meal and the opening of gifts take place around this time (with some exceptions in the Andean region, where gifts are opened on January 6 during Epiphany, or the Adoración de Reyes Magos).

After dinner on Christmas Eve, many take to the streets to greet friends and neighbors and continue the celebrations. Although technically illegal, fireworks are abundant and can be seen throughout the night.

Africa

Africa is widely varied as to the customs followed by the people. Native citizens do not celebrate Christmas unless they have been influenced by others who have introduced them to this holiday. Many cities were developed by European countries as colony settlements, and immigrants arrived with Christmas customs from their homelands. Activities are generally held out of doors.

Carolers gather around nativity scenes, and dinner may be served out in the yard. The Christmas tree is a decorated banana or coconut tree. Tribes have festive dances around big bonfires. On Christmas Eve children hang stockings or leave shoes for St. Nicholas to fill. Children may only get one, small homemade toy, but they are thrilled to get it.

Brazil

In Brazil, Christmas arrives at the beginning of summer. There is no snow or need to bundle up. Santa Claus is known as “Papai Noel” and wears the traditional costume as seen in countries where it is winter. The celebration runs from December 25th to January 6th (Three Kings’ Day), lasting 12 days. Many Brazilians attend Mass on Christmas Eve, where the Christmas story is retold. One week later on New Year’s Eve (or Reveillon), many people will flock to the beaches and participate in an African spiritualist ceremony that honors “Lemanja”, the goddess of the sea. Then on Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day, children put their shoes beside the window or outside the door, hoping to find them filled with treats the next day by the Three Wise Men. This officially ends the Christmas season.

Canada

Christmas is celebrated in many ways throughout the country. The children believe Santa Claus comes from the North Pole in a sleigh to deliver his gifts. French-Canadians have a very religious Christmas, where Christmas Eve is spent in church. After Church people go home to a family festival and dine on what is called Reveillon. Gifts are not usually exchanged until New Year’s. Anglo-Canadians and others Canadians celebrate Christmas in much the same way as we do in the U.S.

On January 6, a Kings of Epiphany feast is held, and a special cake is eaten with a pea and a bean baked into it. The people getting these prizes in their piece of cake are elected King and Queen of the 12th Night. This happy, joyous time ends the holiday season.

Cape Town, Africa

Cape Town in South Africa has the advantage of some wonderful beaches, and Christmas falls in mid-summer, so that’s where a lot of the fun happens. Interestingly enough all their Christmas Cards show snow, fir trees and other Eurocentric things. If they want holly, painted berries are used because they’re still green.

Most families get together at home, on the beach or at a restaurant for a cold lunch. Another major Cape Town holiday is “Tweede Nuwe Jaar,” Second New Year, which is traditionally the day the whole city goes to the beach. There’s also the Coon Carnival, where community groups dress up in colorful costumes and play typical Cape Music – banjos, squash boxes and tambourines.

Of course, Cape Town is a major holiday destination for the Transvaal, where most of the population of SA lives in large mining cities. The best part of Cape Town’s Christmas season is when the Vaalies go back to school.

Denmark

Christmas is Denmark’s greatest festival of the year. The chiming of church bells signal the festivities. Traditional Danish celebration is an elaborate Christmas dinner in honor of the beloved Nisse, the Gnome of Christmas. The Danish Christmas tree takes a very unique look with stars, bells, costumed dolls and strings of tiny Danish flags, combining with pine cones and many colors of handmade paper ornaments. At dusk on Christmas Day, the family’s father usually reads from the Christmas gospel. As night falls, the family sings the songs of the season.

England

Most of the activities in England center around church celebrations. Christmas caroling and Christmas plays and stories are favorites of the holiday season. Christmas trees are very popular, however instead of cutting them down, people dig them up along with some soil, and keep them in a large tub. After Christmas is over, the trees will be replanted again. Yule logs are also widely used. A large log is brought into the home to be burned in the fireplace. Before it is lighted, family members sit on it and wish for good luck in the coming year. Two popular Christmas foods are wassail and plum pudding. Wassail is a hot spiced apple beverage. The plum pudding has a small coin or trinket in one of the servings, and the person finding it is supposed to have good luck in the future. Children hang up stockings on Christmas Eve, and during the night, Father Christmas fills them with candy, nuts and toys. The English include the first weekday after Christmas, calling it Boxing Day. Sadly, during the period of the Protestant Reformation, it was illegal to celebrate Christmas, deemed a pagan Catholic holiday.

Estonia

The Christmas observance begins with the first evening star sighted on Christmas Eve. Tradition calls for Saint Nicholas to place wheat cakes on the window sill where they are devoured on Christmas day. The Christmas tree is adorned with handmade ornament balls, colorfully decorated eggs and candles. Christmas Eve supper is served on a table covered with straw, symbolizing the manger where the infant Jesus slept. Later, families dressed in native costumes, gather about their neighborhoods to sing Christmas carols.

Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, children get up early to be at 4:00 am church services. Later, those who live in the capitol city of Addis Ababa, dress in their best clothing and walk to the royal palace, where the Emperor hands them gifts.

Finland

Simplicity marks the decorations and the celebration of a Finnish Christmas. A balsa star tops the tree; a delicately made ornament that reflects the light of lamps or a bright fire in the fireplace, suggesting a starlit sky. Many tree decorations are edible. Straw is used to remind them of the manger. Christmas is a quiet day for the family in Finland. Dinner can include roast suckling pig, and the traditional rice pudding with an almond. The Finnish believe that the legend of Santa Claus began in Finland with the nation his official residence.

France (Joyeux Noel)

In France, most families enjoy two creches (Nativity Scene); the first in their own church, the other at home.  Holly and greens are purchased for a backdrop. A lighted star is always suspended over the creche. The family gathers and sings carols as the infant Jesus is placed in the manger. The Three Kings are placed in Nativity Scene on Epiphany Eve, (Jan 6).

A special cookie is baked. Some feel it must first be shared with needy people. In addition a ‘Cake of the Kings’ is used in the Jan 6th celebration. A bean is placed inside and the person finding it is given a crown and becomes king of the party. Christmas Eve is for gift giving, shoes are left by the fire to be filled by Pere Noel. Birch sticks are sometimes left as a reminder to be good. Ashes from the Yule log are saved and used during the year to ward off sickness, or other misfortunes. At midnight, on Christmas Eve, the grownups attend a special Mass. Afterwards, a late supper is served to adults. The children go to bed early to dream of their Christmas miracle.

The top of a traditional French Christmas tree carries a star of an angel. Bells, handcrafted exotic birds, pine cones  and candles are added to the tree. Often roses or other flowers and apples are added. French children place wooden shoes near the fireplace or under the tree. The shoes are filled with candies, oranges and chestnuts. Christmas presents are given on New Year’s Day.

Germany (Froehliche Weihnachten)

The 11th of November is St. Martin’s Day. St. Martin who lived in the 4th century was first a knight soldier. Later he became a bishop. He was a kind man and especially good to the poor people. One day he even shared his coat with a beggar, literally splitting it in half. Children carry lanterns in parades to praise him and also to bring light to the cold winter nights. A traditional dish to eat on St. Martin’s Tag is the goose. It is told that geese once saved St. Martin’s life.

The advent season includes the 4 consecutive Sundays before Christmas. This is when the children get ready for the arrival of the ‘Christkind’ or the ‘Weihnachtsman’, who will bring gifts on Christmas. An ‘Adventskranz’ is a wreath made of evergreen boughs held together with red ribbons where four red candles attached to it. The wreath is hung from the ceiling or put on a table.

Traditionally, one candle is lit the 1st advent Sunday and one additional candle for each of the following Sundays before Christmas. The advent wreath with no beginning and no end symbolizes eternity, as do the evergreen branches that it is made of. German children also keep an ‘Adventskalender. Every day during the season the children open one of the 24 little windows that can be found in the picture, until all 24 windows are opened on Christmas Eve.

St. Nikolaus Tag falls on December 6, and St Nikolaus will come and visit the children on the evening of the 5th. He looks very much like Santa Claus, but sometimes dressed like a bishop. He tries to find the good children, giving them  gifts, but also carries switches for the bad ones. Children often put their shoes out on the 5th, just in case he arrives while they are sleeping, and in the morning they find goodies or switches in them. Many years ago Sunnerklas (Santa) came on the 6th, but in modern times it is on Christmas Eve.

Greece

The Greek tree is without lights. Decorations are taken from nature or are homemade. Nuts and garlanded berries, olive branch circles, and holy pictures cover the tree. A cardboard star sits on top. Freshly sheered lamb’s wool drapes around the tree to represent a winter’s snow. A homemade stable (Nativity Scene) with the infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph play an important part in the celebration.

Israel: Jewish Traditions (Hanukkah)

Jewish children have a December holiday know as Hanukkah. The word ‘Hanukkah’ means dedication. Many years ago, (165 B.C.) enemies of the Jewish people had taken over their temple at Jerusalem. Finally, a small, brave group of Jews known as the Maccabees battled the enemy and won back the building. Then the Jews held a dedication service to their God. They wanted to keep a large Menorah  burning, but they only had enough oil to last one day. By some great miracle the lamp kept burning for eight days. Hanukkah still lasts eight days. Each night the families get together in their homes to light the Menorah, One candle is lit the first night, with an additional candle lit each night. “Rock of Ages” (Maoz Tzur in Hebrew), a hymn of praise to God, is sung after each night’s lighting of the candles Today, in the United States especially, it has become customary to use an electric Hanukkah menorah (known as a Hanukkiyah), which is placed in the front window for all to see.

No work is to be done by the light of the Menorah, so  families have fun together playing games, singing songs and exchanging gifts. A favorite traditional activity for the children is a game using a square top called a dreidel.  The Jewish symbols on the top say “A Great Miracle happened Here,” in remembrance of the oil that kept burning.

The celebration of Hanukkah in Jewish homes outside Israel (at least among the Askenazic Jews) is the same as described for Israel. The legend of the miracle oil did not surface until over 100 years after the dedication on December 10, 165 BC. The probable reason for the eight day celebration was that the Maccabees hadn’t had time to celebrate the harvest festival of Sukkot earlier in the year.

Also, due to possible non-maintenance of the calendar (adding an extra month 7 times in 19 years to keep the months aligned with the seasons) because of the Jew banning policies of the Syrian Greeks, the dedication may have really taken place on October 11, 165 BC, just after Sukkot (Oct 1 through Oct 8 that year). The Menorah: a seven-branched candelabrum described in the bible is used on Temple days. Today it is the official emblem of Israel. Most synagogues utilize a Menorah as part of the decor in the sanctuary. The special Menorah for Hanukkah has eight candlesticks and a ninth for the shammmash (server).To distinguish the two, the latter is called a Hanukkiyah.

Italy

Rome is the birthplace of the Christmas (Mass of Christ) celebration, stemming from the ancient solstice holiday of Saturnalia. Virtually all traditional Christmas events arrived from Saturnalia, with the exception of a live Nativity Scene, attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. Now, days before Christmas, the children of Italy go door to door singing favorite Christmas carols. They are often accompanied by pipers wearing bright red jackets and broad-brimmed hats with red tassels. They carry bagpipes, flutes and oboes, on which they play sweet holiday music.

The children and pipers may be invited into homes to sing carols and folk songs. On Christmas Eve, candles are lit as the children in the family take turns telling the wonderful story of Christmas and the birth of the holy “Bambino.” At this time, Italian families gather around their beloved “Presepio,” a shrine to the Holy Child, and pray. On the day of Christmas, all members of the family sit down to a feast of ravioli, tortellini al brodo or lasagna, varying on the region. On the 12th day of the holidays (Jan 6) a kindly old witch known as “La  Befana” brings gifts to the children. Legend has it that when Christ was born, the shepherds told La Befana of the wondrous happenings and the guiding star, but she delayed setting out. Every Christmas since, she wanders in search of the Holy Child, leaving gifts at each home in hope of finding him inside. La Bafana is often shown as being old and ugly, but the children of Italy love her very much. That is unless they have been naughty, for then their shoes will be filled with coal and ashes instead of candy and gifts.

Japan

Japan is not a predominantly Christian country, but Christmas has become a secular holiday that many Japanese people enjoy. Homes are decorated with evergreens, special meals are prepared, and Christmas songs sung. Santa, called Hoteisho, may visit some of the homes. Children believe that he has eyes on the back of his head so he can see all the good and bad things they do. More than Christmas, Japanese children look forward to New Year’s Day. All the homes are cleaned and scrubbed, then decorated with evergreens, bamboo, or flowers. Special rice cakes are made. Everyone pays for all their ills, so that they will not be starting the new year in debt. On New Year’s Eve, temple bells ring 108 times to show the old year is over and the new one is beginning. People put good luck poems under their pillows as they go to bed to bring good fortune in the coming year. On New Year’s Day everyone wears their finest clothes. Boys fly kites, girls play games, and people visit friends. Gifts are often exchanged at this time.

Mexico (Feliz Navidad)

Mexicans start their festivities on December 16. Each night for nine nights before Christmas, families go to each other’s homes for joyous parties or posadas. Each posada starts with a parade of all the guests. Leading the procession are people carrying small figures of the holy family and other Nativity Scene characters. The paradors go to a door of the host’s house and knock. The host calls out that there is no room in his house. The guests continue to sing and knock, and finally they are invited in. The holy figures are placed on an altar and the people pray and sing.

Soon the party drifts out onto the patio, where the high point is the breaking of the pinata, a large earthenware pot, usually decorated to look like a face, animal, or other appealing object. The pinata is suspended overhead by a rope, and blindfolded children strike at it with a large club. When it is broken, its contents shower to the ground and the children scramble quickly to gather its treasures. These usually include fruits, small toys, candy and games. On Christmas Eve, the largest posada of all is held. There are fireworks and noisemakers. At midnight, the people go to church and then, a large feast is held. Sometimes gifts are exchanged, but children often wait until King’s Day (Jan 6) to receive gifts. The night before King’s Day, the children have been busy filling their shoes with hay. During the night, the children believe the kings will pass on their way to Bethlehem, leaving hay is for their horses. In the morning, the hay is gone, and small toys and candy will be found in the shoes.

The Netherlands, from: Olaf Tuinder

The Netherlands: (‘Gelukkig Kerstfeest’; ‘Zalig Kerstfeest’) December 5th is called “Sinterklaas’ Avond” (St. Nicholas Eve). The children believe Sinterklaas sails into Holland on a big ship with his great white horse and his helper, Zwarte Piet (“Black Pete.”) He has come to deliver gifts to the good children. The children who have been misbehaving just might get a switch or a lump of coal. On St. Nicholas Eve, families gather to enjoy a family feast and to listen to the story of how St. Nicholas became a legend.

He especially loved children, and enjoyed giving them gifts on his birthday (Dec. 6th). Later, the Dutch people made St. Nicholas their patron saint. Before going to bed, Dutch children fill their shoes with hay and carrots for the big white horse. The shoes are set by the fireplace or the stove. In the morning, the food is gone and the shoes are filled with candy and toys.

Although Sinterklaas and Santa Claus have almost the same name, the one has nothing to do with the other. A few days before Christmas the Dutch decorate their Christmas tree with candles and other ornaments. Christmas music is played, and on Christmas Eve there are celebrations in the churches. Many Dutch families choose to give their children (and each other) presents at Sinterklaas, but not on Christmas Day. This is slowly changing in favor of Christmas Day. Presents are brought at night by the ‘Kerstman’ (Santa Claus) in a sledge with reindeer. Santa hangs the presents in the tree or puts them under the tree. Despite the Dutch Reformed Church as the Netherlands’ state religion, they ignored Northern Europe’s Protestant disdain of the Catholic holiday, and kept it alive, spreading it across the northern continent.

Norway

Norwegian church bells signal the beginning of Christmas at 4 P.M. Christmas eve. They call everyone to church. At home, fragile handmade ornaments in the shape of stars and circles adorn the Christmas tree. Norwegian flags are joined by string to encircle the tree. Often, cookies and other pastries in elaborate shapes are used as ornaments. A Norwegian family Christmas focuses on the tree, where presents are distributed to the children on Christmas Eve.

Poland

Garlands formed from paper chain links decorate a Polish Christmas tree. Handmade ornaments, elaborate swans made from egg shells, brightly colored birds, fish, shields and patriotic emblems, lend their individual form to the decoration. Straw is commonly used for decorating. It reminds the people that the Christ Child was born in a simple manger. To further recall the newborn Savior, the family leaves an empty chair for him.

Russia

The former USSR  outlawed the celebration of Christmas or any other religious holidays. Older Russian people, however, celebrated Christmas quietly in their own homes, often times on New Years Day. Many years ago, the Russian children used to expect St. Nicholas to visit them on Dec. 6th. They believed he came down from heaven with two helpers – an angel, with gifts for the good people, and a devilish character, who brought switches for misbehavers. In some parts of the country, “Baboushka” (Grandmother) would bring the gifts instead. The homes were decorated with Christmas trees and Nativity Scenes. For forty days before Christmas, people would fast.

Scotland

The Christmas Tree is a relatively new custom in Scotland. The first trees were decorated in a variety of ways, religious Christmas cards, tinsel garlands, paper chains, mesh bags of candy, colored bells, pull snappers. A tree was usually topped with a Christmas fairy. Some trees became home for a Christmas mouse. Unfortunately, since the end of World War II, the Scottish tree has become more standardized.

Spain

Christmas season begins on Christmas Eve and lasts until King’s Day on January 6th. Many families set up a ‘nacimiento’ with small figures of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and other manger characters. During the holidays, it will be the center for prayers, singing hymns and festive dancing. Christmas Eve day is spent in religious devotion in some families. Others enjoy spending the time at the gaily decorated market places which are piled high with fruits, candy, fancy foods and other colorful items. At midnight, the church bells ring and everyone goes to church to celebrate the birth of Christ. Christmas Day is spent attending more church services and in a huge family feast. Children do not usually decorate trees or hang up stockings. Instead, they wait until the night before King’s Day, and they fill their shoes with carrots and hay and put them on the windowsill. During the night, they believe the Three Kings will pass by. Carrots and hay are left for their tired camels, and the Three Kings will fill children’s shoes with candy and small gifts.

Sweden

The Christmas season begins at dawn on December 13 with St. Lucia’s Day, the Festival of Lights, celebrated in Sweden as well as Norway and the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland. One of the earliest Christian martyrs, Lucia  was killed by the Romans in 304 A.D. because of her religious beliefs, giving money and help to early Christians A girl from each household dresses in a long, white robe with a red sash. On her head is a halo of lighted candles and evergreen boughs. She moves from room to room singing and serving a breakfast of coffee and cakes to each member of the family. The candles on Lucia’s head are a symbol that the light of the sun will soon return to Sweden. Because this country is located so far north, days are dark and cold for may weeks before St. Lucia Day and the people are anxious for spring to arrive.

The Swedish people spend many busy weeks before Christmas scrubbing their homes and making special Christmas foods. Late in the afternoon of Christmas Eve Day, they go to church. After church, they hurry home for a huge Christmas feast. Birds and animals are especially remembered during this time. The animals receive an extra portion of their favorite food, and a sheaf of grain is tied in the yard for the birds. After the Christmas Eve meal, the family sits around their Christmas tree to sing carols and exchange gifts. Each gift comes with a poem written by the sender. Before the gift can be opened, the poem must be read for everyone to hear. Before going to bed, the children often set a bowl of porridge out for the Jultomten (Yule Man), a little elf whom they believe takes care of farm animals and watches over the home. Jultomten may even visit the family while they are awake, arriving in a sleigh pulled by a Christmas goat.

Ukraine

Needlework in the form of small pin-cushion-like pillows, ceramic drops decorated in traditional cross-stitched patterns, and real apples, decorated the Ukrainian Christmas tree. Nuts, candles and small wreaths hang from the tree branches. Sometimes thread cobwebs cover the spaces between the boughs. The Ukrainian Christmas always symbolizes health and wealth. The traditional colors of black and red are used in decorating.

Colonial U.S.

In Colonial America, Christmas was essentially a day of Spiritual observance. Carols were sung and church bells rang out to celebrate the commemoration of Christ’s birth. Early Americans decorated evergreen trees with things from nature and homemade items. Christmas was a warm, family experience for Colonial America. It blended the experience of a new land with the customs from a European heritage. The Puritans, however, did not celebrate Christmas, and it took awhile for the Catholic Mass of Christ tradition to become popular with a primarily Protestant population.

Native North AmerIndians

The Amer-Indian Christmas tree was inspired by the teepees of the plains Indians. Many years ago, the planes Indians celebrated the solstice with lights and feasting. Today the Christmas tree is topped with a handmade ornament called the ‘”Eye of God.” Each tree is trimmed by the children, who draw on nature for their designs. Animal hides lay under the decorated trees, where foods, cooking pots and pieces of Indian art are arranged.

USA

Christmas in the U.S. brings together many customs from other countries. Americans make or buy gifts for others, and family members help to decorate the tree and the home, using wreaths, candles, holly, mistletoe, ornaments and lights. Christmas music is played and there are special programs on television during the festive time. Children usually have a two week winter holiday and, before leaving school they have programs and parties with their friends. On Christmas Eve the children hang their stockings, near the chimney or fireplace, to be filled by Santa Claus. Santa comes with his sleigh and reindeer. He fills the stockings and leaves special gifts by the tree. Many families go to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for a religious service. The Church is lighted with candles and carols are sung. Like Protestant Colonial America, Christmas never really caught on until roughly 1840, due to the influx of Catholic immigrants. Soon  celebrating Christmas became more widespread. Finally, Christmas was declared a Federal U.S. holiday on December 25 in 1870. Since then Christmas Day has become a steadily more important holiday.

Hawaii

Hawaii’s Christmas traditions are much the same as the rest of the states, but with a unique Polynesian mix. Homes are decorated with greenery and native Hawaiian flowers. Christmas trees are present in numerous homes. Many families enjoy their Christmas meals at the beach. Sea foods and fresh fruits are popular foods, and you will often find pigs being roasted in underground pits as in a Luau. Some children believe Santa comes to them riding on a surfboard or in an outrigger canoe.

Happy Holidays!

Sources Consulted for original Article:

International Christmas (c) 1974 Trend enterprises, Inc. Information included with a bulletin board set.

Christmas Around the World by John D. Green. Taken from a magazine article clipped several years ago (magazine unknown). Mr Green was a writer for the Associated Press. To gather information for his article he spent time interviewing delegates to the United Nations and visiting foreign consultants in New York City.

Teachers Friend ? and other copies of materials or handouts used in classrooms (sources unknown), gathered while working in the school systems.

Articles from various sources (now unknown) gathered while stationed in Germany.

Other Sources Consulted during revision:

Messages as quoted, and referenced to in the article itself.

Dictionary of the Jewish Religion by Dr. Ben Isaacson (c) 1979 by Bantam Books, Inc.

Christmas Around the World from World Book Series: Christmas in the Holy Land (c) 1987, Christmas in Brazil (c) 1991, Christmas in Russia (c) 1992

* The last emperor of Ethiopia was overthrown about 45 years ago, so the custom of waiting for gifts from him is no longer valid.

The post Holiday Traditions Around the Globe appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Curated by Ed Boitano

Letters to Santa Reveal the Toll the Pandemic is Taking on Kids

Courtesy Faith Karimi, CNN

Jonah wants nothing from Santa this year except for a cure for coronavirus.

Anthony told Santa he wants a magical button he could press to transport him away from the weary reality of the pandemic.

Jasmyne’s Christmas list is short and to the point. “This year, I would like end of Covid-19, world peace, climate control, new Xbox,” it reads.

In their letters to Santa Claus, kids across the US are still asking for toys, clothes, Legos and video games. But in a year filled with illness and uncertainty, a review of letters addressed to the North Pole and collected through the Post Office’s Operation Santa program reveals the pandemic is weighing heavily on children.

Some are imploring Santa to make coronavirus go away. Others are asking for masks for Christmas. Still others write about the challenges of going to school online or how their parents can’t afford to buy presents this year because they lost their jobs.

“Dear Santa,” Jonah wrote. “I don’t want anything for Christmas, but I would like to ask you if you can do me a favor: Can you please find a cure for Covid-19 and give it to us to save the world. Thank you.”

Eight Elaborate Christmas Displays Across America — And the People Behind Them

In her new book, photographer Danelle Manthey captures a distinct type of American folk art: Christmas light decoration.

Happy Holidays and a Good and Healthy New Year to Us All

By Susanne Servin of Herzerl Tours

ADVENT – is the quietest time of the year (line of an Austrian poem).

Advent time (which is usually the four weeks in December and translates to expectant waiting) in a non- religious way is very meaningful for all us right now – as we are expectantly waiting for a relief of this awful pandemic that ravages our country and the world – for a vaccine to come.

But there is HOPE!!!

And to cheer us all up or to take our mind of things – lets bake!

My most favorite Christmas cookie recipe is Vanille Kipferl (vanilla crescents) – it’s a family recipe going back to my great grandmother, Emilie Zimmermann.

I have featured it on my website but let me send it to you again.

Best Cities for New Year’s

Courtesy Diana Polk, WalletHub Communications Manager

With New Year’s around the corner but the scale of celebrations limited by the COVID-19 pandemic, the personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on 2020’s Best Cities for New Year’s.

Dublin & Galway Selected Friendliest Cities in Europe

It’s travel award season on the island of Ireland! In recent weeks, the island has been awarded a number of exciting accolades. Both Dublin and Galway have topped the Condé Nast friendliest cities in Europe list, while EPIC The Irish Immigration Museum has been awarded Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction by the World Travel Awards for the second year running.

Meanwhile, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel experts were wowed by the Burren Ecotourism Network’s community effort, naming them one of ten winners in the new ‘Community’ category of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2021. Ireland’s Burren Ecotourism Network has been named one of ten winners in the new ‘Community’ category of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2021.

8 Immune-Boosting Smoothies We Want to Sip All Day Long

Courtesy Mary Nunes

Whether it’s flu season, allergy season, or you’re just in the mood for a refreshing, flavorful drink, an immune-boosting smoothie is always a good idea. By snacking on something as easy and convenient as a smoothie, you can jam-pack your body with antioxidants, vitamins, and more superfoods that kick-start your immune system into gear. Smoothies are (rightfully) all the rage these days, as they are easy to make, totally filling, and can give your body a plethora of health benefits.

You Might be an American Traveling Abroad if…

Inspired by Jeff Foxworthy with assistance from the Alot Travel Team

If you wear a Baseball Cap while traveling abroad you might be an American tourist.

Baseball is the American pastime, right? At least, it was at one point, and it’s still thought of that way, even though we watch more pro football than baseball at this point.

Still, we love the caps, and we carry them around with us everywhere — including overseas, where they immediately mark us as Americans.

5 Things Science Says Will Make You Happier

Research-backed habits that will improve your outlook and positive attitude

By Nataly Kogan
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD

It’s easy to assume that things like money and a luxurious lifestyle lead to happiness, but research shows that it’s the more simple experiences — like practicing gratitude or spending time with friends — that promote a sunny outlook.

Whether you need to shift from negative thoughts or want to continue a streak of positivity, here are five ways to boost happiness every day.

The Pentagon is Missing the Big Picture on “Stars and Stripes”

By Mark T. Hauser

The Pentagon’s plan to scrap funding for the Stars and Stripes newspaper isn’t just an attack on a historic military institution. It’s ignoring the lessons the paper’s history offers for efficient operation and integrating military operations with the economic life of the nation.

 

Ireland’s Voices Stream Christmas Hope to the World

The home of Guinness in Dublin will be the location for a unique Christmas concert that will connect the heart of Ireland with the world.

One of Ireland’s most respected musical events, Other Voices, is staging a special Christmas show in the Guinness Storehouse, which will be live streamed around the world on 16 December.

Featuring a wide range of Irish talent, ‘Other Voices: Home at the Guinness Storehouse’ will see this iconic building in the heart of Dublin come alive with an eclectic programme of Irish music, stories and songs.

MORE

How an Ancient Revolt Sparked the Festival of Lights

By Amy Briggs

It’s time to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights that lasts for eight days and nights. This year Hanukkah starts on Thursday, December 10, and ends Friday, December 18. The holiday’s popularity has surged in modern times, but its origins date back to the turbulent centuries following the death of Alexander the Great, the ancient Macedonian leader who conquered the Persian Empire.

READ ON

The Grinch That Keeps on Grinching

A new television special hearkens back to the nearly 50 years of Christmas thievery from the Dr. Seuss classic

Courtesy Patrick Sauer, SMITHSONIANMAG.COM

The first time readers young and old laid their eyes on the Grinch, he wasn’t green. He wasn’t on television, on stage, or even in a book. He didn’t even debut amidst the Jing-Tinglers of the season, but rather during the dog days of summer. In 1955, a 33-line illustrated poem “The Hoobub and the Grinch” ran in Redbook magazine. In it, Dr. Seuss introduces the Grinch as a con artist selling a piece of string for 98 cents to a yellow-furred galoot out catching some rays. It’s “worth a lot more than that old-fashioned sun,” says the Grinch. (A scam to be sure, but the Grinch is right about the broiling damage that can be done without proper UV skin care.)

MORE

No Two Alike: The First Photos of Snowflakes

Courtesy of Brian Clark Howard, National Geographic

Published in 1923, these vintage images highlight the beauty and mystery of snow crystals.

In the late 1800s, a self-educated Vermont farmer by the name of Wilson Bentley made the first successful image, or “photomicrograph,” of a single snowflake. He used a bellows camera attached to a microscope.

Here are some of the very first photos of snowflakes.

SEE THE PHOTOS

WNPA Recently Announced the Recipients of its Annual Awards

Western National Parks Association (WNPA), a nonprofit education partner of the National Park Service (NPS) since 1938, recently announced the recipients of its annual awards. For over 30 years, WNPA has recognized individuals and organizations who make exceptional contributions to national parks and increase awareness of WNPA’s mission.

MORE

What Americans Abroad Should Not Expect

Pancakes

The fluffy flour-based pancakes that American’s have come to love at breakfast time (or for brinner) just aren’t found abroad. French crêpes are too thin. The Japanese version (okonomiyaki) is too thick and most often topped with savory things like meat, seafood, and cabbage. Australian-style pancakes are too eggy and have sugar in the dough.

MORE

The Radical History of Corporate Sensitivity Training

By Beth Blum

During these turbulent months, American corporations have responded to demands for racial justice by straining to showcase their sensitive sides. They’ve pledged, like Quaker Oats, to change offensive product names; they’ve scrambled, like Prada, nascar, and Delta, to implement emergency sensitivity workshops; and they’ve opted, like most of the major publishing houses, to hire sensitivity readers to vet new manuscripts for racist representations. Not so at the Donald Trump White House.

MORE

The Future of History in the Pandemic Age

By Michael Creswell

Historians need to consider and prepare for changes to the profession that will follow the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attempting to predict the future is always perilous, and events frequently humble those who dare to try. Making predictions is especially hazardous for historians, who often struggle to explain the past. Peering into the future is not part of their professional training, and their efforts to do so are likely to fail.

MORE

“Heroes of Our America”: Reading a “Patriotic” History of the United States

By Alan J. Singer

Not long ago, history textbooks were written as patriotic fables. Examining one offers a warning about the cost of putting mythmaking ahead of historical learning

Heroes of Our America (1952) was a history book for fourth graders published by the Iroquois Publishing Company of Syracuse, New York. Its co-authors were Gertrude and John Van Duyn Southworth. John Southworth, with Harvard and Columbia University degrees, taught at a number of schools in the New York metropolitan area and was president of the publishing company. Gertrude Southworth, his frequent co-author, was also his mother.

I picked it off my office shelf after Donald Trump called for teaching “patriotic history” in American schools as a defense against a mythical radical “left” conspiracy and to ensure that  “our youth will be taught to love America.” Heroes of Our America is an example of the kind of “patriotic history” Donald and I were both exposed to as children in the 1950s. I grabbed the book when it was discarded from the Hofstra University Curriculum Materials Center only a couple of years ago.

MORE

The post Kids’ Letters to Santa, Jewish Festival of Lights appeared first on Traveling Archive.

If your smart phone is set to post US holidays, look at June 15, 2018. Recognize that holiday? The reason it sounds foreign is because it’s an official US  holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan. Further research shows this  started being celebrated in the White House in 1996 by then First Lady, Hillary Clinton. But Donald Trump refused to celebrate it last year.

Whatever your politics, it does make you wonder who decides these things. In all fairness, I wondered why there are several Christian or Military US Holidays but we don’t celebrate Chinese New Year, or Native American Day. We celebrate Black History month but why don’t we celebrate White or Brown History month? What’s even stranger is you hear these weird announcements about “Secretary Appreciation Day” or “Be nice to your Dog Day.” Who decides what to celebrate on those days?

According to NPR and some other news organizations, anyone can initiate declaring a specific Day as a holiday. The trick is making it stick — if enough people agree (by sheer numbers) popularity can make it official. And, like Trump, if you’re in power, you can “UNofficialI-ZE” an established holiday,

This explains how Google declares a day honoring some obscure individual — they’re the ones promoting those days. I’m sure there will be a Steve Jobs holiday or a Michael Jackson Day or a Billy Graham day — surely these guys deserve some honor, right?

Something to consider: If everyone is made special, then no one really is. We have to remember there will always be people and events worthy of recognition. Only time will determine whether that day will still be relevant years later.

Just hours before Jesus was to be crucified, apostles James and John obstinately demanded their seat of honor in heaven. And Jesus put them at their place — “Whoever seeks to be first, will become last. And whoever is last will become first.”

How do you fare in our world? Are you in front or at the back? Is that really what’s important?

Just between us, I would like to declare that every Friday is TGIF Day! The day in the week when we honor all of you hard working individuals because you have reached the final day of the work week and survived! It is the day when we look forward to a weekend with friends and families. So here’s to YOU dear readers! Today is YOUR holiday!

TGIF people!

Bible Problem

Shared by Peter Paul of South Pasadena

Johnny Cash Impersonator
Sent by Mel of Washington, D.C.

Brendan Grace sings his version of “Ring of Fire.” Maybe a little risque for some of you.

WATCH VIDEO

Crazy Traffic
Sent by Tom of Pasadena

If you think traffic is crazy, look at how they do they do it in Meskel Square, Ethiopia. I think the key is eye contact: If they see you, they have their foot ready on the brake pedal.

WATCH VIDEO

New York City 1911
Sent by Mike of New York

Here’s another traffic video. This time it’s a century old. It’s hard to imagine that society has changed so much. The video is clear and sound was added to it. It’s just 7 minutes long.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shots

Thanks to Debbie of Moreno Valley who shared this photo

The post Can’t Believe the Bible appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from my home in Peru!

For many volunteers, the holidays can be the most difficult time of the year. We miss comfy sofas, lazy mornings with coffee and a book, and most of all — family and friends. Personally, despite studying in a different state and two different countries, I’ve been privileged to never miss a Christmas at home with my family. Until this year, I was not aware of the comfort and joy that familiar friends, family, and traditions can bring during the holiday season.

Although muy tarde, I want to share a few Peruvian customs and traditions and my Christmas experience with my host family. My perspective is admittedly narrow, but I hope you learn something new about Peru. [Imagine visiting the U.S. from a foreign country, spending Christmas with one family in one town, and reporting on what you learned. Undoubtedly, many customs and nuances would go unnoticed or overlooked.]

My host grandpa has informed me that Christmas hasn’t always been the same here. When he was a kid, the holiday was hardly celebrated, at least not in the fashion it is now. Surely due to influence from the U.S., commercialization, and advertising, new traditions began to arise. Some of these more recent traditions probably include Christmas trees, Papá Noel, and gift exchanges.

In Peru, two words define the holiday season — panetón y chocolate. Panetón, or fruit cake, is given as gifts, distributed at parties, eaten for breakfast (and/or dinner), and altogether loved to the max, especially alongside a cup of chocolate (hot chocolate). I don’t think I had ever tried fruit cake before coming to Peru, yet I came to enjoy the citrusy bread and its interesting gummy fruits. While the debate rages on among volunteers over whether panetón is the best part of the day or belongs in the garbage, we all agree it cannot be avoided.

Aside from food, one of the older and most important traditions here in Peru is the nativity scene. In every home, business, and organization you will find a nativity set. Many are placed on a platform of real grass, fill up a whole corner of a room, and include upwards of 50 tiny statues of animals or people. Looking closely, you might be surprised to see that the manger is oddly empty. Then you remember — of course — Jesus isn’t born until Christmas! Like a gift in your stocking, you won’t find baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas morning.

Overall, the heart of the celebration is Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena. Most Peruvians stay up until midnight, place baby Jesus in the nativity scene, and enjoy a special dinner as Christmas morning arrives. Then, in classic Peruvian style, the party might continue until the sun comes up.

Despite the advertising and chatter surrounding the season, Christmas doesn’t dominate other holidays as it seems to in the U.S. While Christmas Eve and Christmas Day come and go rather quietly, many local festivals and national holidays last for weeks or even months.

My family’s Christmas was similarly tranquilo. As the day approached, I was filled with certain expectations of traditions and meaningful memories — Christmas like I’ve experienced it in the past. I quickly realized I had to let go of these expectations. With new traditions and without my U.S. family it simply would not be the same — something I had to be okay with.

My family and I spent the holidays in our own relaxed way. We cut off the top of a small pine tree as our arbolito de Navidad and decorated it with ornaments. The fresh evergreen smell gave our kitchen a real Christmas feel. My host sister and I also decorated the ceiling with streamers. We listened to Christmas carols put to both classic tunes and traditional Peruvian music and practiced dances to accompany them.

On Noche Buena, we prepared a tasty pork dinner, and my host dad’s prayer for all our absent family members brought tears to our eyes. Accustomed to going to bed and waking up early, we decided not to stay up until midnight. We shot off our fireworks early and headed to bed.

In this moment, I missed home the most, especially the sharing of gifts around the Christmas tree and our traditional candlelit dinner. Rather than feel sorry for myself, I decided to remind myself the reasons why I’m here — reasons beyond myself.

In the morning we were back to our regular Sunday routine, household chores and soccer in the grass stadium. And just like that, Christmas had past. Or so I thought.

Two weeks later, we had Christmas again. Due to the postal service, a package from my parents in the U.S. had just arrived.

What followed might be my favorite memory so far with my host family.

My siblings and I dressed up, prepared snacks and drinks from the U.S., and made a surprise entrance in front of my parents and grandparents. They loved the gold fish, sunflower seeds, apple cider, and roasted peanuts. As I’ve mentioned before, food holds great significance in Peru, and I was grateful for the reversal of roles and the opportunity to serve them for once.

After they opened the gifts (headlamps and electric candles), the custom of palabras (literally “words”) began. Many parts of Peruvian culture are very formalized, especially documents and speeches. At almost any event, birthday party, or celebration, people have the opportunity (or are forced) to share their palabras. They take a specific form and always include at least a formal greeting, thank you, and closing.

While volunteers joke about hearing over and over again buenos dias followed by a long list of names and courtesies, I find the tradition meaningful, especially among loved ones. The custom formalizes something we regretfully neglect, verbally sharing our love and appreciation for those we care about.

And that’s what we did. With tearful eyes, one by one my host family welcomed me again as part of the family with an appreciation I didn’t deserve. They also thanked my family in the U.S. for the gifts and wished them health and success in the future. In turn, I had the opportunity to express my deep gratitude for their hospitality and care — for 3 meals a day, endless patience with my Spanish, and a willingness to share with me their culture and way of life.

I came to realize that perhaps I already had what I was missing most — what we all hope for from Christmas — to feel like we belong and are loved. Despite different traditions, I found both among my family in Peru.

****Disclaimer: “The content of this website is mine alone and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Peruvian Government.”

The post Christmas in Peru: A U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Huaricolca appeared first on Traveling Archive.