The Manila Times

A global Christmas is all around you

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CHRISTMAS is celebrated around the globe in many wonderful ways, and you can see elements of these from the endless array of Christmas decors now up and twinkling from your home and beyond. Find out where thse holiday symols come from to appreciate how one the world becomes at this most special day of the year.

An American classic. The United States has many different traditions and ways that people celebrate Christmas because of its multicultu­ral nature. A typical celebratio­n of Christmas Day in America

mixes Irish, Austrian, Italian, Polish, and Belgian traditions into something that is its own. What we can call an all-American classic captures the homey warmth of the holidays – with rich reds and wintry whites that never go out of style. A touch of silver adds sophistica­tion, while green suggests fresh pine. Joyeux Noel. In France, Christmas is called Noel, which comes from the phrase les bonnes nouvelles, or “the good news.” Yule logs made out of cherry wood are often burned in French homes, and is sprinkled with red wine to give it an exquisite aroma when it is burning. This comes from an ancient tradition in which farmers would use part of the log to ensure good luck for next year’s harvest.

Bring a Parisian glow and the warmth of Christmas to your home with a shimmering palette of gold and silver — with a touch of antique brass and champagne.

Northern Lights Christmas. One of the highlights of a visit to Lapland is an early evening adventure in search for the Northern Lights. Sometimes they develop a riot of colors, green interspers­ed with waves of red, blue, and violet dancing across the sky. One has to see to believe the magic of this natural phenomenon with colors dancing in the skies.

Just as the Northern Lights dazzle the holiday skies, light up your Christmas tree with an aurora

borealis-like glow and add a wave of aqua for that wintry feel.

Tropical holiday. Not all Christmase­s are white, and if you live in the tropics, all is merry, sunny, and bright.

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 ??  ?? But of course, Santa's workshop — in the North Pole. Inspired by Iceland's aurora borealis.
But of course, Santa's workshop — in the North Pole. Inspired by Iceland's aurora borealis.
 ??  ?? A sophistica­tion in a Parisian Christmas .
A sophistica­tion in a Parisian Christmas .
 ??  ?? Christmas in the tropics.
Christmas in the tropics.
 ?? PHOTOS COURTESY OF SM HOME ??
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SM HOME

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