Christmas is a special time

CHRISTMAS is a special day celebrated in many countries around the world. Children enjoy this holiday the most, so parents should always make sure the kids have an experience they will not easily forget.

For instance, where possible, children should get new clothes.

Also, they must be taken out, preferably to play centres or resort areas for some quality time. If this is not possible due to financial reasons, the family should still come together and celebrate.

Financial constraints should not kill the celebratory mood.

Celebrate with the little you have. For some people, the Christmas mood and celebrations can start from the beginning of December and last up to New Year’s Day.

Colourful decorations and lights at most places — homes, shops or any other public place — characterise this time of the year.

In many countries, people put up Christmas trees in their homes. These can be either real trees or artificial ones. They decorate them with lights, as well as tinsel and baubles. They often put a star on the top.

This then creates a perfect festive season mood.

It is generally believed Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, brings presents to many children during Christmas time.

They sometimes get presents in a stocking, which children leave out when they go to bed on the night before Christmas. Other children are said to get small presents in their shoes.

However, in some countries, the presents come from other people like close relatives and friends.

When it comes to food, there is no one size fits all. Different dishes are prepared around the world. Some people eat roast meat and potatoes, while others have fish.

There are others who have soup or vegetable dishes. The choice of food is mainly determined by a particular family’s status, religion/tradition and place of origin.

Puddings, desserts, biscuits and cakes will also be part of the menu during this holiday, which is considered a time for families to share delicious meals together.

For many Christians around the world, Christmas is the time to remember the birth of Jesus.

In a lot of Christmas films, books and songs, there is snow, ice and snowmen. For some countries in the northern hemisphere, Christmas means cold, winter weather.

But for a lot of countries in the southern hemisphere, Christmas is in summer and people spend the day in the sun, though it may rain.

So, Christmas can be very different in various parts of the world and each country has its own traditions.

But in most places where Christmas is celebrated, it is a very special time of the year.