Реферат: Christmas Essay Research Paper

Black Peter, an elf whose job was to whip the bad children. His most known legend

is when he would walk through the streets in his bishop clothes, carrying a sack full

of presents, and leaving a gift on the windowsills of children’s houses.

From the different parts of the world, there are different names, but the spirit of

Christmas remains the same. Spanish children call their Santa Balthasar, children in

Italy have a female Santa named La Belfana, Denmark has a gnome named Jule-

Nissen, Holland has Sinter Klaas, Germany has Sanct Herr, and there are even some

places that believe the Christ child brings their presents. (Encarta 2000)

The Christmas Feast

On Christmas day, the year’s greatest feast was served, people went, and still do, all

out. Although now we have different foods, the idea is still the same. The feast was

started off with drinks and music, followed by a procession of the food. Once

everyone was seated, the food was served and eaten, after dessert, people drank and

danced. The banquet lasted hours and was the highlight of the day. Some of the

food served was: beef, meat pies, roasted duck, geese, pigs, plumb porridge, fancy

cakes, bowls of wassail, and toast. Christmas was a huge celebration filled with lots

of eating, drinking, singing, dancing, and gift giving.

Christmas Decorations

Centuries ago, Romans decorated their homes, public buildings, and temples on

festive occasions, and we have followed this ancient custom. During Christmas

time, store windows, malls, streetlights, and parking lot poles are decorated to

celebrate this joyous time filled with shopping, gift giving, and happiness. Some

popular and well-known Christmas decorations are: New York’s Rockefeller Plaza’s

Christmas tree, when set up, the first lighting of the tree signifies the official opening

of the Christmas season. Another popular attraction is Christmas Tree Lane, in

Fresno, California. People there string lights around the great cedars lining Van

Ness Avenue. Homeowners there also set up holiday displays on their lawns and

houses. (Encarta 2000)

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