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Community Corner

Christmas Traditions Around the World

See how holiday traditions differ from country to country.

For nearly 70 years, the Museum of Science and Industry has amazed visitors with its Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light displays.

A massive 45-foot tree decked out with with more than 30,000 lights and 1,000 ornaments graces the museum's rotunda, while 50 smaller trees representing countries from Armenia to Wales surround it.

The trees are decorated by volunteers from Chicago's various ethnic organizations and communities and feature decorations reflecting their diverse cultures and traditions.

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Armenia

Children hang their handkerchiefs from the edge of the roof, then climb on to the the roof and sing. Adults will then climb to the handkerchiefs and fill them with money, fried wheat and raisins. On Christmas Eve, they eat fried fish, lettuce and spinach, believed to be the same meal the Blessed Mother ate on the eve of Jesus' birth.

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Belize

On Christmas Eve, "Boom & Chime" bands travel from door to door playing calypso music and serenading their neighbors. On Christmas Day, "Jankanoo Dancers," dressed in masks and shell-covered clothing, stop at houses to dance.

Luxembourg

On St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 6, naughty children dread an ominous knock on the door. That means "Black Peter" has come to pay a visit. He straps them to his belt and carries them off for all the villagers to humiliate!

Slovenia

Families walk to Christmas Eve mass together, carrying torches to light the way.

Switzerland

On Christmas Eve, grandmothers predict the weather for the impending new year by filling 12 different onion layers with salt. If the salt is dry on Christmas morning, the weather will be mild. If the salt is wet, expect a rainy season.

Serbia

On Christmas morning the first male guest to enter the home is sprinkled with wheat, kissed on each cheek and served hot plum brandy. He then throws a handful of coins to the children to collect.

Bielarus

To commemorate the 12 Apostles, 12 dishes are prepared for the Christmas Eve feast. The people do not eat dinner until the first star appears in the night sky. The meal always starts with kuccia, a barley dish, to thank the Lord for the year's crops.

Sweden

Tomte, a little gnome that lives under the families' floorboards throughout the year and protects them, appears delivering a sack full of gifts.

Republic of Slovakia

 The Christmas season is a time for forgiveness. They believe that Christmas cannot be enjoyed until all conflicts, no matter how big or small, are resolved. After peace is made, the floor under the dinner table must be painted with sparkling whitewash.

Hungary

After Christmas Eve dinner, the floor is swept by an unmarried girl. She then picks up the crumbs and throws them through the threshold in hopes of getting a vision of her future husband.

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