Red horse, burning stump and wooden christmas trees - tell about the most interesting traditions of the Christmas decor from different countries.
1 France and Wooden Christmas Trees
Christmas tree in France put in early December to enjoy the christmas atmosphere of a couple of weeks to Catholic Christmas. Clean her on January 6, on the feast of the Epiphany. The French on this day eat a festive cake with hidden inside the figure. There is a belief that she will bring good luck in the coming year who found it.
In recent years, an interesting trend associated with environmental care appeared in France. More and more people put in her houses in the Christmas trees made from their own hands or purchased in special stores. These Christmas trees have several wonderful features.
They look original and minimalist. The Christmas trees are easy to assemble and just keep. They will serve for many years. The tree is a safer material for a person than plastic, so such christmas trees are ecological. Plus, there are often people with disabilities on such industries, therefore, buying such a Christmas tree, many maintain not only the environment, but also these people.
Also important accessory in France are advent calendars and christmas stockings. In many apartments you can find the fireplace decorated with them.
2 Germany and inscriptions on doors
In Germany, in mid-November, all private houses are decorated inside and outside. Many neighbors in a friendly compete and try to surpass each other every year. Clean the decor on January 6 on the holiday "Three Kings." On the same day, the signs with the letters of CMB are hanging on the doors outside the outside of the outside) and the coming year number, as in the third picture in the gallery.
The Germans prefer artificial or grown in special nurseries. You can come to such a nursery and self to cut yourself a closing tree or buy already firing.
Another popular decor element, apart from the Christmas tree, is a gingerbread houses. They are buying already ready or baked independently and cover with icing. Then the houses are decorated with a table or fireplace and leave them there for several weeks.
3 Denmark and Dwarf
Christmas in Denmark is distinguished by its fabulousness. People here pay a great role to style and love a thoughtful interior, so the christmas decoration fit scrupulously. In many families, the Christmas stars are manually manufactured and hang them around the apartment. Use a very large number of natural jewelry, such as cones and branches. Danes also put in the house four Advent candles, symbolizing the occurrence of the holiday.
Another interesting feature is Pixy's gnomes. These are very recognizable Danish toys made of fabric. It is believed that they bring happiness and good luck to the house. Very often these dwarves are sewn manually and stored in the family generations.
4 Finland, burning stump and straw garland
In Finland, the house is decorated in about the same way as in the remaining Scandinavian countries: in bright colors, using candles and natural materials. A little more often make an emphasis on the decoration of the window using the figures placed on it, highlighted by candles.
There is also a special national tradition, which is literally translated as a "burning stump". People who live in private houses take stump, make a cruciform split in it and set fire to dry branches and straw. Living in apartments cannot burn such a large wooden candle, so they buy ceramic candlesticks similar toes.
Another interesting tradition of Finland - Himmeli. These are decorations and festive garlands, which are traditionally made from straw. They are hanging over the table, so that the next year was calm and yield.
5 Sweden, horse and gnome
In addition to traditional winter decorations, in Swedish houses and apartments you can find a wooden horse and bearded gnome. The horse is called "gave". Previously, she was made of wood and gave children. By tradition, it should be red, blue or white. But now you can find toys that are made of different materials and painted in any colors.
The bearded gnome also has a name - "Yultnomten". His figures appeared in Swedish homes even before the arrival of Christianity. According to the legend, the Gnome brings good luck and protects the house. To please him, for the threshold on Christmas night, you can put a bowl with rice porridge and almonds.
