CELTIC YULE

The Celts used to bring a large log indoors as a tribute to the sun god this was called the Yule log.

Celts in Cornwall, during the Christmas reveling would chalk a symbol of a man on the Yule log in a cheery reference to the human sacrifices who used to be thrown on the bonfire.

JAPANESE MANDARINS

 

In Canada Japanese oranges have a special meaning to the people who live on the Canadian Prairies.

The arrival of a gift from the East, at the coldest time of the year has brightened many homes and Christmas feasts for over a hundred years.

It is believed by many that the festive season only really begins when Santa Claus welcomes the first shipment of Japanese mandarin oranges at the Port of Vancouver.

The shipment of fruit is accompanied by young Japanese girls dressed in tradition kimonos.

On Christmas morning the wonderful fruit is found in many a child's Christmas stocking.

TO MAINTAIN A HIGH FIBRE DIET

To maintain a high fibre diet

During the Christmas festivities

We are urged not to eat deserts

And instead eat the Christmas trees

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – HERCULES SAVES CHRISTMAS (2012)

 

Santa’s talking dog, Hercules, in “Hercules Saves Christmas” takes us on a magical, fun-filled, and touching mission, to prevent Max Moogle (Anthony Robinson), an adorable yet mischievous twelve-year-old boy, from making the naughty list, which he is in danger of doing.

And Hercules takes him to the North Pole to meet Santa and argue his way onto the “nice list” in the Elf court and Hercules successfully acts as Max's attorney.

However, Santa (George Maguire) tells Max that in order to make the nice list he must help a man called, Rick Wilder, (Danny Arroyo), a bitter man, find the spirit of Christmas and along the way prevent Rondo (Richard Van Vleet) the leader of the terrible toy-stealing Dogs of the North, from destroying Christmas.

SANTA SCOOP

In 1925, a story was leaked to the international press claiming that due to a lack of grazing for the reindeer Santa Claus had to relocate from the North Pole.

The newspapers revelations when on to claim that Santa Claus had, in fact, moved his entire operation to Finnish Lapland.

There was a great deal of speculation about the validity of the claims until in 1927 “Uncle Markus” or Markus Rautio, who compared the popular “Children's hour” on Finnish public radio, revealed more information about the great secret for the first time.

He not only confirmed the newspaper reports of two years earlier that Santa Claus had moved to Lapland but even went on to name the place Korvatunturi translated as “Ear Fell” which is situated on Finland's eastern frontier. 

AUSTRIA

 

In Austria St. Nicholas, is honoured throughout the land and It is said that as a reward for his generosity God allowed him to return to earth each year to bring gifts to all the good children of the world.

MOLFETTA

 

On St. Nicholas Eve, the children in the Italian city of Molfetta, on the Adriatic coast, put a plate on the table with a letter asking for gifts and promising to be good in the coming year.