The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1903-12-25
IN ENGLAND.

England is the home of Christmas cele-
bratlon. The celebration is more elabor-
ate there than In any other quarter of
the globe The celebration lasts tor r
days, ending in blaze OF glory ON the
twelfth night. OF course the celebration
does not last during all these days, al
though few centuries ago it did, but
elaborate ceremonies are carried out
throughout the time.
Before retiring for the night on Christ
mas eve the stockings of the children are
hung by the fireplace in expectation of
the visit OF st. Nicholas. Early in the
morning the little ones are awakened by
the waits who sing under the windows of
the rich. After the gifts are found and
breakfast is over, comes church and a
round of friendly visits. In the evening
comes the browning feature of the day,
the dinner. The boar's head, the good old
English roast beef and last of all the plum
pudding, combine to form a feast which
must be eaten TO be appreciated. In the
evening comes the lighting of the yule
log and all sorts OF Christmas games, end
ing with the dancing of the Sir Roger
de Coverly," in which all, from the Oldest
to the youngest, join.
IN SCOTLAND.
In Scotland little attention is paid to
Christmas as a festival except in the large
cities, where celebrations much the same
as those in England are held.
IN IRELAND.
Ireland celebrates Christmas in an elab-
crate manner. There is feasting and gave
ty and masqueraders; both men and wo-
men fill the streets of the cities and
towns. Religious services are held Christ
mas eve and all Christmas morning. The
afternoon and evening are given over to
| fun.
IN GERMANY.
Next to England, Germany celebrates
| Christmas more deliberately than any
other country "Weihnachten" it is called
| in Germany, and it is the one great day
| of the year Two weeks before Christ
mas the "Christmarkt' is established in
every city and village. This is a Christ
mas market where in small booths toys
and Christmas goodies are laid out for
sale. The booths are trimmed with ever
green's and lighted with candles and make
very curious and interesting sight. Long
before Christmas the German housewife
begins her Christmas preparations. The
| lJtle round ginger NUS are DdhSd din
gilded and the honey cakes are made.
These cakes are in the shape of chickens
sheep, horses, stars and beasts. They
are cooked in fancy pans that have been
passed down in the family for genera
| tons.
At sunset on the day before Christmas
the church bells ring and everyone goes to
church. Even in the country the peas
ants walk miles to attend this Christmas
service. Meanwhile the Christmas tree,
which, by the way, originated in Ger
many, has been trimmed and lighted, and
on the. return from church the children
are admitted to the room where it stands,
brave in its decorations and its lights.
The presents are arranged about the room
and at the foot of the tree is miniature
representation of the manager at Bethle-
hem with the Christ child, the holy
mother, the shepherds and the wise men.
In the celebration which follows the light
ing of the tree the servants and all mem
| beers of the household are included.
| In southern Germany a quaint and pa
,thetic custom prevails. On the night be-
fore Christmas the graves of the little
ones who have gone are decorated with
wreaths of holly and green's and tiny
Christmas trees lighted with candles are
placed ON the graves. Other little chill
dren sing carols and the whole scene is a
| beautiful one.