The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-24
CLING TO CHRISTMAS
CUSTOMS Of OLD WORLD
SEVERALM INNEAPOILTANS STILL
HAVE NOVEL CELEBRATIONS.
Sheaf of Wheat for the Birds Hoisted
Each Year by One Man-Bohen1ian
Have Elaborate ceremony-charita-
bly, Inclined Plan Fine Surprises for
the Needy
the Needy

While the majority Of the people in
Minneapolis are celebrating Christmas
in the conventional American way,
many residents of foreign birth still
cling to their oldworld customs.
On the old Interurban line, just the
other side Of Merriam Park, lives a
Scandinavian market gardener. Every
Christmas day he follows the old-coun-
try custom of raising a sheaf of grain
above his rooftree that the little birds
may not suffer from hunger thru the
long winter months. This sheaf, which
is raised on long pole high in the air,
can be easily seen from the car win.
dows and has attracted much attention
and called forth many questions in
years past.
Among the Bohemian residents of
the flats the custom Of arranging with
toys and tinsel mimic stage which
shows the interior of the stable with
the Christ Child in the manger, sur.
rounded by the shepherds and Magi
still fingers.
The German Christmas is familiar tC
everyone; in fact, the ordinary Christ
mas celebration is the German Christ
mas with but few notifications. The
| Greeks and Russians will not celebrate
until Jan. 5, the Christmas date Of the
old calendar.
Many Novel Gifts.
These outland customs and observ
| ances are hard to find, as the average
| foreigner is anxious to be like his
| American neighbors and quickly falls
i, in with their way of observing Christ
mas just as he follows their manners o:
dress and habits. Were it not for tn
constant arrival Of fresh immigrants al
foreign customs would soon die out.
In the line Of the charitable Christ
mas the big dinners, Christmas tree
and entertainments given by the nu
merous charitable organizations tax
the place of private charity. In spit
Of all the demands made and opportuni
ties offered by the organizations Their
still remain many people who prefer t
dispense their bounty first-hand. TIL
greater part of this sort of charity viii
never be known, as the donors as a rul
try to keep their work unknown so ia
as is possible. The man who has give
100 dolls to the Associated Charitie
for distribution among poor childre
and the man who will distribute 10
jackknives are specimens of this class
Distributes Dinners.
One prominent business man, VIII
carefully hides his identity, has 70
lowed a unique plan for several year
and will do so again next Monday. H
secures list of from twenty to thirt
names from the Associated Charlie
prepares baskets filed with food, clotl
ing and other good things, loads the
into bobsled and makes the deliver
, in person.
, One wealthy woman has secured
list of old men and intends to civ
pipes and tobacco to all who smok
She says the question of whether smol
ing is, or is not, a good practice do
: : not influence her. If the men enje
l smoking she is going to see that the
smoke, and smoke something bett'
:; than they could afford to buy for the1
l selves.
e Another woman will distribu
s prayerbooks in poor families whe
g they will be appreciated, and ST.
e another will give Bibles.