Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-12-13
Christmas as 1t
Is Observed in
Other Lands
Home Making Helps
By Wanda Barton

MH ANY OF us who do the most
IAE OF our travelling through the
AVE- nares OF the Atlas. or In
rI;ae books, 90 not know as much
about the customs OF other countries
a we would like. The holiday Gus
toms or other lands. particularly.
are OF great interest
Tha Hungarian Christmas. Karac-
sony, begins on December @1lh anu
Iasta two DAYS. "MikulaS'. with
white beard. and red coat. distributes
the Gifts around the lighted tree ana
presides at the hearty supper that
follows the tree ceremonies "A Tea
ture ~ the upper Is the cake made
OF honey. nuts. and poppy seeds. the
evening 4 devoted 20 games and al
midnight the gates or the church are
thrown open and people gather Q
the midnight mass.
The Norwegian and Swedish Jul
II celebrated with "a trimmed tree
lights. and a Christmas ne supper
with "lutefisk'. a specially prepared
fish dish. Dreaded ~spareribS. pepper
mints. and favorite cakes a rice
pudaing "A baked with raisins and "A
large plum in the center and the n
Who gets the plum IS the lucky one
Before serving the pudding each n
must contribute "A rhyme of their
own composing. Games and dancing
fu the evening and at midnight the
presents are distributed and all
circle the tree and sing special
hymns.
Lithuanians gather for the Christ
mas Eve supper, kucia, poppy seed
bread, fish cakes and "Kisieliu5". "a
sweet Favored blanc mango. eaten
with sugar and cream. Thin. bright
colored waters are passed to each
n present as greetings are given.
the waters come from the church
rectory and are called "PlotkeleS"
AT midnight all attend the mass.
Tho Poles celebrate in much the
| game way, with the added custom
Of carol singing in the streets.
In Italy "A Novena Is begun nine
DAYS before Christmas and little
| models or the Nativity are set up ~
| each village home. Bands or musi.
| clans 60 from house 10 house and
play special music. In some sec
tons a yule log IS burning and the
| children, blindfolded. tap the log with
a stick and demand their presents,
and when the fold is removed there
on the hearth the gifts lay. quite q
BIT or quick work Is necessary on the
part OF Santa
The CZechs have many interesting
customs. among which ~ remember
ing each animal on the farm with a
delicacy suitable 20 their feeding. the
| cows getting a taste OF everything
on the holiday menu. "NanOcka"
II a special bread with raisins and
almonds in - The Serbs strew their
houses with straw like a manger,
they grow wheat In a dish for table
decoration and have a special ring
| cake, in the center OF which they
place three lighted candles. They
also attend midnight mass.
Germans make "A special point or
their tree. Its shape. placing. trim
ming and lighting being OF the ut
most consideration Songs are sung
around the tree, and gifts ara piled
under its branches. Two days are
taken for fun and f~easting. The
children are the central figures Of
interest and everything IS done for
their amusement.
The Russian Christmas Is always
gay though IL ccnters around the
church. The celebration ~ carried
on at our Christmas time 10y modern
Russians though IN reality. accord
ing 10 their calendar, u - thirteen
DAYS later. Special cakes OK different
kinds take the place 81 our pudding
and pies. The Russians are excel
! lent cooks and Il is safe 70 say that
IN the simplest home the Christmas
dinner ~ wen worth enjoying
New Americans who. at home. did
not make special holiday plans. soon
change their ideas when they come
70 America and open their hearts
to the spirit of the season and try
10 make I'd for all they have missed
IN the past.