Christmas Crafts & Decorations From Around the World
When it comes to Christmas crafts and decorations, many countries share the same centuries-old traditions. Each culture puts its spin on these customs, so that something as universal as a Christmas tree might have a different appearance on another continent. Household decorations also vary depending on the fruits and flowers of the season -- and on the season itself, for in Southern Hemisphere countries, Christmas comes in the summertime. Does this Spark an idea?
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Christmas Trees
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In England, revellers pull paper Christmas "crackers" filled with hats and toys. While countries in North America and Europe typically use fir trees, warm weather countries and island nations often turn palm trees into Christmas trees, decorating them with lights and island flora and fauna. According to the holiday information website Pick Your Own Christmas Tree, Australians have a tradition of decorating native bushes with red flowered leaves, while people in the southernmost part of Africa decorate palm trees. According to the website Happywink, which researches world celebrations, Christmas trees in India are often decorated mango or banana trees.
Handcrafted Tree Decorations
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In the tropics, residents often decorate palm trees for the holidays. Families around the world cherish their handcrafted Christmas decorations, whether homemade and passed down from generation to generation, or purchased from a skilled artisan’s workshop. In some countries, these decorations form the entire theme of the Christmas tree. In Scandinavia, trees are laden with fanciful handcrafted straw figures, hung next to tiny red candles in brass holders. According to Happywink, Christmas trees in China and Japan are adorned with handmade paper chains, flowers and lanterns. In Japan, handcrafted origami swans float from the branches of traditional Japanese holiday trees.
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English Crackers
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Many families around the world make their own Christmas cards. While many traditions, such as homemade Christmas cards, are shared throughout the world, some countries have unique traditions that have been celebrated for centuries. In England, families and friends pull Christmas crackers at the table during Christmas dinner; these are paper cylinders, filled with tissue paper hats, fortunes and small trinkets. When pulled, crackers give off a loud snapping noise, caused by a bit of silver fulminate brushed on two strips of cardboard, which are pulled apart in the process. Many families make their own Christmas crackers as an annual holiday crafting tradition.
Folk Art Traditions
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Although many decorating traditions are shared universally, some are distinctive to certain countries. In Germany, homes are full of little handmade "prune people," tiny figures of men, women and children, made of prunes strung together and topped off with walnut heads. In France, families cherish their handcrafted "santos" figures; these are little clay figures made to represent Catholic saints. In Mexico, local artisans create highly decorative papier-mâché pinatas made specially for the Christmas season. These works of folk art are ultimately smashed by eager children who want to get at the toys and candy hidden inside.
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References
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