Christmas Traditions Around the World
Christmas in United States of America
Santa Claus was born in US in the 1860's he was named this as he had a white beard and a belly, so he was named Santa Claus as this was the Dutch word for St Nicholas, Sintaklaas. Although the Dutch had bought him with them in the 17th century, he did not become an important person at Christmas until the Novelist Washington Irving put him in a novel that he wrote in 1809. This first Santa Claus was still known as St. Nicholas, he did smoke a pipe, and fly around in a wagon without any reindeer, but he did not have his red suit or live at the North Pole, he did however bring presents to children every year.
In 1863 He was given the name Santa Claus and bore the red suit, pipe, and his reindeer and sleigh.
Now Christmas celebrations vary greatly between regions of the United States, because of the variety of nationalities which have settled in it.
In Pennsylvania, the Moravians build a landscape, called a putz - under the Christmas tree, while in the same state the Germans are given gifts by Belsnickle, who taps them with his switch if they have misbehaved.
Early European settlers brought many traditions to the United States. Many settled in the early days in the South, these settlers would send Christmas greetings to their distant neighbors by shooting firearms and letting off fireworks. In Hawaii this practice is still in use as under the sunny skies, Santa Claus arrives by boat and Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors.
In Alaska, a star on a pole is taken from door to door, followed by Herod's Men, who try to capture the star. Colonial doorways are often decorated with pineapple, a symbol of hospitality.
In Alaska, boys and girls with lanterns on poles carry a large figure of a star from door to door. They sing carols and are invited in for supper.
In Washington D.C., a huge, spectacular tree is lit ceremoniously when the President presses a button and turns on the tree's lights.
In Boston, carol singing festivities are famous. The singers are accompanied by hand bells.
In New Orleans, a huge ox is paraded around the streets decorated with holly and with ribbons tied to its horns.
In Arizona, the Mexican ritual called Las Posadas is kept up. This is a ritual procession and play representing the search of Mary and Joseph for a room at the inn. Families play the parts and visit each other's houses enacting and re-enacting the drama and, at the same time, having a look at each family's crib.
In Hawaii, Christmas starts with the coming of the Christmas Tree Ship, which is a ship bringing a great load of Christmas fare. Santa Claus also arrives by boat.
In California, Santa Claus sweeps in on a surf board.
In America the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.
The majority of Americans celebrate Christmas with the exchange of gifts and greetings and with family visits. For many, the day begins on Christmas Eve with the Midnight Mass. At Christmas it snows in many states, so dinner is usually eaten indoors. Dinner usually is roast turkey, goose, duck or ham served with cranberry sauce, then plum pudding or pumpkin pie followed by nuts and fruit.
American homes are decorated with holly, mistletoe and branches of trees, most have a Christmas tree hung with electric lights, tinsel, baubles, and strings of popcorn and candy canes.
In Colorado, an enormous star is placed on the mountain, it can be seen for many kilometers around, while in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a star is lit in early December.
Polish Americans on Christmas Eve spread hay on their kitchen floor and under the tablecloth to remind them of a stable and a manger. When they make up the table for dinner two extra places are set up for Mary and the Christ Child in case they should knock at the door to ask for shelter.
In Philadelphia, a procession called a mummers parade runs for a whole day with bands, dancers and people in fancy dress.
There are two homes for Santa Claus in the United States one is in Torrington, Connecticut, where Santa and his helpers give out presents. The other home is in Wilmington, New York, where a village for Santa and his reindeer is located.
In Arizona they follow the Mexican traditions called Las Posadas. Families play out the parts of Mary and Joseph searching for somewhere to stay. They form a procession and visit their friends' and neighbors' homes where they admire each family's Nativity crib. In parts of New Mexico, people place lighted candles in paper bags filled with sand on streets and rooftops to light the way for the Christ Child.
Senin, 06 Desember 2010
Minggu, 05 Desember 2010
Minggu, 21 November 2010
david archuleta
MANILA, Philippines—It’s been two and a half years since cherubic 16-year-old David Archuleta won hearts and votes to place second in “American Idol,” possibly the biggest talent contest on television.
There’s been no rest for the adorable, as Archuleta has since released a pop album and a Christmas album, and toured the world. He even made a Manila pit stop in 2009 for a back-to-back concert with “Idol” 2008 first-placer David Cook, yielding the hilarious event poster that read, “Cook David Archuleta.”
He’s back on a promo tour for his third album “The Other Side of Down,” which promises a sound that’s “older, wiser, with faith still on his side, and an eternally optimistic, wide-eyed outlook.” A very young-looking 20, Archuleta is the very definition of wholesome. Asked at a press con on Wednesday about his favorite memory of the Philippines from the first time around, he claimed that mangoes, not girls, stole his heart. “I ate so many! The mangoes we get in the [United] States are really stringy. Here, they’re so fresh!”
It’s not that girls aren’t on his horizon, ladies. But David Archuleta is one of the few people in show business past puberty who can get away with blinking innocently when people ask about “a special someone.” It actually seems refreshing, and he can go on and on in admiration of his favorite female peers—like Charice Pempengco, with whom he has a duet on his holiday album, “Christmas from the Heart.”
“I keep in touch with her,” Archuleta says of Charice. “I’ll see her on Sunday; we’ll be performing in an event. When I heard she’d be there, I was like, great, that’ll be really fun.”
But is he following her into acting? “It’s not something I initially felt I’d be very good at. But when I took roles in “iCarly” and “Hannah Montana,” I had a really great time. I really enjoyed it. So... who knows?”
Fellow tween stars
Fellow tween starlets are also treated with much respect by the “Idol” star. “‘iCarly’s’ Miranda Cosgrove was really nice and sweet, and more quiet than I thought she’d be.” He glosses over the troubles of Disney starlet Demi Lovato, who recently went into rehab for emotional issues, and with whom Archuleta toured in 2009. “At 18, Demi is so talented. She acts, she sings, she plays instruments and writes songs. It was a real treat watching her perform. And she’s really smart.”
He credits this respect for women to being surrounded by women. He has three sisters of whom he feels protective. “They taught me how to care and look after someone. At home, I’m like, ‘Who’s that boy?’ It’s important to have a lot of respect for girls and to value them.” And when he does pursue a girl romantically, Archuleta says, laughing, “I probably wouldn’t wanna tell people.”
Watching ‘Idol’
Now, another thing he’ll be doing when he gets home is watch the new and—maybe-or-maybe-not—improved new season of “American Idol.” For those who just got out of a Chilean mine, the show recently underwent a major revamp with the departure of the show’s best-known judge, Simon Cowell , who is launching the US version of his very own UK franchise, “The X-Factor.” (It should be pointed out that this killed the original “Idol” franchise, “Pop Idol.”) With the axing of Kara DioGuardi and the resignation of Ellen DeGeneres, last judge standing Randy Jackson will be joined by Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler at the judges’ table.
Says Archuleta, “People have gotten used to seeing Simon and hearing his opinions, but Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, being artists and performers, would give an additional element to the judging. [There are now two artists who] have gone through the whole process… fame and performing and making albums and... doing what they want to do to music. I think they’ll be giving good advice.”
He himself is getting
There’s been no rest for the adorable, as Archuleta has since released a pop album and a Christmas album, and toured the world. He even made a Manila pit stop in 2009 for a back-to-back concert with “Idol” 2008 first-placer David Cook, yielding the hilarious event poster that read, “Cook David Archuleta.”
He’s back on a promo tour for his third album “The Other Side of Down,” which promises a sound that’s “older, wiser, with faith still on his side, and an eternally optimistic, wide-eyed outlook.” A very young-looking 20, Archuleta is the very definition of wholesome. Asked at a press con on Wednesday about his favorite memory of the Philippines from the first time around, he claimed that mangoes, not girls, stole his heart. “I ate so many! The mangoes we get in the [United] States are really stringy. Here, they’re so fresh!”
It’s not that girls aren’t on his horizon, ladies. But David Archuleta is one of the few people in show business past puberty who can get away with blinking innocently when people ask about “a special someone.” It actually seems refreshing, and he can go on and on in admiration of his favorite female peers—like Charice Pempengco, with whom he has a duet on his holiday album, “Christmas from the Heart.”
“I keep in touch with her,” Archuleta says of Charice. “I’ll see her on Sunday; we’ll be performing in an event. When I heard she’d be there, I was like, great, that’ll be really fun.”
But is he following her into acting? “It’s not something I initially felt I’d be very good at. But when I took roles in “iCarly” and “Hannah Montana,” I had a really great time. I really enjoyed it. So... who knows?”
Fellow tween stars
Fellow tween starlets are also treated with much respect by the “Idol” star. “‘iCarly’s’ Miranda Cosgrove was really nice and sweet, and more quiet than I thought she’d be.” He glosses over the troubles of Disney starlet Demi Lovato, who recently went into rehab for emotional issues, and with whom Archuleta toured in 2009. “At 18, Demi is so talented. She acts, she sings, she plays instruments and writes songs. It was a real treat watching her perform. And she’s really smart.”
He credits this respect for women to being surrounded by women. He has three sisters of whom he feels protective. “They taught me how to care and look after someone. At home, I’m like, ‘Who’s that boy?’ It’s important to have a lot of respect for girls and to value them.” And when he does pursue a girl romantically, Archuleta says, laughing, “I probably wouldn’t wanna tell people.”
Watching ‘Idol’
Now, another thing he’ll be doing when he gets home is watch the new and—maybe-or-maybe-not—improved new season of “American Idol.” For those who just got out of a Chilean mine, the show recently underwent a major revamp with the departure of the show’s best-known judge, Simon Cowell , who is launching the US version of his very own UK franchise, “The X-Factor.” (It should be pointed out that this killed the original “Idol” franchise, “Pop Idol.”) With the axing of Kara DioGuardi and the resignation of Ellen DeGeneres, last judge standing Randy Jackson will be joined by Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler at the judges’ table.
Says Archuleta, “People have gotten used to seeing Simon and hearing his opinions, but Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, being artists and performers, would give an additional element to the judging. [There are now two artists who] have gone through the whole process… fame and performing and making albums and... doing what they want to do to music. I think they’ll be giving good advice.”
He himself is getting
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