Farmeramafarmers: what's up

I would like to open a thread where we can share stories about the different countries we live in and their traditions and cultures.

 

Please be so kind and keep the thread on topic. Culture and traditions are to be shared, so all the off topic posts have been deleted, nothing related to this has been mentioned

 

Good.Maybe someone can explain to me what Hallo-Winnie is.I do not understand it. We do not in my country...

 

What country are you from?
I'm from United States Of America.

 

It's that time of year again for stringing cranberries, popping popcorn over the fire in the fireplace, making pine wreaths and banister runners, mistletoe hung over the living room entry, and decorating inside and out. First the tree must be selected and then brought home. Then comes the whole family getting together for the decorating, each having their own part to do. We all gather to watch It's A Wonderful Life, the stockings are decorated then hung on the mantle, the cookies are made for Santa, then comes gathering by the fireplace for the reading of The Littlest Angel followed by Twas the Night Before Christmas. On Christmas Eve the cookies are made for Santa. Before retiring for the night every one gets to open a special gift that was handmade especially for them (we choose names and then make something [this could also be a story, song, poem, etc.] that would be special to the person drawn). Santa's cookies are arranged ever so beautifully on a saucer and along with his Ovaltine they are displayed on a Christmas platter set next to the Christmas Tree and the corn is set out on the lawn for the reindeer. We check in on the news to see where Santa is located and then it's off to bed filled with anticipation of Santa's arrival and all the goodies that will be received!

btw: Texas, USA

 

I'm from Romania and I live in Korea. The culture and traditions... and all things between the two countries are like walnuts and apple. But together they make a good pie or a delicious jam
But even so; when I visit Romania, I can not wait to get back in Korea. But when I'm in Korea I miss many things and habits of Romania. Especially parents and brother
However, I don't want to give up any of them. Both countries are wonderful and special in every way. And I'm happy

 

Yesterday my niece and nephew gave me an awesome present: The smallest living! Christmas Tree I have ever seen. The poor thing has even trouble with the miniature ornaments they got me with it.

I had mentioned last year that in Germany we still use a lot of real trees for Christmas and how the family goes out to choose the best and prettiest one. So this year they ran around and looked at all sorts of places (they all live in a tiny town) and the only one they could find is a bonsai version of a tree. I just love it, it is so cute. And everybody helped decorating it! My nephew even whipped up a star for the tip: made out of paper, sparkles and scotch tape. He is so crafty... I am so proud.

This tree is in a plant pot. I will find a good spot in the backyard for it after Christmas and set it "free". And I hope one day it will even grow taller that me.

At the same time we decorated the yard. This is the first time that I have gotten to do that! The pretty lights make me happy every time I see them.

 

What a wonderful present to receive jennifersiegel. How special it must be to you and even more so your niece and nephew. There is a lot to be said for tradition, unfortunately it seems to be lost more and more with each passing year. I am happy for you that a part of it touched your heart this Christmas.

 

I believe you were asking about Halloween.
here's a link that explains it better than I can....~edit ~removed outside link

Christmas in the US is very commercial.
I have tried to cling to the celebration that my English immigrant grandparents practiced.
We put up our tree the week before Christmas, Many people here in the southern US put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving unless they are at black Friday sales.
I eat fruitcake, which many people think is some sort of uneatable concoction that the re-gift annually; If I can find some, or make some, I also love plum pudding with hard sauce (sugar & butter). We open gifts on Christmas morning.
I am married to a man who has a long southern heritage, he likes to have ham biscuits and sweets to eat while we open gifts. He wants collards and black-eyed peas, on New Year's Day, they are for good luck in the southern tradition. I live in eastern Virginia.

 

Let me share some Greek traditions

When the year ends the midnight and first of January starts people divide a New Year cake cake in as many pieces as they are and 3 more for Christ, Santa Claus and our house.Whoever is making the cake when it is ready he puts a coin inside the cake. So when the cut the the cake someone is the lucky one and gets the coin. It is very interesting to see who got it.

Something very interesting and unique is what it is happening in 6 of January(that day is a religious celebration called Epiphany).
After the liturgy in the church early in the morning people go to the sea port and the priest throws a silver cross(kind of big) in the sea.
Then some people usually men and around 18(but also some girls and older people) dive in the sea and they try to get the cross which is sinking. Whoever gets the cross osculates the hand of the priest and the next day all the people who dived go to houses with the cross and collect money for the church. As you can imagine the sea is very cold that day and all the people watching congratulate the people who dived.

 

what is chickadee??????????

 

Thank you for putting that source. I also don't know what is hellowin because I do not celebrate it.
I can tell you some shocking news: I also do not celebrate Christmas, Happy New Year and Easter...


I celebrate something called "Chinese New Year" and "Mid-Autumn Festival". Never heard of them?

Chinese New Year is coming soon, on 19 Feb 2015. A little note: CNY doesn't always happen on 19 Feb. The date of CNY relies on the moon.
On CNY Eve (18 Feb 2015) my family gathers for our reunion dinner. We eat food together, especially fish. Normally we have leftovers. (Don't know why, maybe it's because if you have leftovers you will not go hungry for the whole year)
On CNY we visit our relatives. Adults give children "red packets" which have money. People also like to wear red clothes on CNY because to us red can get rid of bad luck.

On Mid-Autumn Festival we eat something called mooncakes.

This is all the information I am giving you. The End.

 

Some years ago my Hubby treated himself to a trip to China - before all the new development took place. He is so glad he went when he did. Anyway, what he did not realize is that it coincided with the Chinese New Year. He had a wonderful time and walked down streets dodging all the Chinese Firecrackers being let off, some being hung in long strings from upstairs windows. I wonder what Health and Safety would think of that!?

 

farmerumf, that's our culture, so I guess Health and Safety will not do anything.