Each year Christmas is celebrated through the world with great religiosity and festivity, however, the pattern of celebration varies according to cultures
BRITAIN
In Britain family members take turns in stirring the pudding mix clockwise while making a wish. Some even put coins, rings or thimbles for good luck.
RUSSIA
In Russia Christmas is celebrated on January 7th instead of December 25th. This is because the Orthodox Church, where most Russians pay worship, still uses the old Julian calendar for religious festivity.
U.S.A
Just like the Comi-con, U.S.A celebrates a unique Santa-con festival. New York gather dressed as Santa dressed up as Christmas characters. You will see a lot of Santas, elves, snowmen and snow women.
CANADA
In the northern region of the country, people participate in a Taffy Pull in honor of Saint Catharine-patron saint of single women. For single women out there, this is the ideal chance to meet the man of your dreams.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Single women perform a ritual to determine if they’ll marry in the following year. On the Christmas Eve, a girl throws one of her shoes towards the door. If the shoe lands and the heel points at the door, the girl shall not marry next year. If it lands otherwise, she should immediately start wedding preparations.
SWEDEN
A Giant made of straw is built at start of the holiday season. Vandals do everything they can to burn down the goat before Christmas day. So far since 1966, the goat only survived 10 times because people disguise themselves as Santa Claus or elves just to get past the guards and burn the goat.
CHINA
Despite the low percentage of Christmas in China, Christmas still is thought to be a day of joy. In major cities, Christmas Trees, lights and other ornaments are placed and people wait for ‘Shen Dan Lao Ren’ (Santa). On Christmas Eve people give apples wrapped in colored paper. People do this because ‘Ping An Ye’ (Christmas eve) sounds pretty much like ‘Ping Guo’ (Apple).
JAPAN
Kentucky Fried Chicken is the most famous Christmas dinner in Japan. The demand for this delicious chicken spikes up to the point that you need to reserve your chicken 2 months ahead.
ITALY
Instead of Santa Claus gifts are delivered by a witch called La Befana. This witch arrives on Epiphany and brings along traditional holiday gifts, fruits, and candies for the nice kids. And for the naughty kids, she brings coal and garlic. People leave the wine for her to drink before she will dean your floor with her broomstick.
UKRAINE
Christmas trees are decorated with real spiders and spider webs. According to tradition, this will give the home good luck.
PHILIPPINES
Philippines observe the world’s longest Christmas season which starts from September. They have a long lineup of traditional activities including Caroling, Monito Monita (Secret Santa) and Misa De Gallo (Dawn Mass). The country is also famous for is Parols which are lanterns that have Christmas designs
Carve out the eyes and mouth; slice into the scar shape at an angle to make it more visible. Wipe off remaining marker with a damp cloth. Using a skewer or awl, puncture pairs of holes opposite each other ½” apart along the length of the scar. Bend a Q-tip into a U shape; press each end into a pair of holes opposite each other. Continue until holes are filled. Press olives onto half-toothpicks and press into eye holes
Look out, because these perky pumpkins are looking back! Cut eyeholes in your pumpkin, and attach plastic eyeballs (available at party supply stores) inside the sockets to give the face a spooky stare.
This surprised fella will look adorable (in a scary way!) on your front porch. Carve circle eyes and a big mouth in any size squash. Push artificial nails into edge of mouth for teeth. For eyes, glue black sequin pupils to seashell coins; push into place.
Makartt Coffin Nails
Wow Earthlings with the out-of-this-world effects on this space-inspired set. Tap the built-in LEDs on the butternut squash rocket ship and pumpkin flying saucer to light up the night.
Homemory Flameless Tea Lights Candles
Hallowe’en is a popular festival in many countries all over the world, and every year it seems to get bigger. It’s getting dark earlier and it’s starting to get cold. Christmas is still a long way away. We need something to cheer us up and take our minds off the fact that winter is nearly here. Find out some more about the traditional festival of Hallowe’en.
The origins of the name
The festival of Hallowe’en has its roots in Celtic and Roman traditions. Over 2,000 years ago the Celts in Britain, Ireland, and parts of France celebrated Samhain to mark the beginning of winter. When the Romans invaded, they merged this with Feralia, their celebration of the passing of the dead. As Christianity spread, the Church tried to replace these pagan feasts with official Church holy days. One of these was November 1. It was called All Saints Day, or “All Hallows”, and October 31 was known as “All Hallows’ Eve”, and then Hallowe’en.
Hallowe’en traditions
In the past, there was a tradition called “souling”. Poor people went around houses asking for food. In exchange, they promised to say prayers for the dead. People no longer go souling, but the habit has been transformed into a modern Hallowe’en game for children in America, who dress up as ghosts, witches, and monsters and go around people’s houses, asking for sweets. This game is called ‘Trick or Treat’.
Witches
Hallowe’en wouldn’t be fun without witches. Witches have always been part of popular folklore. Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” opens with three witches. A witch was someone – usually a woman – who had special powers and had dealings with the devil. The American town, Salem, in the state of Massachusetts, is famous for the “witchcraft trials”, which took place there in 1692.
Pumpkins
The pumpkin has become a symbol of Hallowe’en. People empty a pumpkin, cut a face into the side, and put a candle inside to make a lamp. It’s known as a Jack O’ Lantern, from an Irish legend about a man called Jack, who made a deal with the devil.
Animals
Black cats, frogs, mice, and spiders are just some of the animals associated with Hallowe’en. Generally, the more unpleasant the animal, the stronger the Hallowe’en connection. Nocturnal animals like bats are particular favorites, and if, as is the case with vampire bats, they like drinking blood, they are high on the Hallowe’en list.
- Witch.
- Spider-Man.
- Dinosaur.
- Stranger Things.
- Fairy.
- Pirate.
- Rabbit.
- Cheerleader.
Video
The post Halloween History and Costumes  first appeared on Helena Daily English.]]>
ABOUT THE 1619 PROJECT: BORN ON THE WATER
The 1619 Project’s lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States, thoughtfully rendered by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Newbery honor-winning author Renée Watson.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
A young student receives a family tree assignment in school, but she can only trace back three generations. Grandma gathers the whole family, and the student learns that 400 years ago, in 1619, their ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders.
But before that, they had a home, a land, a language. She learns how the people said to be born on the water survived.
And the people planted dreams and hope,
willed themselves to keep
living, living.
And the people learned new words
for love
for friend
for family
for joy
for grow
for home.
With powerful verse and striking illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, Born on the Water provides a pathway for readers of all ages to reflect on the origins of American identity.
According to the Author: Barton Goldsmith Ph.D.
We all want to feel happy, and each one of us has different ways of getting there. Here are 10 steps you can take to increase your feeling of great happiness and bring more happiness into your life:
- Be with others who make you smile: Studies show that we are happiest when we are around those who are also happy. Stick with those who are joyful and let rub off on you.
- Hold on to your values: What you find true, what you know is fair, and what you believe in are all values. Over time, the more you honor them, the better you will feel about yourself and those you love.
- Accept the good: Look at your life and take stock of what’s working, and don’t push away something just because it isn’t perfect. When good things happen, even the very little ones, let them in.
- Imagine the best: Don’t be afraid to look at what you really want and see yourself getting it. Many people avoid this process because they don’t want to be disappointed if things don’t work out. The truth is that imagining getting what you want is a big part of achieving it.
- Do things you love: Maybe you can’t skydive every day or take vacations every season, but as long as you get to do the things you love every once in a while, you will find greater happiness.
- Find purpose: Those who believe they are contributing to the well-being of humanity tend to feel better about their lives. Most people want to be part of something greater than they are, simply because it’s fulfilling.
- Listen to your heart: You are the only one who knows what fills you up. Your family and friends may think you’d be great at something that really doesn’t float your boat. It can be complicated following your bliss. Just be smart, and keep your day job for the time being.
- Push yourself, not others: It’s easy to feel that someone else is responsible for your fulfillment, but the reality is that it is really your charge. Once you realize that, you have the power to get where you want to go. Stop blaming others or the world, and you’ll find your answers much sooner.
- Be open to change: Even if it doesn’t feel good, change is the one thing you can count on. Change will happen, so make contingency plans and emotionally shore yourself up for the experience.
- Bask in the simple pleasures: Those who love you, treasured memories, silly jokes, warm days, and starry nights—these are the ties that bind and the gifts that keep on giving.
Happiness and fulfillment are within your grasp, but sometimes just out of reach. Understanding what works best for you is the first step in finding more of them.
Other related post: What is Happiness?
Happiness is something everyone wants to have. You may be successful and have a lot of money, but without happiness, it will be meaningless.
That’s why I’m excited about this month’s theme of Happiness. We will discuss this topic all month long and I’m sure we will learn a lot. But, before we move further, it’s a good idea to get deeper understanding of the word happiness itself. Understanding what happiness is will give us good ground upon which to build our discussions.
Let me start with an official definition. According to Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, here is the definition of happiness:
- a state of well-being and contentment
- a pleasurable or satisfying experience
This definition is a good starting point and we can dig deeper from it. The best way to do that is to consult some of the greatest minds in history. So I researched what these people say about happiness and found 10 essential definitions. Each of them has deep meaning. Take your time to absorb it.
Here they are:
| Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. |
| Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one’s values. |
| Happiness is something that you are and it comes from the way you think. |
| Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation. |
| Happiness is not a reward – it is a consequence. |
| Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling and enduring and accomplishing. |
| Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence. |
| Happiness is not something you experience, it’s something you remember. |
| Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling. |
| Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. |
All in all, I would say that happiness is a decision. Your happiness is your decision to make. All the quotes above require actions on our part and actions require decisions.
So what do you think?
What is happiness?
Another related post: 10 Simple Ways to Find Happiness
The post Happiness & What is Happiness? first appeared on Helena Daily English.]]>For many international students, adjusting to American culture can be difficult and at times frustrating. American customs and values might be very different from those of your home country, and you might find them confusing. You will probably want to familiarize yourself with American culture before your departure, in order to make the transition as easy as possible.
Values
- Independence. Americans strongly believe in the concept of individualism. They consider themselves to be separate individuals who are in control of their own lives, rather than members of a close-knit, interdependent family, religious group, tribe, nation, or other groups.
- Equality. The American Declaration of Independence states that “all [people] are created equal,” and this belief is deeply embedded in their cultural values. Americans believe that all people are of equal standing, and are therefore uncomfortable with overt displays of respect such as being bowed to.
- Informality. This belief in equality causes Americans to be rather informal in their behavior towards other people. Don’t be surprised if store clerks and waiters introduce themselves by their first names. Many people visiting the US are surprised by the informality of American speech, dress, and posture. Don’t mistake this for rudeness or irreverence; it’s just a part of their culture!
- Directness. Americans tend to value, frankness and openness in their dealings with other people. They believe that conflicts and disagreements are best solved by means of forthright discussion among the people involved. Americans believe that if someone has a problem with someone else, they should tell the person clearly and directly in order to come up with a solution to the problem.
U.S. Holidays and Customs to Know
One fun way to learn about a culture is to participate in its traditions. Here are a few key holidays that Americans celebrate throughout the country:
| 1 January | New Year’s Day | Welcome the new year with parties starting the night before (New Year’s Eve on 31 December) |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Monday in January | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Commemorate the birthday of the African-American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. |
| 14 February | Valentine’s Day | Celebrate love and romance by exchanging tokens of love (usually cards, candy or gifts). |
| 3rd Monday of February | President’s Day | Honor past American presidents like George Washington (the nation’s first leader) and Abraham Lincoln (Civil War hero who helped abolish slavery). |
| 17 March | Saint Patrick’s Day | Celebrate the patron saint of Ireland with parades and parties decorated in Irish green. |
| 1 April | April Fool’s Day | Play a clever (but harmless) trick or tell a joke to someone with a good sense of humor. |
| Last Monday of May | Memorial Day | Remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. |
| 4 July | Independence Day | View public displays of fireworks as Americans mark the date when thirteen U.S. states declared their independence from England in 1776. |
| 1st Monday in September | Labor Day | Honor the contributions and efforts of hard workers throughout the country. |
| 2nd Monday in October | Columbus Day | Pay tribute to Christopher Columbus, who is traditionally thought of as the discoverer of the Americas in 1492. |
| Last Thursday in November | Thanksgiving Day | Feast on a traditional meal that commemorates the dinner shared by the Pilgrims (first settlers of the thirteen colonies) and the Native Americans. |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Celebrate the birth of Christ, leader of the Christian faith, by exchanging gifts with family and friends |