Christmas Carols, Santa Clause, Christmas tree, Stockings, Plum Cake, Christmas Eve, roasted turkey and many more will be a part of the 2011 Christmas. Christmas is a time to pray for the blessings received last year and the good luck for the coming year. This festival is celebrated through all nations in the world. This time of the year is the time for shopping, treating, exchanging gifts and taking off from work. The mid night mass plays a vital role during this festival. The Eve of Christmas is given more importance as the preparation for the main day starts from the eve. 2011 Christmas will not be any exception even if there is a rumor around that the world might end in December 2011.

Why do we celebrate Christmas?

To commemorate the birth of Jesus, Christmas is celebrated throughout the world on 25th December every year. However, the date varies in few situations, like; some orthodox church celebrates Christmas on 7th January. The American Apostolic Church celebrates the birth of Christ on 06 January, while the Americans of Jerusalem and the Holy land celebrates the festival on 19th January. The date of the Christmas celebration has been decided as per the Canonical gospel. Christmas, the festival of love and joy is celebrated by non-Christians too. This day is considered to be a holiday for all. On this day the birth of Jesus is celebrated all over the world.

The midnight mass

The celebration of 2011 Christmas will start with the midnight mass. The belief is that at twelve o clock Jesus was born. The history of the midnight mass is such that the midnight mass was celebrated by pope at 12 o clock at the chapel in Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome. The sound of the pealing bell with the sparkling light adds a different touch to the hymns of the mass at the eve.

The day before Christmas

The day bore Christmas is a very important day. The preparation for the midnight mass is made. Further, the Christmas tree which symbolizes the festival is decorated. The tree gets decorated with bells, toys, gifts and lights. The job is mainly done the younger members of the house. Once the tree is decorated the meal for the festival is made. There are different types of meal made for the festival. The main attraction for children is the stockings. They hung the stockings at night for Santa to give them gifts.

Fun with Santa

The idea of Santa Clause was given by the Dutch settlers. The main idea of the Santa came from Sint Klaas. Saint Nicholas has been made Santa Clause who gives gift to all children after mass. This festival is at times believed to be the festival of children. They wait for the entire year for Santa to give them gifts.

The meal at Christmas

You should have a good appetite for Christmas. All the good food you can think about gets prepared during this time of the year. Cookies, candies, cakes, puddings are made and given to the near and dear ones in the family. Few parts of Europe make the Holy meal of 12 meatless dishes for the Christmas Eve. Few dishes which is made at Christmas and enjoyed by all are:

• Apple cider
• Boiled Custard
• Candy canes
• Champagne
• Christmas Ham
• Hot Buttered Rum
• Hot Chocolate
• Mashed Potato
• Mixed Nuts
• Prime Rib
• Plum Pudding
• Russian Tea Cakes
• Tamales
• Roast Beef
• Roast duck
• Roast Goose
• Roast Pheasant
• Satsumas
• Doughnuts
• Eggnog
• Fruitcake

Gifts at Christmas

Christmas is the time buying gift for your friends and family. The shopping starts from a month in advance. The different type popular Christmas gifts are:

• Fresh flowers
• Strawberries
• Miniature
• Dry fruits
• Plum cake
• Muffins
• Chocolates
• Assorted cookies
• Stuffed toys
• Teddy bear
• Story books
• Cookies to the kids
• Coffee mug beer mug with some inspirational message

The Christmas decoration

Christmas is decorated with lights all around. Every household is lighted during this time of the year and luminaries are made. A Nativity scene is made in the lawns of the houses. Some decorate the house with a theme. The themes which are used for Christmas are:

• Candy canes
• Snowflakes
• Snowmen
• Christmas trees
• Angels
• Candles
• Bells
• Reindeer
• Santa clause

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