[/caption]Hi,If you are giving your Christmas tree a final touch, you can ask an artistic family member to help you out. He/she can show you how to make paper snowflakes. Show the kids how to fold the paper sheet and to cut it. The scent of fir twigs is wonderful. However, the Christmas fairytale can be even more magical, if you add the scent of oranges pierced with pieces of clover.Christmas Eve[caption id="attachment_360" align="alignleft" width="210" caption="Christmas Eve: The Table, Source: DarikNews"]
[/caption]Anticipating the birth of Christ, people put on the table only meatless dishes. Usually, the dishes’ number is uneven – either seven or nine.When the first star rises in the sky, the family gathers around the table. The eldest family member “breaks” the round loaf of bread. Each member chooses a piece. There are also pieces dedicated to Virgin Mary and the house. There is a coin inside. It is believed that the one who gets the coin will enjoy prosperity throughout the coming year. Cabbage leaves, stuffed peppers, beans, squash, pumpkin, walnuts, onion, garlic, popcorn and corn are also present on the table. Wine, oshav (home-made fruit juice) made of plumps, apples and pears are obligatory.In some parts of Bulgaria, a bowl full of honey is served and tasted for health. Onion is given to mothers and pregnant women to have milk. The table is blessed and each family member takes some grain and throws it high in the chimney so that grain grows well in the coming year.[caption id="attachment_361" align="alignright" width="210" caption="The Family, Source: The Internet"]
[/caption]The table stays through the night so that belief and hope for prosperity are kept. The wood burn in the fireplace in the night as a symbol of God’s light that burns in the house and in people’s hearts!ChristmasOn Christmas, the koledari (singing men) visit the houses, sing songs and glorify Jesus Christ - Jesus Christ who came to the Earth to bring peace and love among the people. The koledari are well expected guests and are welcomed to bless the house. The Christmas menu is substantial and includes meat, fruit, wine, desserts and banitsa (traditional Bulgarian pastry stuffed with cheese).Santa Claus in Bulgaria and Around the World[caption id="attachment_362" align="alignright" width="210" caption="Christmas in Spain, Source: The Internet"]
[/caption]In Bulgaria, Santa Claus arrives with a sleigh that is pulled by deer. Santa Claus leaves the presents for the good children under the Christmas tree.In Turkey Noel Baba is regarded as the patron of stolen and lost children.[caption id="attachment_363" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Santa Claus in Action :), Source: The Internet"]
[/caption]In Spain Papa Noel brings the presents for the kids on the balconies.In Denmark, the mischievous elf Nisse loves to joke with the people. The children leave him a bowl of rice pudding with cinnamon to appease him and get presents :)[caption id="attachment_364" align="alignright" width="150" caption="The Elf Nisse :) from Denmark, Source: The Internet"]
[/caption]Merry Christmas! Dance, dream and laugh!In the blog post are used materials from the newspaper[caption id="attachment_365" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Merry Christmas :) Source: The Internet"]
[/caption]Lechitel, Standart Daily and Hair & Beauty Journal.