Christmas and New Year travel: Difference between revisions

==Understand==

{{quote|O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,<br>It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.<br>Long lay the world in sin and error pining,<br>Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.<br>A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,<br>For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.|author=Placide Cappeau, translated to English by John Sullivan Dwight}}

 

In Christianity, Jesus is traditionally said to have been born the night between Christmas Eve (December 24) and Christmas Day (December 25). Some Eastern Orthodox (e.g. Russian, Serbian and Bulgarian) and Oriental Orthodox (e.g. Coptic and Ethiopian) churches follow the Julian calendar, meaning that Christmas falls on what is 7th January on the Gregorian calendar. The Armenian church celebrates Christmas on 6th January, together with the Theophany. Various other days are also celebrated, such as Epiphany, a holiday celebrating the Magi's visit to the baby Jesus, which is the main festive day in some countries including Spain. Christmas – maybe not so coincidentally – follows a tradition found in much of Eurasia prior to the rise of Christianity to celebrate a festival of lights around the winter solstice; therefore, some Christmas traditions predate Christianity. To this day, light plays a dominant role in Christmas symbolism, especially in temperate and polar regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

 

The Christmas season traditionally ends on January 6 (the Epiphany), the "13th day of Christmas". This date is celebrated in many countries of the world under different names. In many Latin American countries it is ''Dia los Reyes'' (or ''Tres Magos'') and is often marked with gift giving. A Rosca de Reyes (King's Cake) is served.

 

==Get in==

==Destinations==

{{quote|Christmas in L.A. is weird. There's no snow. It's not even cold.|author=Ellie Goulding}}

Many people travel to, or within, the tropics or the southern hemisphere, as it is summer there. However, those who prefer [[winter sport]] or just want to experience a white Christmas travel to, or within, the northern temperate zone.

 

===Alps===

Many people go to the [[Alps]] for Christmas, and venues are overbooked. On the other hand, snow tends to be a given above certain altitudes.

 

===Nordic countries===

{{seealso|Winter in the Nordic countries|Nordic folk culture}}

 

While the [[Nordic countries]] are known for snow, the Nordic capitals have poor odds for a White Christmas, from a toss-up chance in [[Helsinki]] to very unusual in [[Copenhagen]]. Snow in December can be found further north, or on the mountains.

 

 

[[Gävle]] in Sweden is famous for a 12-metre straw goat which is built before Christmas every year. The goat has traditionally become the target of arsonists.

 

While Nordic people celebrate Christmas with families on the 24th, the 25th is a major nightlife event in Sweden.

 

===Middle East===

 

The [[Philippines]] boasts the longest Christmas celebrations; the Christmas season begins at September and ends at January, as late as the Feast of the Infant Jesus. It is also the busiest season in the country, where malls and flea markets hold periodic sales all season round. Children can be seen singing Christmas carols as early as October. Though Western culture has penetrated the Filipino Christmas, which incorporated Hispanic traditions like the ''Misa de Gallo'' and ''Nochebuena'', you can still encounter authentic Filipino traditions like the ''parol'' (star-shaped Christmas lantern) and ''belen'' (Nativity scene). Christmas in the Philippines is rather mild, warm and tropical, and a good escape from the harsh winter far north.

 

===United States===

[[New York City]]'s '''[https://www.rockettes.com/christmas/ Radio City Christmas Spectacular]''' is one of the best-known Christmas shows. In addition, New York City is also known for the giant Christmas tree and ice skating rink at Rockefeller Plaza. A large number of movies are set around Christmas in New York: ''Home Alone 2'', ''Miracle on 34th Street'', ''When Harry Met Sally'', ''Elf'', ''Scrooged''.

 

==Do==

* [[Christianity|Churches]] celebrate Christmas in different ways.

* Christmas carols are sung by amateur choirs, often at free public concerts in the street (e.g. at markets) or door-to-door at private residences. Carollers usually take donations for charity, embodying the Christmas spirit of giving.

* Some towns and cities hold tree-lighting ceremonies.

* Visit some reindeer, and perhaps even have a tour with them. Available in many places in the northern parts of [[Finland]], [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]].

* Department stores and shopping malls, as well as some minor shops, create special Christmas window displays in many cities.

* A "Santa Claus parade" or "Christmas parade" is held in many communities in late November or during December.

* Nativity plays retelling the conception and birth of Jesus are an important part of Advent for many Christians. Often performed by children, these usually form part of special church services or other public events like the tree-lighting ceremony.

* Other perennial Christmas stage shows include the Shakespeare play ''Twelfth Night'' and Tchaikovsky's ballet ''The Nutcracker''.

* In many communities, the New Year is marked with parties, fireworks, and a group rendition of ''Auld Lang Syne''.

 

== Buy ==

==Eat==

[[File:Christmas pudding.JPG|right|thumb|200px|Christmas pudding]]

 

 

Many animals (including carp, geese and turkeys) are specifically bred for Christmas dinner in the regions where they are common. However, prices can be steep and availability low immediately before Christmas. Some such items are reserved beforehand by locals; try to do the same. If your plans involve [[border crossing|travelling across borders]] you might be tempted to bring some types of food. However, this might prove tricky at best, as some countries have strict prohibitions on bringing in products that could carry pathogens that cause agricultural diseases.

 

==Drink==

Eggnog is popular around Christmas and New Year's in the United States and Canada. The eggnog available in grocery stores is almost always non-alcoholic.

 

 

==See also==

* [[Chinese New Year]], celebrated in January or February

* [[Easter travel]]

 

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