Holiday season

milot.shala

In Kosovo we don't have Christmas but our main holiday is the new year. Here city is partially illuminated and I see people buying presents because we do buy presents for the new year though.

And yes, sun is "here with us":http://twitpic.com/3gqr01

vsorokin

I know what in Italy is different, and I envy you sometimes ;)

xsacha

I live in Australia. Main holiday is actually Christmas (Dec 25) unlike most of you guys :P Also, New Years (Dec 31).
We aren't obsessed with lights but there is plenty of fireworks.
Decorations are all over the city. Every shop and town decorates in their own unique way (anything goes). Predominantly red and green colours.

It's summer here so no snow (it doesn't snow in winter either). Some families get a christmas tree for the house and put presents underneath it.

troubalex

xsacha, trust me, I'd prefer sun right now. Even over a Christmas tree. :-P

giesbert

I live in Germany, and our main Holiday this time is definitely Christmas (24-26) and then (including New Year) most people I know work again on 10.1.2011, some also on 3.1.2011. Most Industry is closed between Christmas and New Year.

Regarding Lights, its very different. Some people go the "traditional" way with a Christmas tree and some small lights, some go the "American" way with a lot of electric light and stuff in the garden and on the roof, but that's less than the first one.

We will only have a Christmas tree and some small decorations. Otherwise it would not survive the dog and the children :-)) And it's much better in my opinion to not make too much...

vcsala

Hungary in terms of celebration is very close to the way Gerolf described about Germany. Originally it was rather modest celebration with some small lights (mainly on the Christmas tree) but the "American" style seems to spread here, as well.

maciej

In Poland we start celebrating at 24th in the evening with dinner made of 12 dishes. Also gifts are given on 24th (laying under the tree). You should also leave one extra plate on the table for stray guest. Some people decorate houses in "American" way but it's rather minority.

vsorokin

My modest X-mas tree
!http://media.share.ovi.com/m1/s/2644/10b5d9f1531543a29dada4fbe0e46e0c.jpg(tree)!

giesbert

Oh, that looks nice. Is it for this year or an old photo?

stukdev

This is mine :P The Santa I had won last year.

"link":http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3439/19122010907.jpg

vsorokin

Gerolf Reinwardt, I make this photo one hour ago. :)

giesbert

wow, we even did not by one for this year, but there are some days left :-)

vcsala

We traditionally decorate the tree on 24th (and usually this is the task of the children)

vsorokin

Decorating X-mas tree is very joyfully and interestingly for my small son. He really was very glad when we do it.

milot.shala

looks nice :)

giesbert

We also decorate on 24th, together with the children. sometime on 23. so in the morning of 24th it's finished.

vsorokin

In Russia decorate the tree when you want it :) earlier than month, 2 weeks or earlier than one hour :) Remove tree after Jan, 15. Sometimes later. We have national joke about Christmas tree removing and May, 1 celebration. ;)

stukdev

We decorate the tree on 8th for the the "immaculate conception":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception.

parancibia

Also in Argentina, in addition the 8th is holiday (we have many, many, many "holidays in the year":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Argentina)
[quote author="stuk" date="1292764793"]We decorate the tree on 8th for the the "immaculate conception":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception.[/quote]

vsorokin

Ok, We decided all with trees, but what about gifts? Who are received gifts from you? What are the gifts?