Do you know how people celebrate Christmas in different countries? What do people usually do before Christmas and on Christmas day? What do you think is the main thing at Christmas?

Of course for millions of people, the most important thing on this day is Christmas tree. People have different traditions connecting with it but almost everybody buy Christmas trees and we often hear that it`s become a real symbol of Christmas. Lets know how people decorate trees in different countries.

German settlers(германские завоеватели) migrated to Canada from the United States in the 1700s. Capitol Christmas Tree (Washington D.C.) They brought with them many of the things associated with Christmas and Christmas trees. When Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert, put up(установил) a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle in 1848, the Christmas tree became a tradition throughout England, the United States,and Canada.Queen Victoria's Prince Albert Canada

In most Mexican homes the main holiday adornment (украшение) is el Nacimiento (Nativity scene-сцена рождества). However, a decorated Christmas tree may be incorporated(включён) in the Nacimiento or set up(установленна) elsewhere in the home. As purchase of a natural pine represents a luxury commodity(также как и покупка настоящей сосны является предметом роскоши) to most Mexican families, the typical arbolito (little tree) is often an artificial(искуственная) one.

Although Christmas falls during the summer in Brazil, sometimes pine trees are decorated with little pieces of cotton that represent falling snow.

Christmas in Gamla Stan, Stockholm Most people buy Christmas trees well before Christmas Eve, but it's not common to take the tree inside and decorate it until just a few days before. Evergreen trees are decorated with stars and snowflakes made from straw(солома). Other decorations include colorful wooden(деревянный) animals.

Christmas at Karl Johan Street in Oslo, Norway Nowadays Norwegians often take a trip(ездить) to the woods to select a Christmas tree, a trip that their grandfathers probably did not make. The Christmas tree was not introduced (не была привезена) into Norway from Germany until the latter half of the 19th century; to the country districts (район) it came even later. When Christmas Eve arrives, there is the decorating of the tree, usually done by the parents behind(позади) the closed doors of the living room(гостинная), while the children wait with excitement (волнение) outside. A Norwegian ritual known as "circling the Christmas tree" follows, where everyone joins hands to form a ring (держаться за руки чтобы образовать круг) around the tree and then walk around it singing carols (рождественские песни). Afterwards, gifts are distributed (распределяются).

South Africa Christmas is a summer holiday in South Africa. Although Christmas trees are not common, windows are often draped with sparkling cotton wool and tinsel. Christmas tree at the airport of Cape Town, South Africa

Many Christmas traditions practiced around the world today started in Germany. It has been long thought (очень долго считалось) that Martin Luther began the tradition of bringing a fir tree(ель) into the home. According to(согласно) one legend, late one evening Martin Luther was walking home through the woods and noticed how beautifully the stars shone through the trees. He wanted to share the beauty with his wife so he cut down a fir tree and took it home. Once inside he placed small lighted candles(заженные свечи) on the branches and said that it would be a symbol of the beautiful Christmas sky. Hence(отсюда), the Christmas tree.Martin Luther Reichstag, Berlin, Germany, the main tree