Christmas Celebrations Around the World: Who First Brought a Christmas Tree into the Home and Created Advent Calendars.

Christmas is a Time when each country showcases its unique culture through customs and traditions that unite generations and remind of family values.

However, some interesting Christmas traditions may be unknown. For example, who first invented Advent calendars or where the tradition of decorating a live Christmas tree came from.

1. Hanging Advent Calendars in Germany

Advent calendars are sets where people open windows daily with gifts that can be sweets or cosmetics. The Advent tradition originates from Germany, where in the 19th century, Protestants drew 24 chalk lines on doors and erased one each day in December. Paper 'Advent calendars' became popular in the 20th century, but chocolate started being added in the 1950s.

2. Decorating Christmas Trees in Europe

The Christmas tree was not used as a Christmas attribute immediately. However, Tallinn (Estonia) and Riga (Latvia) are considered cities where the Christmas tree was first used for Christmas celebrations. At the same time, it is often believed that Christians brought the Christmas tree as a symbol of Christmas. The calming green at Christmas symbolizes eternal life and the coming spring.

3. Noche de las Velitas (Night of Little Candles) in Colombia

On December 7, Colombia celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Noche de las Velitas. This celebration marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Colombians illuminate their homes with candles arranged in patterned paper lanterns. This ritual symbolizes purity, light, and joy. Over time, the celebration has become more public and lively, with music and fireworks.

4. Christmas Celebration in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, Christmas, known as Ganna or Genna, is celebrated on January 7 (according to the Julian calendar). On this day, Ethiopians dress in white and wear a traditional netela - a white cotton shawl. Many Ethiopians believe that all three wise men who came to the baby Jesus were from their country.

5. Poinsettia as a Christmas Symbol in Mexico

Poinsettia, or Christmas Eve plant, is a flower that blooms in winter. In Mexico, it has become a symbol of Christmas due to the legend of a girl who offered weeds to Jesus in the manger, and these weeds miraculously blossomed into red flowers. These flowers, shaped like the Star of Bethlehem, are now known as the Flowers of the Holy Night.

6. Burning the Devil in Guatemala

In Guatemala, there is a tradition called 'Burning the Devil' - burning an effigy of the devil. This ritual symbolizes the cleansing of homes from evil and misfortune that occurred in the past year. People gather in squares in towns and villages, light bonfires, and burn the devil, usually in the form of a piñata and other effigies.