Christmas Decorations around the world

Christmas is a Christian religious festival celebrated by millions of people all over the world. Every country has their own special tradition and ways of celebrating this festival and commemorating the feast of Christ. A look at some of the Christmas decorations round the world brings to light some interesting traditions and practices followed there. Though, the essential element of the celebration is the same everywhere, yet local customs and traditions, have been incorporated to give it a special touch. Some of the common decorations around the world include decorating homes, decorating the Christmas tree, decorating the outdoors, decorating the neighborhood etc.

Decorations in Italy

• Christmas trees and Christmas lights are among the most popular holiday decoration in Italy.
• The largest Christmas tree can be seen in Monte Ingino where huge arrays of Christmas lights are displayed.
• The tree is said to measure about eight hundred meters and is believed to have approximately five hundred different types of light decorations.
• The tree is lit on the feast of Immaculate Conception which takes place on the eight day of December; on the previous day i.e. on the seventh day of December, the tree is introduced to the people of the area.
• The nativity scene is another popular Christmas decoration tradition in Italy. In fact one can also find nativity scenes put up with live people on display during this time.
• Special emphasis is put on portraying Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus properly at this time.
• Competitions are also held across the country to find out and give an award, to the best done nativity scene, in various places in the country. 

Decorations in Russia

• Christmas decoration around the world is completely different in some aspects while it is also similar in some ways. In Russia
• Christmas is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on the 7th of January with formal religious ceremony.
• Saint Nicholas, the elderly Greek man with a beautiful spirit of giving is one of the prominent figures favored for Christmas decorations.
• Santa Claus was eventually modeled on Saint Nicholas and he is a popular symbol of decoration all over the world.
• The figurines and ornaments of Snegurochka are another popular Christmas decoration in Russia. According to legends, a lonely couple made the figure of a little girl out of snow as they prayed to be blessed with a child of their own.
• The snow figure is then said to have come to life and it lived happily with the couple, till spring time after which, she has to return to the land of the snow.
• The parents mourned for her thinking they had lost her forever, but she came back to them again during the winters.
• Thus, this tradition has been going on and she is portrayed as a young princess in the figures used for decoration.

Decorations in Germany

• Christmas decorations in Germany come in all sizes, shapes and designs; the decorations are made out of wood, wax, glass and pewter.
• Most of the decoration ornaments are crafted into popular Christmas symbols like Santa Claus, snowmen as other religious characters as well.
• Mouth blown glass ornaments were first made by the Germans which eventually went on to become famous in England. Wax Christmas ornaments have also been made in Germany since the very early days; initially they were sold just in the local markets.
• The locals used to buy it and use it to embellish their Christmas trees during the holidays.
• Though Christmas decorations around the world are of various types, they have been implemented and accepted by people all over.
• While some of the decorations have remained intact since the time it began, some changes have been incorporated in others with time.