Icecream0513
The excitement begins for children on Christmas Eve, when they hang uptheir stockings (an old sock or, more ambitiously, pillow cases) around thefireplace or at the foot of the bed for Father Christmas to fill with presents.The English Father Christmas or Santa Claus is first recorded in his traditionalred and white outfit in a woodcut of 1653, but the story of Santa arriving inhis reindeer-drawn sleigh and descending down the chimney to fill children’sstockings with presents derives from the USA.
圣诞节最兴奋的要属孩子了，他们在壁炉边或者床角挂起袜子(一只旧袜子，或者贪心点，一个枕头)，来装圣诞老人的礼物。英国的圣诞老人或者叫SantaClaus最先在1653年被木刻下来，穿着传统的红白服饰，但是关于圣诞老人坐驯鹿拉的雪撬来，并且下到烟囱里给孩子送礼物的故事却是来源于美国的。
Practically everyone sits down to a Christmas dinner in the early afternoonof Christmas Day, traditionally roast turkey, but some families prefer goose orroast beef. The turkey is followed by the Christmas pudding, brought to thetable flaming hot. Brandy is poured over the pudding, then lit. After dinner,everyone relaxes by going for a walk, playing games, enjoying their presents orwatching television.
实际上，人人都在圣诞节那天下午早早地坐下吃圣诞晚餐，烤火鸡是传统食物，但有些家庭更喜欢鹅或者烤牛肉。在圣诞布丁之后上的菜就是热气腾腾的火鸡。白兰地斟在布丁上，然后点燃。晚饭后，所有人都去散散步放松一下，玩玩游戏，赏玩他们的礼物或者看看电视。
～Miss.Q～
1，Preparation of the Christmas cake
烘烤圣诞蛋糕
This was an English tradition which started centuries ago. On Christmas eve, plum porridge was served to the people. As years passed, various other things like dry fruits, honey and spices were used. Soon this porridge got replaced with the Christmas cake. Christmas cakes are made using eggs, butter, confections, fruits, etc. Today a Christmas cake is an integral part of a Christmas menu.
这项英式传统早在几个世纪以前就流传开了，以前人们在平安夜喝梅花粥。随着时间慢慢推移，人们还会享用果脯、蜂蜜及香料食物等，随后圣诞蛋糕便代替梅花粥出现了。圣诞蛋糕由鸡蛋、黄油、甜点、水果等烘制而成。现如今，圣诞蛋糕已成为圣诞菜谱不可或缺的一部分。
2，Decorating the Christmas tree
装扮圣诞树
This refers to the tradition of decorating a pine tree using lights, tinsels, garlands, ornaments, candy canes, etc. Today, a Christmas tree is an indispensable part of Christmas celebration.
这个传统指的是用彩灯、金箔、花环、饰品、糖果条等装扮松树。现如今，圣诞树也是欢庆节日不可或缺的一部分。
3，Lighting up the Christmas candle
点燃圣诞蜡烛
This refers to the tradition of placing a lighted candle outside houses during the Christmas season. A candle signifies hope as it brings light even to the darkest room. In the earlier times, when Christians were persecuted, they were not allowed to practice prayers. Hence, a single candle used to be placed outside the house as a sign that Christian prayers were being conducted inside.
这个传统指的是人们会在圣诞期间在屋子外面放一支点燃的蜡烛。即便在最黑暗的屋子，蜡烛也能带来光明，寓意希望。早些年代，也就是基督徒深受迫害的时候，他们被禁止布道祷告。因此，基督徒们在屋外放一支蜡烛，暗示他们仍在心里默默祷告。
4，Sending gifts to loved ones
给亲友送礼物
This tradition comes from the story of the three wise men who got gifts for baby Jesus on Christmas. Every Christmas, gifts are exchanged among loved ones, especially children. The story of Santa Claus also comes from this tradition.
这个传统源自一个传说：三位智者在圣诞节给婴儿耶稣送出了礼物。每年圣诞节，亲朋好友尤其是孩子们都会互赠礼物，圣诞老人的故事也源自这个传统。
5，Singing Christmas carols
唱圣诞颂歌
It refers to the age-old custom of enchanting a number of traditional Christmas songs during the Christmas season. It adds to the joy and fun to the atmosphere. Different Christmas hymns or carols like The First Noel, Jingle Bells, Joy to the world, etc are sung every Christmas as a part of the Christmas celebration.
这是一个古老的习俗：圣诞期间总是回荡着一首又一首圣诞传统歌曲。歌曲给人们带来欢乐，也增添了节日的气氛。每年欢度圣诞之际，《第一个圣诞节》、《铃儿响叮当》、《普世欢腾》等各种圣诞圣歌或颂歌都会奏响旋律。
6，Making of Cribs
制作圣诞马槽
This is yet another age-old tradition of Christmas. A crib refers to the Nativity Scene that is prepared using small statues. The first crib ever was made outside a church of St. Francis of Assisi for children to show them how the Nativity scene was like. Since then, this tradition became very popular.
这也是一个古老的圣诞习俗。人们用小雕像和马槽营造耶稣诞生的场景。第一个马槽建在圣法兰西斯一所教堂外面，意在向孩子们展示耶稣诞生的场景。从那以后这个习俗便一直流传了下来。
7，Distributing Christmas candies
分发圣诞糖果
This is one of the most wonderful traditions of all. Christmas candies are distributed to neighbors during the Yuletide season. On the day of Christmas, all misunderstandings7 and grudges are forgotten and the community comes together to celebrate the birth of Christ.
这是所有传统中最有趣的一个。圣诞季人们向邻居们分发圣诞糖果;圣诞节那天，所有误会与仇恨统统化解，邻里之间团结一致共同庆祝耶稣的诞生。
karenhoney
一、英国
British people pay most attention to eating at Christmas, including roast pigs, turkey, Christmas pudding, Christmas minced meat pie and so on.
Every family has gifts, and every servant has gifts. All gifts are sent on Christmas morning. Some Christmas singers sing good news door by door.
They will be invited into the house by their owners, entertained with tea, or give small gifts.
英国人在圣诞节是最注重吃的，食品中包括烧猪、火鸡、圣诞布丁、圣诞碎肉饼等。
每一个家人都有礼物，仆人也有份，所有的礼物是在圣诞节的早晨派送。有的唱圣诞歌者沿门逐户唱歌报佳音。
他们会被主人请进屋内，用茶点招待，或者赠小礼物。
二、美国
Because the United States is a country of many nationalities, the situation of Americans celebrating Christmas is also the most complex.
Immigrants from all countries still follow the customs of their motherland. But at Christmas, Americans wear garlands outside their doors and other fancy decorations are the same.
因为美国是由许多民族组成的国家，所以美国人庆祝圣诞的情形也最为复杂。
从各国来的移民仍多依照他们祖国的风俗。不过，在圣诞时期，美国人的门外挂着花环以及其它别致的布置则是一样的。
三、法国
The average adult in France almost goes to church to attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve. After that, the family went to the home of the oldest married brother or sister to have dinner together.
This gathering discussed important family matters, but in case of family disharmony, and since then the former suspicions have been cleared up, everyone wants to be as good as ever, so Christmas is a kind day in France.
法国的一般成年人，在圣诞前夕差不多都要到教会参加子夜弥撒。在完毕后，家人同去最年老的已婚的哥哥或姊姊的家里，团聚吃饭。
这个集会，讨论家中要事，但遇有家人不和睦的，在此后也前嫌冰释，大家要和好如初了，所以圣诞在法国是一个仁慈的日子。
四、西班牙
Spanish children put their shoes outside the door or window to receive Christmas gifts. In many cities there are gifts for the most beautiful children.
Cattle were also well treated that day. It is said that when Jesus was born, a cow breathed at him to warm him.
西班牙的儿童会放鞋子在门外或窗外，接收圣诞礼物。在许多城市里有礼物给最美丽的子女。
牛在那天也能得到很好的待遇。据说在耶稣诞生时，曾有一头牛向他吐气来使到他得到温暖。
五、德国
Every Jesuit family in Germany has a Christmas tree, the first one in Germany.Germans are very particular about making Christmas cakes. T
here are many styles of cakes. They are presented to relatives and friends.
德国的每一信奉耶稣教的家庭，都有一株圣诞树，圣诞树是在德国最先有的。德国人对于制圣诞节饼是很讲究的。
饼有很多款式，在亲友之间，彼此均有赠送。
参考资料 百度百科-圣诞节
大庆张总
装扮圣诞树的习俗来源于德国，是由一些常青树砍伐而成，常常使用的是杉树、松树等枝叶呈塔状的树。
The custom of dressing up the Christmas tree comes from Germany. It is cut down by some evergreen trees. Fir, pine and other trees with tower shaped branches and leaves are often used.
一般会在树上装饰金银条带、拐杖、苹果、小礼品等。
The trees are usually decorated with gold and silver strips, crutches, apples and small gifts.
苹果象征着伊甸园丰富的物产，礼品象征着东方博士向耶稣献礼，圣诞树上的手杖，是牧羊人的手杖。
The apple symbolizes the rich products of Eden, the gift symbolizes Dr. Oriental's gift to Jesus, and the walking stick on the Christmas tree is the shepherd's walking stick.
圣诞树上的银色彩带象征着圣洁，金色的彩带象征荣耀。蝴蝶结象征这把人和神紧紧地连在一起，神永远爱着世人。
The silver ribbon on the Christmas tree symbolizes holiness, and the gold ribbon symbolizes glory. The bow symbolizes the close connection between man and God. God loves the world forever.
圣诞节期间总是会回荡着一些传统的圣诞歌曲，给圣诞节增添氛围，欢乐的歌曲回荡在大街小巷。
During Christmas, there are always some traditional Christmas songs, which add atmosphere to Christmas. Happy songs echo in the streets.
每年圣诞节的时候，亲朋好友都会互赠礼品。
Every year at Christmas, friends and relatives give gifts to each other.
外国人在圣诞节这一天会寄送圣诞卡片，以表现对于远方亲友的思念。
Foreigners send Christmas cards on Christmas day to show their yearning for distant relatives and friends.
肥肥来了啊
Night of the Christmas, the people gather round the Christmas tree to sing dance, is heartily happy.圣诞之夜，人们围着圣诞树唱歌跳舞，尽情欢乐。
西尔米奥奈
圣诞节的由来：
从前有一个老人，名叫尼古拉斯，他一生最爱帮助贫穷的人家。其中有一次他帮助三个贫穷的少后送他们三袋金子以逃过被卖的不幸。当尼古拉斯偷偷把其中一袋金子送给其中一名女子时，他把金子从其中一个窗户扔进去，恰好掉进景在壁上的一长袜中。于是，将礼物放在圣诞袜子的送礼方法家挨户地去要糖果哟！
据说平安夜的晚上，圣诞节老公公会驾着驯鹿雪橇满载着礼物准备送点这一年来表现很好的小朋友，他会悄悄地从烟囱爬进屋内，礼物塞在挂在床头的袜子里。所以孩子总会把一条条色彩缤纷的袜子挂在床头，并在袜子旁边放杯热牛奶给劳苦功高的圣诞老人解渴，并送份大礼给自己。隔天每一个小朋友都迫不及待地打开礼，想知道自己得到什么奖励。
到了1822年，一位荷兰传教士把这位伟大慈善家的故事传到美国之后，美国商人更以特殊的行销手法，每年利用这个节日大张旗鼓地宣传广告，大赚一笔，在亚洲的日本及其它各国也群起效尤。因此装扮圣诞老人来庆祝圣诞节的风俗习惯也就渐渐地流行到世界各国了。
美酱老师
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Christmas combines the celebration of Jesus' birth with various other traditions and customs, many of which were influenced by ancient winter festivals such as Yule and Saturnalia. Christmas traditions include the display of Nativity scenes and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Father Christmas (Santa Claus) on Christmas Eve. Popular Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill, giving, compassion, and quality family time. 圣诞节是一个年度假期，标志着拿撒勒的耶稣的诞生。圣诞结合了耶稣与其他各种传统和习俗，其中许多人，如圣诞节和农神节的影响古代冬天出生的庆祝活动。圣诞传统包括圣诞场景和圣诞树，显示卡的礼物和交流，以及圣诞老人（圣诞老人）圣诞节前夕的到来。圣诞热门的主题包括善意，给予，同情，家庭的时间和质量。
