Russians celebrate Orthodox Christmas on January 7, but unfortunately it is not main holiday.
Main Holiday in Russia is New Year. Government agencies and banks and factories don’t work 11 (eleven!) days, from Dec, 31 to Jan, 10.

Italy have Christmas, but this year the city is slow illuminated and decorated ( the excuse is the economy ). Today the snow have covered most of the street so i will be back to home to 2 hours for 10km XD
At home i’ve just make a decorated tree :) but there isn’t candy and cookies there is only a big dinner and lunch in the day 24 25 26!

stuk, about snow… see my photos [twitpic.com] on twitpic.com

hehe Vas but you live in Russia! In Italy is diffent :P
About Russia i have buy a busby cap because the winter make me some headache, and i love this _
But isn’t a very Russian busby :(

Vass wrote:

stuk, about snow… see my photos [twitpic.com] on twitpic.com

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 [twitpic.com]

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

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.

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

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…

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.

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.

My modest X-mas tree

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

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

link [img35.imageshack.us]

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