Introduction All About The Country Point of View Story Weddings Bibliography
You would
think that being two different countries the, U.S. and Austria would
have different Christmas traditions. Really there are not many, except
of course, the language. Most families celebrate Saint Nicholas Day on
December 6th. Last minute shopping is nothing that Austrians have not
heard of. Even though there is a lot of last minute shopping; all the
stores and theaters close early. On Christmas Eve before going
caroling; families go to church. See, there are
not many differences between Austria and U.S. Christmas.
The biggest difference between the U.S. and Austria on Christmas is that Austria has no "Santa." Instead parents teach there children about Kristkindl. The story of Kristkindl is a simple one. Kriskindl is a golden haired baby with wings that symbolizes the new born Christ. The story tells how the Christ child comes down from heaven on Christmas Eve and, with his band of angels, decorates and distributes trees.
They also have similarities such as Weihnachtsbaeckerei and Schokolade und Aprikose Kuchen. Weihnachtsbaeckerei are Christmas cookies, and most families have some sort of Christmas cookies set out for Christmas and Santa. Schokolade und Aprikose Kuchen is Chocolate and Apricot cake, maybe not something most families have it's still food, and every family has some sort of treats at Christmas. Just because someone is not like you or you live far away does not mean you don't do things the same.
The biggest difference between the U.S. and Austria on Christmas is that Austria has no "Santa." Instead parents teach there children about Kristkindl. The story of Kristkindl is a simple one. Kriskindl is a golden haired baby with wings that symbolizes the new born Christ. The story tells how the Christ child comes down from heaven on Christmas Eve and, with his band of angels, decorates and distributes trees.
They also have similarities such as Weihnachtsbaeckerei and Schokolade und Aprikose Kuchen. Weihnachtsbaeckerei are Christmas cookies, and most families have some sort of Christmas cookies set out for Christmas and Santa. Schokolade und Aprikose Kuchen is Chocolate and Apricot cake, maybe not something most families have it's still food, and every family has some sort of treats at Christmas. Just because someone is not like you or you live far away does not mean you don't do things the same.