FATHER CHRISTMAS ABROAD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1924, Page 10 (Supplement)

FATHER CHRISTMAS ABROAD.

CELEBRATING HIS VISIT IN FOREIGN LANDS.

The most delightful land in which to spend Christmas is Scandinavia, where the folk of all ages and social distinctions club together to have a real good time. One of their quaint Yuletide customs is to collect all the shoes of every member of the household and stand them in a row to typify that for the next twelve months <the family will be united and at peace. Another curious custom is for every man, woman and child to have a bath on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. They may have had their usual morning tub, or their last bath may have been on the preceding Christmas Eve; anyhow the bath is an established part of the Yuletide ritual. On the evening of December 24, candles are placed in all the windows of the houses and left burning all night in order that Kristine (Father Christmas) may see where to bring his gifts. Of course, there are all kinds of special foods prepared for so great an occasion. The birds have their dinner in the form of a sheaf of wheat, which is tied to a pole in front of the house, and in many country places it is customary for the housewife to prepare a tray of food and to place this outside, where any passer-by in need of refreshment can take it.

Instead of our carol singing flic boys and girls dress in white and visit the houses, carrying with them a glass box containing two dolls dressed to represent the Virgin and Child. They recite appropriate poems and naturally receive appropriate recompense. Open house is the order of the days of festival, and the Scandinavian housewife has to lay. In a goodly store of refreshments for her many visitors.