Christmas Countdown 2021

Christmas in Iceland  (Jól)

Christmas in Iceland is also called Jól. It starts four Weeks before Christmas, which begins on December 24 also called Aðfangadagur and ends r on January 6.

Traditionally, one candle is lit each Sunday until four candles are lit on the 24th. At 6:00 pm Church bells ring to start the Christmas celebration. The religiously observant and/or traditional Icelanders will attend mass at this time while the secular Icelanders will begin their holiday meal immediately. After the meal is finished, they open gifts and spend the evening together. People eat smoked lamb, ptarnigan and turkey.

Thirteen days before December 24, children will leave their shoes by the window so that the 13 Yule Lads . Yule Lads are the sons of two trolls, Grýla and Leppalúði, living in the Icelandic mountains. Each of the Yule Lads is known for a different kind of mischief (for example slamming doors, stealing meat, stealing milk or eating the candles).

Each home typically sets up a Christmas tree indoors in the living room with most decorating it on December 11. In addition to the decorations, presents are put underneath the tree. It is also a tradition in many homes to boil fish on the 23rd.

The end of year is divided between two days – the Old Year's Day (Gamlársdagur) and the New Year's Day (Nýársdagur).

Reindeer and caribou are the same animal. The are called Reindeer in Europe and Caribou in North America.

In 1998 Gay Byrne was on the Christmas RTE Guide cover.

Christmas Eve programing included The Sound of Music, Carols with Mary Kennedy, Casper, Hey Mr Producer and Mass from Mountjoy Prison on RTE One over on Two Dumbo and Casino were shown.

On Christmas Dayon RTE One Mass was from Killiney, Memories of Hyacinth Bucket, Boyzone, Mr Bean Christmas Special, In Coronation Street Jack and Vera staged a sit in at The Rovers and the Mallets had good news. In Fair City Pascal Dressed up as Santa and the Movie speical was Braveheart.

Over on Two Mary Poppins, Various Comedies such as Father Ted and One Foot in the Grave.

RTE Rang in the New Year with a Concert from the University Concert Hall with Bill Golding.

On New Year's Day films included Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Golden Eye and a concert with Michael Crawford.

In Iran every December 1, Iranian Christians begin a fast. They eat no meat, eggs, milk, or cheese until Christmas Day.

On Christmas Day, they celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth by feasting on a traditional chicken stew called harissa, or on roast turkey. Iranian children celebrating Christmas receive new clothes, but rarely Other gifts.

Jarrod Booth received 205,120 Christmas cards and he holds the Guinness Book of records for it.

In Belarus the time over Christmas and New Year is called 'Kaliady'.

Many of the 'traditions' that most people associate with Christmas are now linked to the New Year celebrations. There are New Year Trees and gifts are often put under the tree and are exchanged/opened on New Year's Eve.

New Year is also when 'Father Frost' brings presents to children. He is often accompanied by his Grandaughter Snegurochka. Some children might also have a visit from Sviaty Mikalaj Santa.

A televised message from the Queen was first shown on Christmas Day in 1957. It has since been broadcast every year except in 1963, when the Queen was pregnant with Prince Edward, and in 1969 when its place was taken by the fly-on-the-wall documentary The Royal Family.

When the Christmas Day Exodus is taking place AA breakdown assist can often experience over 50% demand for their services!

Christmas cake is an English tradition that began as plum porridge. People ate the porridge on Christmas Eve, using it to line their stomachs after a day of fasting. Soon dried fruit, spices and honey were added to the porridge mixture, and eventually it turned into Christmas pudding.

The Muppet Christmas Carol was released on December 11th 1992!

At the International Space Station On 25 December 2016 the crew celebrated Christmas by floating in micro-gravity and opening Christmas presents recently delivered on a Japanese cargo spacecraft.