Merry Christmas from Albania and Argentina | Filed under General
Wish we could be together
Thinking of you
Makes the miles disappear,
Together we’re looking at bright decorations,
Enjoying what we like to do,
Thinking of you makes the miles disappear~
For you’re missed very much
All year through…
So just because you’re
Far away, don’t think
For a moment that you’re forgotten.
I’m thinking about you because loving thoughts travel far,
And wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year
Full of wonderful things.
Wish we could be together
Welcome, pull up a seat set a spell with me, Ms. Vickie the Southern Bell for a glimpse of how Christmas is celebrated in Albania and Argentina.
Albanians respect family values very much. So whenever they decide to celebrate, they do it together with their entire family. Albania has a mix of Christian and Moslem population.
Although New Year’s Eve is the most celebrated day, Christmas is very well celebrated, as well. The tradition of gift giving is maintained on the New Year’s Eve for a long time. Feasting takes a prominent place during the Christmas. Almost all Christian families go for special cooking for their Xmas meal or dinner. There’s the turkey, stuffing, and different side dishes. And desert takes a special place. Albanians call it “bakllava” which here in America is known as “baklavash.” It’s like a pie, but far more complicated. Yet it’s delicious. Albanians also have their big and nicely decorated Christmas tree, in the center of the capital, Tirana. It is like a small version of the Tree in New York City.
Argentina is a country with many cultural influences. So its Christmas traditions are diverse and is very difficult to generalize. Following are some broad local traditions.
Argentina, has a summer time Christmas unlike that of the United States. Despite this the traditions are quite similar.
People celebrate it with devotion and joy. The tradition of Nativity scene and Xmas tree, gift-giving, banquets and picnics, cakes and champagne, and fireworks at around midnight. “Feliz Navidad” means “Merry Christmas” in Argentina.
People usually select any artificial or live tree to display in home. These trees are decorated with colored lights, ornaments and candles. All Christmas gifts are placed under the tree.
Many set up the Nativity scene, a model of the manger where Jesus Christ was born.
The devout Argentines also attend a Christmas church service, if this is part of their family’s holiday tradition. Many plan a barbecue or picnic as their Christmas meal to take advantage of the pleasant weather.
Along with the special and usual holiday items, cakes topped with sidra are served with dessert. Champagne also finds a key role in Christmas drinks.
Merry Christmas or Gézuar Krishlindjet as it would be said in Albania or Feliz Navidad as you might hear it in Argentina return the next time where you just might find me talking about Australia and Bethlehem. If you have anything to add, please by all means share for this is not my place but our place and I invite you to be a big part here. So pull up a seat, set a spell with Ms. Vickie the Southern Bell and share.
December 1st, 2005 at 5:19 pm
Hey girl, good for you traveling the world for Christmas! have a good day.
December 1st, 2005 at 6:25 pm
After the abuse I got for not commenting on the last one I decided to get over here post-haste.
I’m confused, when I used to run through Albania on I-10 they spelled it different. Wait..never mind.
December 1st, 2005 at 7:52 pm
Thanks for the holiday history lesson.
December 1st, 2005 at 9:57 pm
Cool info!!! I like that they celibrate christmas at the right time for Christs birth in Argentina. People always laugh at me when I say Happy Birthday to Jesus in late July.
Feliz Navidad!!!!!!!!!!
December 1st, 2005 at 10:24 pm
Interesting, thanks Vickie!
December 1st, 2005 at 11:24 pm
I’m all about taking it through Epiphany…the celebration that is
December 1st, 2005 at 11:49 pm
Hi Vickie, Feliz Navidad to you.
I can’t wait for your trip to Australia if you need any help with research let me know.
December 2nd, 2005 at 1:03 am
I love any occassion for a good meal, a few drinks and choclate. Did I mention choclate. did I mention I am a diabetic. HAHAHAHA. Merry Christmas to all and to all may Ms Vickie pour you a mint Julip to die for.
December 2nd, 2005 at 2:04 am
I love learning the traditions of other countries. Thank you, Ms. Vickie.
December 2nd, 2005 at 2:09 am
How wonderful and interesting to share Christmas traditions from around the world. I love this idea, Vickie!
December 2nd, 2005 at 2:36 am
Merry Christmas, Gezuar Krishlindjet, and Feliz Navidad. Thanks for the interesting lesson!
December 2nd, 2005 at 11:42 am
Christmas is one holiday that seems to join the whole world.
December 2nd, 2005 at 12:03 pm
Christmas celebrations through out the world vary but yet they are the same. Past the religous mass family is the main focus.
I have been lucky to celebrate Christmas with many different cultures and different dates. Dec 25th is the most common but Jan 7th is just as common to many Orthodox religions.
But no matter what the date the reason is the same and family is so very present.
Great Post
December 2nd, 2005 at 5:02 pm
Gézuar Krishlindjet! I like that.
December 2nd, 2005 at 6:20 pm
Wonderful cultural history lesson, Vickie.
You mean they’re actually allowed to say CHRISTMAS over there?
December 2nd, 2005 at 8:28 pm
I enjoyed reading about other cultures and the way they celebrate Christmas.
Have a great day! Love & hugs!
December 3rd, 2005 at 5:31 pm
That was very nice sweetie!
hugs!
December 5th, 2005 at 6:31 am
And Feliz Navidad to you Vickie.
December 5th, 2005 at 1:49 pm
Cool read - there are other very interesting places in this world. I have never been to south America, but would love to do so.