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Christmas Eve, the night before Christmas, is a very special time of year. Every year, around the world, children are “wide-eyed” in anticipation of all the gifts they will receive tomorrow morning. Did you know that Christmas Eve traditions differ in various countries around the world? Well they do. In this article we will be exploring the traditions of Christmas Eve in various countries around the world.

Santa and his elves have been working all year for this big night. Spanning the globe via sleigh and reindeer can have you working up quite an appetite. Children to the rescue. In both Canada and the United States, children leave some milk and cookies to feed Santa’s ferocious appetite. In Australia and Britain they prefer to leave mince pies and sherry. The children of Sweden want to satisfy Santa’s love of chocolate, so they leave brownies.

Now that Santa has been fed, attention must be turned to the reindeer. After all, who can pull a sleigh full of Christmas presents around the world and not work up a big appetite? Children to the rescue one more time. Kids from Canada, Australia, Britain, and the United States leave a carrot to help give Santa’s reindeer a “bit of a push” as they span the globe. Children who follow the Dutch custom of sinterklass go a bit further. They will leave a carrot and some hay in a shoe. When they wake up the next morning it will be replaced by a gift.

Another tradition that has become popular in the United States is the reading of the book “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clark Moore (or similar tale about Santa Claus). Other families watch a Christmas-related video or television show, like: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas or Frosty the Snowman. Singing Santa Claus songs such as Up on the Housetop, Here Comes Santa Claus, or Santa Claus is Coming to Town are also very popular.

On Christmas Eve, children all around the world will put their stockings on the mantel. They are full of anticipation that St. Nick will soon be here, and will fill their stocking with gifts, candy, and “other goodies”. Next they will look up the chimney to make sure that the “Big Guy” has not arrived yet. They will take a glance out the window to see if they can see a passing sleigh, and then perhaps unlock the front door (just in case Santa has problems getting down the chimney). With all the prep work done, it’s time to go off to bed…

Up til now it seems that children have been doing all the work, but not it’s time for mom and dad to join in on all the action. There are plenty of gifts that need to be placed under the Christmas tree. Many times these gifts will be signed “From Santa” or “Love Santa”.

We hope you liked this little tour of the traditions on the night before Christmas. In future articles we will be examining other aspects of the Christmas tradition. Hope you will join us…

Learn more about Christmas Gift Giving. Stop by Emily Latimer’s site where you can find out all about completing that Christmas List.

Let’s face it – this is a Christmas where budget is a consideration for many of us. But you can still give your friends and family the perfect gift. A copy of Bed and Breakfasts and Country Inns, an award-winning guide with descriptions of more than 1,400 inns and B&Bs, includes a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free certificate.

The certificate is valid at any of the inns in this book, and your loved ones can save up to $300, depending on which inn or bed and breakfast they choose. The guidebook itself, costs only $24.95, which is a huge bargain when you consider that the average savings is more than $140. Here are some of the romantic examples of inns that accept the Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free certificate.

If you want a taste of luxury, try the Cheshire Cat Inn in picturesque Santa Barbara, California. The guest rooms and suites are spread among two restored Victorians located in the town’s charming downtown area, within walking distance to shops and restaurants. Each of the rooms is decorated with Laura Ashley fabrics and fine furnishings; some have a fireplace, Jacuzzi tub or perhaps a balcony or patio. Guests are treated to an expansive continental breakfast each morning, and on weekends, a full, gourmet breakfast is served. Each afternoon, the innkeepers serve local wines and hors d’oeuvres for their guests. The rates run from $199 to $410, but with the Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free certificate, you could save more than $400 off a two-night stay.

If your gift recipient is a history buff, there are hundreds of historic places to choose from in the guidebook. One charming example is the Williamsburg Manor Bed and Breakfast. Located in the popular tourist destination of Williamsburg, Virginia, the inn was built in the 1920s during Colonial Williamsburg’s reconstruction. Each of the rooms has been decorated with fine linens, Oriental rugs and carefully selected antiques. The scrumptious full breakfasts are a highlight of any stay at the Williamsburg Manor, and the inn is just three blocks from the historic village. Rates run from $159 to $179, so you could save nearly $200 with a Free-Night certificate.

Just outside of New York City, you’ll find the Pillars of Plainfield Bed and Breakfast. Located 28 miles from Manhattan in Plainfield, New Jersey, this elegant 1870 inn offers seven distinctive rooms all decorated in period style. There are plenty of thoughtful amenities, such as handmade lemon verbena bath products, fluffy robes, down comforters and fine linens. Multi-course breakfasts include a fruit course, homemade muffins or breads and a special daily entree. The rates run from $125 to $250, depending on room choice.

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