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Every Christmas, my grandmother made each grandchild two
ornaments. They were styrofoam and were covered with
sequins which were fastened on with pins and glue.
The foam was in the shape of a wreath of a rocking
horse or some other item. To add a special touch,
often eyes were added and lace was added to dress
up the ornaments. Today, our Christmas tree has
nothing but homemade ornaments on it.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

Date learned: 01-00-1976

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On Christmas Eve, we sing Menybol az Angyal, a Hungarian
religious song that announces the arrival of the Christmas Tree
brought by the angels.

Submitter comment: My mother learned this from her mother in the 1940's

Where learned: HUNGARY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree
BELIEF -- Angel

Date learned: 00001940S

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It is tradition in a German community to collect the Christmas
trees. There was one location in which people took their trees to
build one huge pile. Later, a toy witch was placed on top of the
pile and at a celebration at the beginning of February the pile of
trees was set on fire. The burning of the Christmas trees
symbolized the burning out of winter along with evil symbolized by
the witch. The Germans celebrated with music and dancing by the
large fire. You could see from the upper balcony of the apartment
building the fires of the other communities.

Where learned: WEST GERMANY ; Neu Ulm

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

Date learned: 01-00-1986

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EVERY CHRISTMAS THE SYMONS FAMILY STRING POPCORN AND
CRANBERRIES ON THEIR CHRISTMAS TREE ALONG WITH THE
OTHER ORNAMENTS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER PARENTS.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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THE VIKINGS HAD A YULE SEASON IN WHICH THEY DECORATED
THEIR HOUSES WITH GREENS FROM FIR TREES. THIS EVENTUALLY
BECAME THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AND THE GREEN USED FOR
DECORATIONS EVOLVED INTO USING THE WHOLE TREE.

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

Date learned: 11-11-1968

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DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

Submitter comment: FAMILY PRACTICE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

Date learned: 11-14-1967

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YUGOSLAVIAN CHRISTMAS TRADITION

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE FATHER GOES OUT TO THE FOREST TO
GET A CHRISTMAS TREE, BUT THE TREE IS NOT LIKE OURS. THE
CHILDREN NEVER KNOW THE FATHER GETS THE TREE UNTIL THEY
ARE AROUND TEN YEARS OLD. EVERYTHING IS VERY SPECIAL.
THE TABLE IS SET ACCORDING TO TRADITION. THERE ARE APPLES,
NUTS, AND DRIED FRUIT IN ONE PLATE, SOME RICE IN A LITTLE
CUP, AND IN ANOTHER LITTLE CUP THERE IS HONEY. ALL OF THIS
HAS A SYMBOLIC MEANING, BUT THE PERSON TELLING ME DID NOT
KNOW EXACTLY WHAT EACH MEANT.
THERE IS STRAW AROUND THE PLATE AND ON THE ENTIRE TABLE.
THIS SYMBOLIZES THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD. CANDLES
ARE LIT AND PUT ON THE TABLE. THE FATHER STANDS UP AND
TAKES A HANDFUL OF STRAW, STANDING AT THE HEAD OF THE
LINE. THE MOTHER IS NEXT IN LINE AND FOLLOWING ARE ALL
THE CHILDREN ACCORDING TO THEIR AGES, ALL IN A STRAIGHT
LINE. ALL THE FAMILY, WITH THE FATHER AT THE HEAD, WALK
FIRST AROUND THE TABLE, THEN AROUND THE HOUSE. THE FATHER
THEN PUTS THE STRAW ON THE FLOOR WITH EACH PERSON IN THE
FAMILY TAKING THE CHARACTERISTIC OF AN ANIMAL. THE FATHER
IS THE ROOSTER, THE MOTHER IS THE HEN, AND THE CHILDREN ARE
THE CHICKS. THEY EACH IMITATE THE SOUND OF THE ANIMAL THEY
ASSUMED. THE FATHER HAS FOUR NUTS IN HIS HAND. HE CROSSES
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY GHOST. WITH
THESE FOUR NUTS, HE THROWS ONE INTO A DIFFERENT CORNER OF
THE HOUSE, SYMBOLIZING THE NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, AND WEST.
THEN HE WISHES EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
THEY THEN SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE AND EAT A SPECIAL MEAL WHICH
CONSISTS OF MACARONI AND NUTS, SUGAR AND FISH. THAT ENDS
CHRISTMAS EVE.
IN THE EARLY MORNING POLAZAJNIK COMES. HE IS VERY COLD.
HE BRINGS PIECES OF THE SAME TREE THAT FATHER HAD CHOPPED,
THAT'S WHY THE CHILDREN DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE FATHER GOT THE
TREE. HE THEN THROWS THESE BRANCHES IN THE FIRE. AS MANY
SPARKS COME OUT, SO MANY HAPPINESS IN THE HOUSE, WHETHER
IT BE OF HEALTH, MONEY, CHILDREN, OR ANYTHING THE FAMILY
DESIRES. HE THEN WISHES A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO THE ENTIRE
FAMILY. THE FAMILY THEN GIVES HIM A GIFT, USUALLY A WHITE
SHIRT AND A TIE, WITH STOCKINGS. THE MAN THEN USUALLY
EATS WITH THE FAMILY. THE FOOD THEY EAT IS EGG BREAD AND
COFFEE. THE POLAZAJNIK COMES BECAUSE THE FAMILY ARRANGED
TO HAVE HIM COME, SOMETHING LIKE OUR SANTA CLAUS.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY, THE HUSBAND AND THE SONS GO OUT AND
VISIT OTHER FAMILIES. THUS THE MEN ARE OUT VISITING WHILE
THE WIVES AND DAUGHTERS STAY HOME TO GREET THE MEN THAT
COME TO THEIR HOUSE. THIS IS JUST ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE
FEAST. THERE ARE THREE DAYS. ON THE SECOND DAY, THE
ENTIRE FAMILY STAYS TOGETHER. ON THE THIRD DAY, THEY
USUALLY HAVE PARTIES FOR THE CHILDREN.

Submitter comment: SHE WAS BROUGHT UP WITH THIS TRADITION. TODAY, HOWEVER,
CHRISTMAS IS QUITE SIMILAR TO OURS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree
Food Drink -- Food

Date learned: 09-17-1967

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EVERY CHRISTMAS THE SYMONS FAMILY STRING POPCORN AND
CRANBERRIES ON THEIR CHRISTMAS TREE ALONG WITH THE
OTHER ORNAMENTS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER PARENTS.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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THE VIKINGS HAD A YULE SEASON IN WHICH THEY DECORATED
THEIR HOUSES WITH GREENS FROM FIR TREES. THIS EVENTUALLY
BECAME THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AND THE GREEN USED FOR
DECORATIONS EVOLVED INTO USING THE WHOLE TREE.

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

Date learned: 11-11-1968

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TREE PRESERVATION

MY FATHER RELATED TO ME HOW, AT CHRISTMAS TIME, IT IS
NECESSARY TO PUT SUGAR IN THE WATER THAT IS PLACED
IN THE CHRISTMAS TREE STAND. THIS HELPS KEEP THE
TREE GREEN.

Submitter comment: HE COULD NOT REMEMBER WHERE HE HEARD THIS.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; PEORIA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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CHRISTMAS TRADITION

ALONG WITH THE USUAL ORNAMENTS, THIS FAMILY HANGS PAPER CHAINS
THAT THE CHILDREN HAVE MADE ON THE TREE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER PARENTS

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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CHRISTMAS TRADITION

SINCE SHE WAS A CHILD, THEY ALWAYS PUT AN ANGEL ON
TOP OF THEIR CHRISTMAS TREE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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A CHRISTMAS TREE BULB (ORNAMENT) WAS GIVEN TO EACH
OF MY GRANDMOTHER'S CHILDREN WHEN THEY WERE
MARRIED--IT HAD HUNG ON THE TREE SINCE THE
CHILD HAD BEEN BORN.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas

Date learned: 11-29-1967

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BEFORE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, PEOPLE CUT DOWN EVERGREEN
TREES AND STAND THEM UP IN THEIR LIVING ROOMS
BY MEANS OF SUPPORTS. THEY THEN DECORATE THESE
TREES WITH MULTI-COLORED BUBLS, LIGHTS, TINSEL,
ORNAMENTS OF ALL SORTS, STRINGED POPCORN, ETC.
THEY USUALLY LEAVE THEM UP TILL AFTER NEW YEAR'S
DAY.

Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS FROM HOME.

Where learned: OHIO ; CANTON

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

Date learned: 12-01-1967

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CHRISTMAS GAME

THE GAME IS CALLED "I'M THINKING OF A BULB."
IN ORDER TO PLAY, ONE PERSON HAS TO BE CHOSEN TO GO
FIRST. THIS LEADER THEN SAYS, "I'M THINKING OF A
BULB" AND DESCRIBES A CERTAIN BULB FOUND ON THE
CHRISTMAS TREE. IN TURN ALL THE OTHER PLAYERS
START TO GUESS WHICH BULB IT IS. THE PERSON WHO
GUESSES THE BULB THEN BECOMES THE LEADER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

Date learned: 01-24-1971

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IF YOU KEEP YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE TRUNK BEHIND
YOUR FRONT DOOR FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR, YOU WILL HAVE
GOOD LUCK.--SPANISH.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree
BELIEF -- Good luck Plants

Date learned: 02-22-1972

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IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE DOWN BY NEW YEAR'S DAY
BAD LUCK WILL COME.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY CAFE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree
BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event

Date learned: 03-02-1969

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IF YOU DREAM ABOUT CHRISTMAS TIME, ESPECIALLY A PRETTY TREE
ALL LIT UP, A NEW BABY IS EXPECTED BY A RELATIVE OR FRIEND.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; TENNESSEE RIDGE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Dreams

Date learned: 08-09-1968

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