Christmas in other countries

The Tilbury Primary School news crew – that's Jack, Jason, Jessica, Reece, Rickie and Ryan – have been finding out how people from other countries celebrate Christmas. They interviewed their fellow pupil Mohammed, from Iraq, who will be celebrating Christmas in England for the first time this year. He said people in Iraq travel to the city at Christmas, where there is a big fun fair. They meet up with family and friends, go to restaurants and eat kebabs. They also decorate their houses with a large tree with a star on the top and hang photographs of their family and friends on the branches.

New Year Quiz – just for fun

When do Chinese people celebrate their New Year? a) On January 1st b) At the second new moon after the Winter solstice c) On the 11th day of the 11th month At Hogmanay in Scotland there is a ceremony called 'Creaming of the Well'. The person who drinks from the well will ...? a) Find someone to marry b) Find some money c) Find some good luck How do the people of Ecuador, South America, get rid of their faults for the New Year? a) They write them on paper and bury them b) They have a long bath c) They make a straw man and burn it On the morning of the Vietnamese New Year (called "Tet") what are children not allowed to do? a) Laugh b) Cry c) Sing What happens shortly before midnight on New Year's Eve in Japan? a) Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times b) Buddhist temples wash their steps c) Buddhist temples light their candles In Greece, children leave their shoes by the fireside on New Year's Day so that St. Basil will ...? a) Fill them with presents b) Fill them with sweets c) Fill them with socks The Jewish New Year is called ...? a) Chanukah b) Yom Kippur c) Rosh Hashanah Answers 1b, 2a, 3c, 4b, 5a, 6a, 7c

Christmas dinner in other countries

The news crew found out what people in other countries eat at Christmas, and they didn't like the sound of some of the things. What about you? In Portugal – salted cod-fish with boiled potatoes is eaten at midnight on Christmas Eve. In Sweden – ham, herring and brown beans. In Brazil – chicken, turkey, ham, rice salad, pork and fresh and dried fruits. In Latvia – brown peas with bacon sauce, small pies, cabbage and sausage. In Romania – stuffed cabbage. In Madagascar – chicken or pork with rice followed by a special cake. Lychees are also very popular.

Winners

We asked you to draw a picture of a spooky train. Well done to all who entered. The winners are Eleanor (7) and Emily (8) who will receive their prizes soon.

Competition

To enter this month's competition you need to draw a Christmas picture. Send your A4 entries marked 'Christmas Competition', together with your name, address and age to: Hull Children's Fund, Municipal Buildings, Trippett Street, Hull HU2 8AA. Please send in your entries by January 31st. The winning entry/ies will receive a prize.