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Back near where I used to live the local convention center had a yearly exposition where you'd tour different areas to see Christmas traditions from various different countries.  They went all-out, complete with creepy Dickensian carolers.

Anywho, I've never been able to decide which country I thought does Christmas the best.  So I picked the what I think are the top several off the top of my head.  What do you think?

:hmm:

Very hard question. Can't really settle on any. Except Russia, Russia is stoopid.

The total and complete triumph of naked, venal capitalism and materialism over a centuries-old religious holiday revered throughout the western world?  Why, America of course.  It's the bestest.

For Russia it should really be New Year, it's a lot closer to American Christmas than Russian Christmas is.  My vote goes for Russia as well:  they get more than a week of holidays around that time to marinate their livers.

Just realized I forgot an "other" option.  Oh well, screw it. 

Btw I found what has to be the best Christmas card ever:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Nvr5Uhc3Qqk%2FTtPEHVGJM8I%2FAAAAAAAABmc%2FWgKmBhcR8-E%2Fs1600%2Fkrampussanta.jpg&hash=c38a606f00f323b151f700fabf8c83f51614f820)

Germany - sexually perverted demons and getting drunk on mulled wine is what the Christmas spirit is all about.

The USA. I've always wanted to spend Christmas in New York, and watch It's A Wonderful Life every year :wub:

And White Christmas. And A Muppet Christmas Carol. And Bad Santa.

Lights on the houses has to be one of the nicest parts of the American Christmas.  I said lights dammit, not gigantic inflatable reindeer.

The one Christmas I spent in Germany made me think it's the most depressing, stressful time of the year there.

Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2012, 12:27:29 PM
Lights on the houses has to be one of the nicest parts of the American Christmas.  I said lights dammit, not gigantic inflatable reindeer.

The one Christmas I spent in Germany made me think it's the most depressing, stressful time of the year there.

:huh:

I've always heard that Germany/Austria was beautiful during the winter holidays.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.europeword.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2FEuropean-Christmas-Germany.jpg&hash=fa4e617c65fa6fb68d6b3d2a9a0f61d954f6df17)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frwapplewannabe.files.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fnuremberg-christmas-market.jpg%3Fw%3D500%26amp%3Bh%3D319&hash=bba9c76a0260116a7024cdbb173cb0e0559c2987)

QuoteNetherlands:  Black Piet, lol

It's not Christmas. :ultra:

Germany.

Christmas around the world, per the old Mexican film "Santa Claus"  :ph34r:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NQ64YNyQCwg#t=191s

Obviously the movie as a whole was better on MST3K, but this part does well enough on its own.

Quote from: derspiess on December 05, 2012, 12:47:05 PM
Christmas around the world, per the old Mexican film "Santa Claus"  :ph34r:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NQ64YNyQCwg#t=191s

Obviously the movie as a whole was better on MST3K, but this part does well enough on its own.

And the MST3K version, which is still apparently on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=iXKOF6rntUg#t=567s

Voted for ourselves and the great tradition of dragging the holidays until early January.

Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2012, 01:07:17 PM
Voted for ourselves and the great tradition of dragging the holidays until early January.

There's something to that.  I always thought Christmas ended too abruptly.

Quote from: derspiess on December 05, 2012, 01:09:13 PM

Quote from: The Larch on December 05, 2012, 01:07:17 PM
Voted for ourselves and the great tradition of dragging the holidays until early January.

There's something to that.  I always thought Christmas ended too abruptly.

Yeah, but for instance getting the presents so late makes for a somehow lame holiday season when you're a kid. What's the point of getting new stuff if you have to go back to school in a couple of days? Better to get them earlier and gorge yourself for a couple of weeks.

Quote from: Martinus on December 05, 2012, 11:58:19 AM
Germany - sexually perverted demons and getting drunk on mulled wine is what the Christmas spirit is all about.

Can't beat the Krampus. He beats you.  :P

Quote from: merithyn on December 05, 2012, 12:36:17 PM

Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2012, 12:27:29 PM
Lights on the houses has to be one of the nicest parts of the American Christmas.  I said lights dammit, not gigantic inflatable reindeer.

The one Christmas I spent in Germany made me think it's the most depressing, stressful time of the year there.

:huh:

I've always heard that Germany/Austria was beautiful during the winter holidays.

These two statements are not mutually exclusive.

Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2012, 03:32:26 PM

Quote from: merithyn on December 05, 2012, 12:36:17 PM

Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2012, 12:27:29 PM
Lights on the houses has to be one of the nicest parts of the American Christmas.  I said lights dammit, not gigantic inflatable reindeer.

The one Christmas I spent in Germany made me think it's the most depressing, stressful time of the year there.

:huh:

I've always heard that Germany/Austria was beautiful during the winter holidays.

These two statements are not mutually exclusive.

Please elaborate.  I hear a lot about how awesome most towns in Germany are during the Christmas season but this is the first time I'm hearing how Germans get particularly stressed or depressed around that time of year.  I guess I just assumed they were extra jolly & festive around that time.

Quote from: derspiess on December 05, 2012, 03:39:15 PM

Please elaborate.  I hear a lot about how awesome most towns in Germany are during the Christmas season but this is the first time I'm hearing how Germans get particularly stressed or depressed around that time of year.  I guess I just assumed they were extra jolly & festive around that time.

Keep in mind my sample size was very small.

I visited a half Korean/half German girl I had met at Korean language school in Seoul.  I was on break from French language school in Aix-en-Provence, in, duh, Provence.  She lived in Tubingen, which is an affluent college town not far from Munich.

I was expecting more or less what you described.  What I got instead was people getting freaked out and cranky.  My friend told me stories of buddies who hated Christmas so much they slept at the old folks' home they were doing their national service at.

Don't quote me on it, but I think our resident Kraut's have vouched for my impression.

Yes, the decorations were lovely, but the people seemed miserable.

I can do without the fruitcake in the mail.

Quote from: Ed Anger on December 05, 2012, 04:20:49 PM
I can do without the fruitcake in the mail.

I've still never seen a fruitcake firsthand.  Always thought they were sort of an urban legend.  Something you always joked about but nobody actually does it anymore.

I always assumed Munich was the place to be too.

Quote from: derspiess on December 05, 2012, 04:22:53 PM

Quote from: Ed Anger on December 05, 2012, 04:20:49 PM
I can do without the fruitcake in the mail.

I've still never seen a fruitcake firsthand.  Always thought they were sort of an urban legend.  Something you always joked about but nobody actually does it anymore.

My wife's relatives are Southern Indiana folk. You better send them a retaliatory reciprocal fruitcake and Christmas card. OR ELSE.

I think I'm going to make a fruitcake this year. :)

Quote from: merithyn on December 05, 2012, 04:54:37 PM
I think I'm going to make a fruitcake this year. :)

I thought your tubes were tied.

HAHAHAHAHA.

Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2012, 05:02:36 PM

Quote from: merithyn on December 05, 2012, 04:54:37 PM
I think I'm going to make a fruitcake this year. :)

I thought your tubes were tied.

HAHAHAHAHA.

They were not! :mad:

They were completely removed. The doctor wanted no chance of me making more fruitcakes. :blush:

Quote from: Martinus on December 05, 2012, 11:58:19 AM
Germany - sexually perverted demons and getting drunk on mulled wine is what the Christmas spirit is all about.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2Fa%2Fa8%2FKrampus-Postkarte_um_1900.jpg%2F220px-Krampus-Postkarte_um_1900.jpg&hash=6badf28c368774f30b37ef78189e05647e6f9396)

Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on December 05, 2012, 06:20:42 PM

Quote from: Martinus on December 05, 2012, 11:58:19 AM
Germany - sexually perverted demons and getting drunk on mulled wine is what the Christmas spirit is all about.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2Fa%2Fa8%2FKrampus-Postkarte_um_1900.jpg%2F220px-Krampus-Postkarte_um_1900.jpg&hash=6badf28c368774f30b37ef78189e05647e6f9396)

Bad enough that Krampus exists as a custom - but for what reason would anyone give a "Krampus card"?  :hmm:

Quote from: Malthus on December 05, 2012, 06:41:20 PM
Bad enough that Krampus exists as a custom - but for what reason would anyone give a "Krampus card"?  :hmm:

Same reason so many other Christmas traditions exist-- to scare the kids into being good.

Quote from: DGuller on December 05, 2012, 11:54:31 AM
For Russia it should really be New Year, it's a lot closer to American Christmas than Russian Christmas is.  My vote goes for Russia as well:  they get more than a week of holidays around that time to marinate their livers.

Not to mention, they give their Santa a hot babe sidekick.  :P

Quote from: derspiess on December 05, 2012, 07:00:47 PM

Quote from: Malthus on December 05, 2012, 06:41:20 PM
Bad enough that Krampus exists as a custom - but for what reason would anyone give a "Krampus card"?  :hmm:

Same reason so many other Christmas traditions exist-- to scare the kids into being good.

Yeah, I get that's the reason behind Krampus. What I don't get is - why a postcard? One doesn't usually send young children postcards.

Quote from: Tonitrus on December 05, 2012, 07:07:06 PM

Quote from: DGuller on December 05, 2012, 11:54:31 AM
For Russia it should really be New Year, it's a lot closer to American Christmas than Russian Christmas is.  My vote goes for Russia as well:  they get more than a week of holidays around that time to marinate their livers.

Not to mention, they give their Santa a hot babe sidekick.  :P

Tell me more.

Quote from: Malthus on December 05, 2012, 07:07:35 PM

Quote from: derspiess on December 05, 2012, 07:00:47 PM

Quote from: Malthus on December 05, 2012, 06:41:20 PM
Bad enough that Krampus exists as a custom - but for what reason would anyone give a "Krampus card"?  :hmm:

Same reason so many other Christmas traditions exist-- to scare the kids into being good.

Yeah, I get that's the reason behind Krampus. What I don't get is - why a postcard? One doesn't usually send young children postcards.

Well, then maybe it's for adults to get more laughs at their kids' expense :D

Quote from: Malthus on December 05, 2012, 07:08:01 PM

Quote from: Tonitrus on December 05, 2012, 07:07:06 PM

Quote from: DGuller on December 05, 2012, 11:54:31 AM
For Russia it should really be New Year, it's a lot closer to American Christmas than Russian Christmas is.  My vote goes for Russia as well:  they get more than a week of holidays around that time to marinate their livers.

Not to mention, they give their Santa a hot babe sidekick.  :P

Tell me more.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fthesocietypages.org%2Fsocimages%2Ffiles%2F2009%2F12%2Fdede-moroz-and-snegurochka.jpg&hash=9c64b2a7ed6b9c2e9ee6cc637c78ff04c696f5cd)

Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2012, 03:46:36 PMYes, the decorations were lovely, but the people seemed miserable.

Well, they are German :mellow:

Quote from: Tonitrus on December 05, 2012, 07:22:22 PM

Quote from: Malthus on December 05, 2012, 07:08:01 PM

Quote from: Tonitrus on December 05, 2012, 07:07:06 PM

Quote from: DGuller on December 05, 2012, 11:54:31 AM
For Russia it should really be New Year, it's a lot closer to American Christmas than Russian Christmas is.  My vote goes for Russia as well:  they get more than a week of holidays around that time to marinate their livers.

Not to mention, they give their Santa a hot babe sidekick.  :P

Tell me more.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fthesocietypages.org%2Fsocimages%2Ffiles%2F2009%2F12%2Fdede-moroz-and-snegurochka.jpg&hash=9c64b2a7ed6b9c2e9ee6cc637c78ff04c696f5cd)

Youza.

Heh did an image search of "Snegurochka". You weren't joking.  :D

Russian Christmas just moved ahead of German ... I guess I'll take "hot snow babe" over "pedophile S&M demon" any day.    ;)

The great thing about Vienna in Xmas time: lots of great christmas markets.

The bad thing about Vienna in Xmas time: lots of tourists from abroad and proles from the Austrian countryside clogging public transport and getting shitfaced at christmas markets.

Nothing you can't handle with punch and glühwein, though. :P

I did some research about Austria during WWI and man were those people in Vienna committed to Christmas.  Despite practically slave hours in the armaments factories, massive casualties, privations to the point of starvation, social unrest, and all the other joys of being in the middle of a nation in its dying days...they would rally and do all the Christmas stuff every year.  I couldn't decide if it was admirable or pathetic but they were hard core making it look as if everything was as it always was, though their ersatz ways of making the traditional Christmas stuff sounded pretty vile.

So I just have to vote for them.  That was some commitment to Christmas cheer.

I take your paedophile S&M Demon and raise to a kiddie eating cat.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.grapevine.is%2Fmedia%2Fw490%2F191bc13dcfd4765b.jpg&hash=f35f47b46fd65bbefe98d1bee8850f395d92d673)

http://www.grapevine.is/Author/ReadArticle/the-christmas-cat

Quote"We've got this database of monsters and creatures in our past. These stories are fascinating, it's a shame that they're not used more in modern culture," remarked comic artist Hugleikur Dagsson in an interview this summer. The Grapevine promptly drafted Dagsson to illustrate a series of articles on these monsters of yore. For this ninth instalment in the series Dagsson depicts one of Iceland's creepiest critters and the reason we sport cool new threads during the holidays; Jólakötturinn, the Christmas Cat.
    Jólakötturinn is a lovable, wholly unholy beast, a sort of proto-fashion police whose impeccable sense of style, in your face attitude and lack of respect for human life terrified Icelanders into stylistic submission in ways that today's anorexia-inducing Vogues and Cosmopolitans can only dream of. The ginormous cat's sole purpose in life is to eat children (and adults, some say) that do not get a new piece of clothing before Christmas. Yes, it devours financially disadvantaged children.This is the kind of message Icelanders like to send out in their folklore: if you do not have the money or means of acquiring new items of clothing before the festival of lights, you will be eaten by a gigantic cat. This is one of the reasons that Icelanders clock in more hours of overtime at their jobs than most European nations: to avoid the cat, we stayed up sewing or knitting in the olden days, and we stayed up graphic designing or stock-brokering in early 2008.
    Some versions of the Jólakötturinn story actually claim he did no such thing as eat kids, opting rather to steal all their food and holiday treats instead. While its a far cry better than chewing them to a bloody pulp and devouring their tasty flesh, its still real mean of him. Not much is known about Jólakötturinn's origins, in fact a famous poem about him ny Iceland's beloved bard Jóhannes úr Kötlum accurately proclaimed that "no one knows where he's from or where he goes".
    Although he is believed to have terrified Icelanders since the dark ages, written records detailing the murderous feline and its children-eating ways only go back to the nineteenth century. He is thought to be the house-cat of the evil troll Grýla (she also liked the taste of children – more on her in next issue), her troll husband Leppalúði and the non-trollish thirteen mischief-making Yule-lads in a cave somewhere up in the mountains. As far as we know, Jólakötturinn and his evil, biting teeth are still at large. Merry Christmas, everybody!

Basically any kid who doesn't behave well enough to get given presents is eaten by the christmas cat.

christmas cat? icelanders are just lazy if that's the best they got.

Aren't they thecountry where like 25% of the people believe in gnomes? you'd think they'd come up with something better

Never heard of this Krampus before.

I saw Patrick Stewart play Scrooge in a play once. He was absolutely epic.

Voted Britain/Dickens

Sweden has glog. And those lovely ginger thingies I can't remember the name of. Which is awesome.

Quote from: syk on December 06, 2012, 01:24:04 AM
Never heard of this Krampus before.

It's an Austrian thing. Yesterday was Krampus day, today is Nikolo.

Quote from: HVC on December 06, 2012, 12:41:00 AM
christmas cat? icelanders are just lazy if that's the best they got.

Aren't they thecountry where like 25% of the people believe in gnomes? you'd think they'd come up with something better

Iceland has a whole separate tradition unrelated to any other. The cat eats children who aren't wearing new christmas clothes, clothes which the won't get unless they are on their best behaviour. The cat belongs to a mother troll who has a deadbead husband who is constantly drunk and 13 malevolent sons who are the icelandic version of santa clause. They show up one per day in the 13 days before christmas each of which is expert in one form of thuggery or other, usually some form of sabotage towards the christmas preparations (stealing food, candles and breaking stuff).

Iceland also imported some hannukah traditions and icelandic kids put a shoe in their window and get a small present each of the 13 days before christmas from the foreign santa clause who is nice, unlike the icelandic ones.


http://www.iceland.is/iceland-abroad/us/education-and-culture/curiosities/christmas-in-iceland/

QuoteThe 'Christmas Cat'
An old Icelandic folklore states that everyone has to get one new piece of clothing at Christmas. Anyone who was left out was in danger of being eaten by a malicious beast called the Christmas Cat. The Christmas Cat is Grýla's cat (see Yule Lads) and every effort was made to ensure that no-one would "go to the Christmas Cat". Thus, everyone worked very hard to make a new piece of clothing for each member of the household.
The first stories about the Christmas Cat arose in the 19th century and were probably aimed at lazy children. It seemes to have worked as, to this day, everyone gets a new piece of clothing either before or at Christmas.
Similar stories exist about a bull in the Baltics and about a goat in Norway.
The Yule Lads
Icelanders have not one, but thirteen Santas, or Yule Lads. These lads are not related to Santa Claus in any way. They are descendants of trolls and were originally used to scare children. In the last century, however, they have become a lot friendlier.
The number of Yule Lads has varied throughout the centuries but now they are consistently thirteen. The number 13 was first seen in a poem in the 18th century and the names that they carry today was published in Jón Árnason's folklore collection of 1862. Their current names are: Stekkjastaur (Sheepfold Stick), Giljagaur (Gilly Oaf), Stúfur (Shorty), Þvörusleikir (Spoon-licker), Pottasleikir (Pot-licker), Askasleikir (Bowl-licker), Hurðaskellir (Door-slammer), Skyrgámur (Skyr-glutton), Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-pilfer), Gluggagægir (Peeper), Gáttaþefur (Sniffer), Ketkrókur (Meat-hook) and Kertasníkir (Candle-begger). As you can tell from these names, the lads are very mischievous and they have retained their unique characteristics to this day. They live in the mountains with their parents, Grýla and Leppalúði. They come to town, one by one, in the days before Christmas. The first one arrives on December 12th and the last one on December 23rd. Formerly, they tried to pilfer their favorite things or play tricks on people (hence their names), but now their main role is to give children small gifts. Every child in Iceland puts their best shoe on their bedroom window sill on December 12th (some try to put their boot, in the hope that they may get more, but so far the Yule Lads haven't been fooled) and they get a small gift from each lad when he arrives in town. But beware not to be naughty or the lad might just leave a rotten potatoe in your shoe!
Their original clothing are rags that are similar to farmer's clothes in the 18th century. and they are often seen carrying their favorite food. Nowadays, however, they are usually seen in familiar red clothing with white beards and black boots.
They often make appearances at Christmas dances, which are very popular among Icelandic children. Children (adults are of course welcome to join them) dance around a Christmas tree and sing carols. The highlight of the dance is when one of the Yule Lads joins the celebration and dances and sings with the kids and usually gives them a goody bag before he leaves.
The day after Christmas the first lad returns to the mountains. Then they leave, one by one, until the last one leaves on January 6th, which is the last day of the Christmas season.

The last couple of years Christmas seem to be all about putting the ugliest and brightest light displays on, dress up in Carlsberg's blue Christmas cloth while binge drinking November and December away.

No thanks. The Spanish version is equally annoying, just in a more fake plastic sort of way, so I'll go with the Russian if that's different. :P


PS. Gløg is an abomination.

Which country focuses most on the birth of baby Jesus?

Quote from: Phillip V on December 06, 2012, 03:58:34 AM
Which country focuses most on the birth of baby Jesus?

Probably Vatican City.

So Austria has Krampus, the pedophile S&M demon; Russia has the hott Snow Babe; and Iceland has the style-critic, kid-eating cat (and the 13 Christmas thugs).

Still liking Russia.  ;)

Quote from: syk on December 06, 2012, 01:24:04 AM
Never heard of this Krampus before.

It's a Germanic thing. Only they could turn Christmas into a festival of horror and sexual deviancy.  :lol:

Quote from: Phillip V on December 06, 2012, 03:58:34 AM
Which country focuses most on the birth of baby Jesus?

It is LARPed over here, mostly in the countryside. Not the actual birth, though, we're mostly about the adoration of the magi.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimagenes.forociudad.com%2Ffotos%2F117673-alalpardo-belen-viviente.jpg&hash=7a8e514c89240d731ca8cbf8d6dd71461f516803)

Also, there's not a single house in Spain without its own nativity scene diorama style:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_MMKBDw48MYg%2FTQiSF59uQHI%2FAAAAAAAAAAU%2FrupyWE93Kyc%2Fs1600%2F2108683961_b3086e0e81.jpg&hash=847ceb1b33648d8aa945ed8318bbb326119d684d)

I love nativity sets. :wub:

I think I'm going to make one of my own in pottery just to have. More for my cultural history than my particular religious beliefs. We always had one up on Christmas. :wub:

I need to get one of those.  Apparently I'm not going to be inheriting my parents' nativity set.  Problem is my 1-year old (who already things all the Christmas tree ornaments are her toys) would lose half the pieces.

Quote from: derspiess on December 06, 2012, 11:51:56 AM
I need to get one of those.  Apparently I'm not going to be inheriting my parents' nativity set.  Problem is my 1-year old (who already things all the Christmas tree ornaments are her toys) would lose half the pieces.

Give her her own set.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F208.73.49.42%2Fresources%2FStJudeShop%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2Fprocessed%2FFP38891.zoom.a.jpg&hash=901e63a132c61f5d0de79f69ac57ca2ccbff81c3)

And teach her that this is hers, but THIS is Mama and Papa's.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fw3.villagelife.com%2Fwp-content%2Fblogs.dir%2F17%2Ffiles%2F2010%2F11%2FNativity-WEB.jpg&hash=4e9a69794624ba7325173c18d6b2d5e0d6b3dcb4)

Quote from: merithyn on December 06, 2012, 11:56:41 AM

Quote from: derspiess on December 06, 2012, 11:51:56 AM
I need to get one of those.  Apparently I'm not going to be inheriting my parents' nativity set.  Problem is my 1-year old (who already things all the Christmas tree ornaments are her toys) would lose half the pieces.

Give her her own set.

And teach her that this is hers, but THIS is Mama and Papa's.

Yeah, that won't work.  If she gets it in her mind that both are hers, they're hers.  Maybe next year.

Germany or the US.  I was in Prague for Christmas 08.  It was wonderful.  Very close to the German.

I'd probably choose German, in the end.  Mulled wine FTW.

Quote from: The Larch on December 06, 2012, 11:46:40 AM

Quote from: Phillip V on December 06, 2012, 03:58:34 AM
Which country focuses most on the birth of baby Jesus?

It is LARPed over here, mostly in the countryside. Not the actual birth, though, we're mostly about the adoration of the magi.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimagenes.forociudad.com%2Ffotos%2F117673-alalpardo-belen-viviente.jpg&hash=7a8e514c89240d731ca8cbf8d6dd71461f516803)

Also, there's not a single house in Spain without its own nativity scene diorama style:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_MMKBDw48MYg%2FTQiSF59uQHI%2FAAAAAAAAAAU%2FrupyWE93Kyc%2Fs1600%2F2108683961_b3086e0e81.jpg&hash=847ceb1b33648d8aa945ed8318bbb326119d684d)

What was it with the Spanish custom of having a guy with a naked butt in the nativity scene?

Quote from: Syt on December 06, 2012, 12:43:13 PMWhat was it with the Spanish custom of having a guy with a naked butt in the nativity scene?

That's a Catalan thingie, the caganer. And it's not just there with a naked butt, it's supposed to be taking a dump.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.uccdn.com%2Fimages%2F3%2F4%2F3%2Fimg_donde_comprar_el_caganer_para_el_belen_3343_orig.jpg&hash=aec7238314e6c4a498fae55e98005502034989fd)

It's meant to be semi-hidden in the background so kids have to look for it.

Lol I've never heard of that.

Great, an Elf on The Shelf that Takes a Dump.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi13.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa299%2FSlayhem%2Fchristmas.jpg&hash=d4cc6a20e69a52b0a52acb7263f507ea9fb2659a)

Quote from: derspiess on December 06, 2012, 01:17:50 PM
Lol I've never heard of that.

They make celebrity versions too. :p

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_SqhhJb_P3Kk%2FSVVPPrpEpMI%2FAAAAAAAAD74%2Fts3vmYxThnY%2Fs400%2FObama%2Bcaganer.jpg&hash=3c27363c61955dda5c3038ddd7886682241d5ff3)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbearmancartoons.files.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fcaganer-queen-elizabeth.png%3Fw%3D450&hash=9926d73ba03e89e8762b28353b769c53b8ae6afa)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-q7GUHgXFy5c%2FTvNBy8kTwcI%2FAAAAAAAADgk%2FvXBRzv2rH1M%2Fs1600%2Fpope_caganer.jpg&hash=87adb68b405d88776363c6165e0ffbe1787e2f2f)

Racist.

Quote from: The Brain on December 06, 2012, 01:45:33 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi13.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa299%2FSlayhem%2Fchristmas.jpg&hash=d4cc6a20e69a52b0a52acb7263f507ea9fb2659a)

:wub:

WTF?  Is there some special significance to a dude taking a dump at Jesus' birth?

It is just a reflection of the sophistication of Catalonian culture.

Quote from: Valmy on December 06, 2012, 05:46:53 PM
It is just a reflection of the sophistication of Catalonian culture.

Heh, check out this bit of German decoration.

There is a statue of Konrad von Hochstaden, prince of the Church, on the walls of Cologne City Hall.

He's standing on a decorated plinth:  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Rathausturm_K%C3%B6ln_-_Konrad_von_Hochstaden_-_Gerhard_Unmaze_%286143-45%29.jpg/1024px-Rathausturm_K%C3%B6ln_-_Konrad_von_Hochstaden_-_Gerhard_Unmaze_%286143-45%29.jpg

Take a closer look at that plinth - WTF?  :lol:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MduCeL5WerM/ULhr763U6AI/AAAAAAAARn4/kjZNlXT20Gk/s1600/tumblr_mdu6m75NjZ1qgs0jno2_500.png

The Obama one looks in the face like he really is trying to take a dump. 

That's a pretty cool tradition.  I may take a stab at importing it to the US.

Quote from: derspiess on December 06, 2012, 06:32:11 PM
The Obama one looks in the face like he really is trying to take a dump. 

The Pope's grimaced smile kinda looks like me after a big dinner dump.  All that's missing are the welled up tears in the eyes and the hardened nipples.

I'm getting turned on

A good shit is nature's way of reminding you why men have nipples.

No idea what you're talking about.

Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 06, 2012, 05:45:08 PM
WTF?  Is there some special significance to a dude taking a dump at Jesus' birth?

I imagine it's a hangover from Medieval stone masonry.

We've got lots of nativity sets (my mum has 12, at last count) and plays over here too :)  I was always Herod.

Quote from: derspiess on December 06, 2012, 08:47:37 PM
No idea what you're talking about.

Yup.  Just you Seedy.

Quote from: Tyr on December 06, 2012, 02:21:19 AM
Sweden has glog. And those lovely ginger thingies I can't remember the name of. Which is awesome.

Pepparkakor, most likely.  I'll be making some of that soon.

Well this thread turned out to contain some unexpected content. :hmm:

The comparison of Christmas traditions made me think of this:

David Sedaris - Six to Eight Black Men (YouTube) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYdpte1W0vk)

Quote from: derspiess on December 06, 2012, 11:51:56 AM
I need to get one of those.  Apparently I'm not going to be inheriting my parents' nativity set.  Problem is my 1-year old (who already things all the Christmas tree ornaments are her toys) would lose half the pieces.

I need to remember to get my nativity set out of the things I left stored in California.

Quote from: Malthus on December 06, 2012, 05:56:12 PM
Take a closer look at that plinth - WTF?  :lol:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MduCeL5WerM/ULhr763U6AI/AAAAAAAARn4/kjZNlXT20Gk/s1600/tumblr_mdu6m75NjZ1qgs0jno2_500.png

:hmm:

Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 06, 2012, 05:45:08 PM
WTF?  Is there some special significance to a dude taking a dump at Jesus' birth?

Background:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caganer

I like the Catalan pre-meal saying quoted there: "menja bé, caga fort i no tinguis por a la mort!" (Eat well, shit strong, and don't fear death!) The Catalans also seem to have a xmas tree log for kids that shits candy for them. Those guys seem rather obsessed.

Quote from: Syt on December 06, 2012, 11:57:08 PM

Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 06, 2012, 05:45:08 PM
WTF?  Is there some special significance to a dude taking a dump at Jesus' birth?

Background:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caganer

I like the Catalan pre-meal saying quoted there: "menja bé, caga fort i no tinguis por a la mort!" (Eat well, shit strong, and don't fear death!) The Catalans also seem to have a xmas tree log for kids that shits candy for them. Those guys seem rather obsessed.

Yup, the log is called Tió:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F3%2F38%2FCagatio.jpg%2F150px-Cagatio.jpg&hash=b4ce34b845111dca0d08e0c5956edbfddd3cc9a4)

Kids are supposed to "feed" it during the buildup for Christmas and on Christmas day they have to beat him with sticks while singing a song to make him shit candy. Freud would have a field day with those traditions.

Might explain all the German tourists at Ibiza.  :ph34r:

Quote from: Baron von Schtinkenbutt on December 06, 2012, 10:17:25 PM

Quote from: Tyr on December 06, 2012, 02:21:19 AM
Sweden has glog. And those lovely ginger thingies I can't remember the name of. Which is awesome.

Pepparkakor, most likely.  I'll be making some of that soon.

:mmm:

Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 06, 2012, 02:10:18 AM
I saw Patrick Stewart play Scrooge in a play once. He was absolutely epic.

Voted Britain/Dickens

I might have voted that way, if I thought that Christmas in Britian, as portrayed by Dickens, actually closely resembled how Christmas is celebrated in modern Britian.

Quote from: dps on December 07, 2012, 08:21:50 AM

Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 06, 2012, 02:10:18 AM
I saw Patrick Stewart play Scrooge in a play once. He was absolutely epic.

Voted Britain/Dickens

I might have voted that way, if I thought that Christmas in Britian, as portrayed by Dickens, actually closely resembled how Christmas is celebrated in modern Britian.

I'm sure it is here: http://www.dickensworld.co.uk/

Quote from: The Larch on December 07, 2012, 05:39:24 AM

Quote from: Syt on December 06, 2012, 11:57:08 PM

Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 06, 2012, 05:45:08 PM
WTF?  Is there some special significance to a dude taking a dump at Jesus' birth?

Background:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caganer

I like the Catalan pre-meal saying quoted there: "menja bé, caga fort i no tinguis por a la mort!" (Eat well, shit strong, and don't fear death!) The Catalans also seem to have a xmas tree log for kids that shits candy for them. Those guys seem rather obsessed.

Yup, the log is called Tió:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F3%2F38%2FCagatio.jpg%2F150px-Cagatio.jpg&hash=b4ce34b845111dca0d08e0c5956edbfddd3cc9a4)

Kids are supposed to "feed" it during the buildup for Christmas and on Christmas day they have to beat him with sticks while singing a song to make him shit candy. Freud would have a field day with those traditions.

Awesome.  I think I'll just start with the Caganer and see how that works.  My wife had never heard of it (she barely knows what or where the hell Cataluña is).  Tommy thought it was hilarious.