The influence of Europe in the Christmas traditions of Canada can be seen in the celebrations and the various customs and traditions of the holiday. The midnight mass is the central celebration of French Canadians on Christmas eve, where they display a nativity scene beneath a Christmas tree. After the mass, the family has a huge banquet as part of the Christmas traditions of Canada. Gift-giving occurs on New Year’s Day.

For the English Canadians, the Christmas traditions of Canada feasts usually include a roast goose or beef and plum pudding. The homes are decorated with pine bough and kissing balls. They also sing the ancient carols during the period.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

The Christmas traditions of Hawaii

The Christmas traditions of Hawaii is a labor of love and creativity. Hawaiians import their Christmas trees long before the season arrives from across the Pacific Ocean, which arrive on the Christmas Tree Ship. They look for the best grand firs, noble, and other popular varieties of fir or pine. Many grow their own trees in their backyard. More creative Hawaiians create Christmas trees by decorating the Palm trees for outdoor displays and they substitute Santa Claus’s sleigh and reindeers with an outrigger canoe and dolphins.

They also provide the elves with aloha shirts. With creative twists, the Christmas traditions of Hawaii become surprises each year. This way, Santa wears aloha shirts and the Holiday dinner is a community luau with a kalua roast pig and Christmasleis.

Favorite Sugar Cookies Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

MAKES: 84 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 egg
• 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

FROSTING:

• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 4 tablespoons 2% milk
• Food coloring of your choice, optional
• Colored sugar, edible glitter, nonpareils or frosting of your choice, optional

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. Combine flour and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill 1-2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutters. Place on greased baking sheets. Bake 7-9 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
3. For frosting, in a small bowl, combine butter, sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve a spreading consistency. If desired, tint with food coloring. Frost cookies; decorate as desired. Yield: 6-7 dozen.