Most of you are familiar with American， Canadian and English Christmas customs， which are largely the same， including Santa bringing presents that sit below a lit up tree. But have you ever wondered just how Christmas is celebrated in China， or in Finland? Whether you’re just interested in learning more about other cultures or want to incorporate some new traditions into your holiday celebrations， this article is filled with all you need to know about international Christmases.
大多数人对英美加这些国家如何过圣诞都很熟悉。它们的圣诞习俗大同小异，包括圣诞老人在点亮的圣诞树下放上礼物。但是你曾想过中国、芬兰这些国家是如何庆祝圣诞的吗？不管你是有兴趣了解其他文化，还是想为自己的圣诞庆祝添点新花样，这篇文章将给你所有“必知”的不同国家的圣诞知识。
Poland
波兰
For Poles， Christmas Eve is a night of magic when animals are said to talk and people have the power to predict the future. It’s a time for families to gather and reconcile any differences， and to remember loved ones who have gone before them.
对于波兰人来说，平安夜是充满魔力的一夜。据说动物在这一夜可以与人说话，而人有预测未来的能力。家人们会在平安夜团聚一堂，调和矛盾，并怀念过世的亲人。
Wigilia (vee-GEEL-yah)， which literally means "vigil，" or waiting for the birth of Baby Jesus， is considered more important than Christmas Day itself.
对波兰人来说，“守夜”或“等待婴孩耶稣的诞生”（Wigilia）比圣诞节那一天更重要。
Wigilia is a meatless meal because， years ago， Roman Catholics fasted for the four weeks of Advent， including Christmas Eve. In the past there were thirteen main dishes (representing the Apostles and Christ)， but， these days， many families have replaced this tradition with a twelve-fruit compote for dessert.
“守夜”晚餐是素食，因为多年前，罗马天主教徒在降临节四周一直到平安夜都斋戒。过去晚餐有13道主菜（代表耶稣和他的使徒）。但是如今许多家庭转而选择12样水果的果盘甜点。
The foods are to represent the four corners of the earth -- mushrooms from the forest， grain from the fields， fruit from the orchards， and fish from the lakes and sea.
食物代表地球的天涯海角——蘑菇来自于森林，谷物来自于田地，水果来自于果园，而鱼来自于湖海。
Meals vary from family to family but usually include a special soup followed by many elegant fish preparations， vegetables， and pierogi.
每家的饭菜都不同，但通常都包括一种特制的汤，还有许多精致的鱼肉餐、蔬菜和半圆形小酥饼。
Czech Republic
捷克共和国
The Czech version of Saint Nick is known as Svaty Mikulas， who is said to climb down to Earth from the heavens using a golden rope. Mikulas is accompanied by an angel and a devil who help him decide which girls and boys deserve treats and toys， and which ones deserve a swatch.
捷克人称圣诞老人为“米库拉斯”（Svaty Mikulas）。据说他用一根金绳从天堂爬到了大地。陪在他身边的是一位天使和一位恶魔。他们俩决定哪些男孩女孩值得得到美食和玩具而哪些孩子该被鞭打一顿。
There are a lot of fortune-telling traditions that are associated with Christmas as well. One involves a family member cutting a branch from a cherry tree and putting it inside in water. If it blooms in time for Christmas it is good luck. It also may represent that the winter will be short， or if a single woman picked the branch， it could mean she will get married in the next year.
圣诞节也有一些算命的习俗。其中有一个是家庭成员从樱桃树上砍下一根树枝并把它放入水中。如果它在圣诞节开了花，就表示好运。它也代表冬季会很短。倘若一位单身女子捡到了这根树枝，这表示她在明年将会结婚。
On Christmas Eve， single woman also try to see if they will get married in the next year by standing outside with their back to their front door， removing one of their shoes and throwing it over their shoulder. If the shoe lands with the toe facing the door， then she will marry in the next year. If not， she will have to wait at least another 12 months.
在平安夜，单身女子还会通过“扔鞋子”来测试自己明年是否会结婚。她们在屋外背对前门站着，脱下一只鞋，把它从肩上向后扔。如果鞋子落地时鞋头朝门，这就表示她们明年将会结婚。如果鞋子鞋尾朝门，她们就得再等个一年了。
