This is the most delightful time of year. Every year, for a few weeks, the world takes on a magical light, people appear happier, and even winter feels comfortable. People from all around the world have embraced the holiday season, bringing their own customs with them. 

You may wish to initiate some of these customs in your own family after learning about what goes in other countries: 

• Ireland – overnight, the Irish place a tall red candle in a front window as a welcome sign of warmth and sanctuary for the Christmas season. 
• Finland – many Finnish households have their own sauna, and during the holidays, this cosy location becomes a hallowed sanctuary linked with long-dead relatives. 
• Netherlands – every year, in the days preceding up to December 25th, Dutch youngsters anxiously set their shoes by the fire in the expectation that Santa Claus would fill them with tiny presents and food throughout the night. 
• Norway – Christmas Eve, according to Norwegian legend, is the day when wicked souls and witches go to the skies to cause trouble and total mayhem. Because witches frequently use brooms as their method of transportation, it is customary for Norwegian households to remove any sweeping sticks where the witches cannot find them.