Holiday Symbols

Years ago I put together a holiday game that cosists of 10 objects on a table that represent various holidays in different countries around this time of year. I brought the game out again this year to use at a civic organization that I belong to and I changed a few. I am interested in collecting more so I'm going to list the 10 I used last night and see if I can learn about some new holidays.

1. Object: Stocking depicting a good witch leaving presents for children
Holiday: Epiphany
Country: Italy
Comments: I always thought this was for Christmas but this stocking is over 30 yrs. old and children did not get presents on Christmas day at that time.
2. Object: An egg
Holiday: Solstice
Country: Everywhere celebrated
Comments: It is said that at the exact moment of Solstice you can stand an egg on its end (bigger side down). This year Solstice is on Dec. 21 at 7:22 p.m.
3. Object: Man in a red hat squating down and relieving himself
Holiday: Christmas
Country: Catalunya, Spain
Comments: In the Catalan nativity scene there have always been figures that represent people going about their normal life - a fisherman, a washerwoman and the "caganés", the aforementioned guy. This is to depict that Jesus was born on a day like any other.
4. Object(s): A placemat, ears of corn
Holiday: Kwanzaa
Country: USA
Comments: This African American holiday was begun in the 60's to honor African American history and tradition. The placemat represents nuturing and tradition. Each ear of corn represents a child in the family. The holiday begins the day after Christmas.
5. Object(s): Christmas tree, decorations (this year the decorations represented the Twelve Days of Christmas)
Holiday: Christmas
Country: USA (and others)
Comments: The tradition of the tree began in Germany I believe. The tree is a symbol of the path to the birth of Jesus, starting at the bottom and winding its way to the star at the top. Presents used to be placed on the tree to represent the gifts that the wise men brought.
6. Objects(s): Three figures bearing gifts
Holiday: "Día de los Reyes"
Country: Spain, most Latin American Countries and others
Comments: These countries did not celebrate Christmas in the past, other than to attend a church service and have a family meal. The presents were given on January 6 - Epiphany, the day the 3 kings brought the presents.
7. Object: A shoe
Holiday: St. Nicolaus, Decmeber 5th.
Country: Germany
Comments: I just learned this while wrapping books in a bookstore for another civic organization. A man said he needed to give his German wife presents that night. I asked him about an object that would represent this holiday and he said he was supposed to put the presents in a shoe. I'd love to learn more about this one.
8. Object: A dreidl
Holiday: Hannukah or Chanukah (means rededication)
Country: Wherever celebrated.
Comments: This holiday celebrates events which took place 2,300 years ago in Judea. It takes place on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kisley - this varies on the western calendar between the end of November and the end of December. This year it begins December 16th. The Festival of Lights lasts for eight days to commemorate the miracle of the oil (which instead of lasting one day, lasted for 8) and is now symbolized by the menorah.
9. Object: Red envelope
Holiday: Chinese New Year
Country: China
Comments: Red envelopes are used to give money as presents
10. Object(s): Noisemakers/funny hats
Holiday: New Year
Country: USA and others
Comments: New Year in Spain could be represented by 12 grapes - each one to be eaten on a stroke of midnight.

Another holiday I've included is La Posada from Mexico which could be represented by a piñata. One of our Thai students just told me that December 6th is Father's Day and is represented by an article of yellow clothing. I would love to learn of more holidays celebrated around this time of year. Also I appreciate any corrections if I have my facts wrong.

Happy Holidays!