Christmas traditions

Displaced Serbs from Djakovica, a town in Kosovo, have visited a Serbian Orthodox church there on Orthodox Christmas Eve.

They came in a bus escorted by the police and brought a badnjak - an oak log that is part of Serbian Christmas traditions - to the church's yard, despite the fact several dozen ethnic Albanians gathered to protest against their arrival.

We have seen yet another Christmas. And some senseless reactions have, again, come from our Muslim world.

Brunei
Brunei has banned public celebrations of Christmas, violating Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Somalia
There will be no Christmas or New Year celebrations in Somalia for fear that activities could evoke Islamist attacks, according to the Muslim-majority country’s government.

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Wednesday extended Christmas greetings to all citizens who celebrate it according to the Gregorian calendar.

Serbia's majority Eastern Orthodox Christians will celebrate the holiday on January 7 - but the minority Catholic and Protestant citizens will do so on December 25.

A homeless man on Stadiou Street went viral after he decided to decorate his little corner of the public street with a Christmas tree. His sleeping quarters are just that little bit cheery giving his take on the holiday.

Greek florist/decorator Maria Lalagos, whose roots are from Crete and the Peloponnese, was one of the 89 volunteers selected to decorate the White House for Christmas. Known to her friends as the “Christmas elf”, her participation in bringing Christmas cheer to the family of U.S. President Barack Obama was a dream come true.

Christmas time conjures images of family gatherings, tinsel, gifts and love… What better backdrop for romance? Illustrator Emma Block collaborated with Vashi Jewelers to explore the different ways that the romance of Christmas travels around the world.

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Greece

UK

With Christmas just around the corner, Beyoncé chose a more festive look to attend Roc Nation holiday party in New York City dressing up like a Christmas tree.

The famous singer was photographed wearing a Santa hat, Christmas tree sunglasses, a colorful dress, and a shawl decorated with ornaments, a garland, and poinsettias.

When children start drawing one thing is certain: you are never sure what the result would be. And this is no way a bad thing. Their unintentional hilarity coming from their innocent desire to express themselves is amusing.

And that’s what happened with a kid, who drew a picture of Santa Claus being over excited.

Gift-giving Santa Claus has come to signify indulgence. Known also as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or just plain Santa, there’s more Greek to him than most people know.