CHRISTMAS IN CANADA

Canada is a large country with several different types of cultural backgrounds.

There are various Christmas traditions in Canada that come from places such
as France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Norway, and Ukraine.

TRADITIONS
People in Canada send Christmas cards to their family and
friends. Many Canadians open their gifts on Christmas Eve, while
others just open their stockings. Other Canadians choose one gift
to open and open the rest on Christmas Day.

DECORATIONS
Canadians decorate their homes with Christmas trees,
lights, and other decorations. Christmas stockings are
often hung by the fireplace.

FOOD
Roast turkey with vegetables and sides, such as mashed potatoes, are served
as the main Christmas meal typically in Canada. Christmas or plum puddings
and mincemeat tarts are favorite desserts. Christmas crackers and
Christmas cake are also popular. Many Canadians have cookie baking parties.
They bring a recipe for Christmas cookies, bake them, and
then exchange the treats. Gingerbread people and houses are
popular, as well as cheese straws. Each family goes home with
a variety cookies at the end of the party.
SANTA
Canadian children believe Santa Clause brings them gifts on
Christmas Eve. The Santa Claus Parade in Toronto is one of
the largest and oldest Santa parades in the world. It began
in 1913 when Santa was pulled through the streets and the
children followed him on his route. It is now a huge event
with over 25 animated floats and 2000 participants. It is
broadcast on television all over the world. In
French speaking areas Santa is known as
Pere Noel.
BELSNICKELING
On the south shore of Nova Scotia, people go Belsnickeling, where
they dress up in funny Santa costumes and go from house to
house until the owners guess their identity. Belsnicklers often bring
musical instruments and sing. They are usually served cake or
cookies. The German immigrants who settled the area brought
Belsnickeling to Canada in 1751. ©Teaching to the Middle
TREES
Nova Scotia, an Eastern Canadian province, is known worldwide for its fir
and pine Christmas Trees. The biggest and best fir tree is traditionally
sent to Boston in the United States dating back to a disaster known
as the Halifax Explosion. Bostonians appreciate and love their Nova
Scotian Christmas Tree. The tree is placed in the city and lit during a
ceremony marking the start of the Christmas season.

MUMMERING
Mummering is a tradition that occurs in the Newfoundland, mostly
in small towns and villages. Another name for it is “Jannying.” People
dress up in costumes, knock on others’ doors, and use a disguised
voice to say, “Are there any Mummers in the Night?” or “Any mummers ‘loud
in.” This basically means are they allowed in the house? After they are
permitted into the house, they sing and dance and share refreshments before
moving on to the next home. Going Mummering is a fun Christmas activity for
adults. They usually go out between December 26 and January 6th, the Twelve
Days of Christmas. Mummering was banned in some places because people used
it as an excuse for begging.

SINCK TUCK
“Sinck Tuck” is a festival the Inuit people started. It is celebrated in
some provinces of Canada. People dance and exchange gifts during
Sinck Tuck.

LABRADOR CITY
A Christmas Light-up Contest is held each year in Labrador City in
Newfoundland. People decorate their homes with lights and often
have large ice sculptures in their front yards.
JANUARY 6th
A festival in the province of Quebec is called “La Fete du Roi.” Cakes are baked
with a bean in the middle. The person who discovers the bean gets to be the
king or queen, according to tradition. This is similar to a Spanish tradition.

SWEETS
In Southwestern Nova Scotia, sweets known as Barley Candy and Chicken Bones
are eaten. Barley Candy is typically on a stick and shaped like Santa, reindeer,
snowmen, trees, and other Christmas symbols. Chicken Bones
are pink, cinnamon candies that melt in the mouth, revealing a
creamy milk chocolate center.

ACTIVITIES
Skiing, skating, and tobogganing are popular activities if there
is snow at Christmas in Canada.
©Teaching to the Middle
Name____________________________________________________

CHRISTMAS IN CANADA
MATCHING: Match each term with its description.
1. ____ Toronto A. Known for their fir and pine Christmas trees

2. _____ Mummering B. People dress up in funny Santa costumes for this

3. _____ Quebec C. A large Santa Claus parade is held in this city

4. _____ Sinck Tuck D. Popular outdoor activity during Christmas in Canada

5. _____ Skiing E. Fun Christmas activity of going from house to house

6. _____ Nova Scotia F. La Fete du Roi takes place in this Canadian province

7. _____ Pere Noel G. Canadians often have these baking parties

8. _____ Chicken Bones H. Festival started by the Inuit in Canada

9. _____ Belsnickeling I. Santa Claus in French

10. _____ Cookie J. Candy that melts in your mouth

True or False?: Place a check in the correct column.

Statement T F
11. Nova Scotia provides a Christmas tree for New York City each year.

12. People in Labrador City often have ice sculptures in their yard.

13. Barley Candy is popular at Christmas in Nova Scotia.

14. Quebec has a large Santa Claus parade each year.

15. The tradition of Belsnickeling came from German immigrants.

16. Mummering is also known as Jannying.

17. Canadian children do not believe in Santa Claus.

18. Mummering was outlawed some places because it was used to beg.

19. Mummering and Belsnickeling both involve going to others’ homes.

20. Mummering usually occurs on New Year’s Eve.

©Teaching to the Middle
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Choose the best answer.
21. Which of the following best completes the analogy?
Mummering : Newfoundland :: Santa Claus Parade : ___________
A. Toronto
B. Nova Scotia
C. Labrador City
D. Quebec

22. Which of the following is NOT a true statement about Belsnickeling?

A. It was brought to Canada by German immigrants.
B. People dress up in funny Santa costumes.
C. People in Newfoundland mainly go Belsnickeling.
D. They usually bring musical instruments and sing.

23. What is the author’s main purpose in writing this selection?

A. To persuade the reader to visit Canada for Christmas.
B. To explain how Canadians came to celebrate Christmas.
C. To entertain the reader with an interesting story about Christmas in
Canada.
D. To inform the reader of different Canadian Christmas traditions.

24. Why did Nova Scotia start giving Boston, Massachusetts a Christmas
tree?
A. Many of Canada’s immigrants came from Boston.
B. Many of Boston’s immigrants came from Canada.
C. They experienced a disaster known as the Halifax Explosion.
D. They knew Boston did not have fir trees in their city.

25. Which of the following is NOT true about the Santa

Claus Parade?
A. It no longer takes place.
B. It began in 1913.
C. It takes place in Toronto.
D. It is now televised.

26. With which statement would the author most likely agree?
A. Christmas in Canada is very different from Christmas in the United
States.
B. Christmas in Canada has many of the same traditions as Christmas in
the United States, but there are some differences.
C. Christmas in Canada and the United States are exactly the same.
D. Christmas in Canada sounds much better than Christmas in the United
States. ©Teaching to the Middle