Dear Colleen and List, Colleen Pustola wrote: > 2. Christmas around the world Merry Christmas to one and all! I have a few things to add about various Christmas celebrations around the world. Canada: Concerning celebration of Christmas around the world being different, I noted that Jak D, mentioned "Boxing Day" in England/GB. When my wife and I lived in the Owen Sound vicinity of Ontario, Canada for two years (150 miles north of Toronto), we experienced Boxing Day there as well, which was a new experience for us. Our local friends and acquaintances there were mainly of Scottish/English heritage. All in all, I enjoyed their Christmas celebrations very much, seeing that they celebrated a lot around the table, much more than we do here in the US: food, more food, deserts, more deserts! The deserts were simply indescribably scrumptious. Surprisingly, to us US Americans, they brought out course after course of various deserts -- cakes pies, ice creams, puddings, tarts (new for me too), and finally for the grand finale, steamed plum pudding. This was in the form of a huge mound, like an inverted bowl, and had the consistency of a moist, steamy-hot ginger-bread cake (but better) with a sweet, sauce-like, drippy glaze poured over the top. Oh my, I can taste it all now!! SE Asia: Most Asian Christians that I am aware of, celebrate Christmas more towards new years, which is an important date in their respective cultures. In fact their own original New Years are celebrated well into the new year. As far as non-Christians (Mostly Buddhists), the pressures of Western culture and influence of business and marketing (money making) have been brought to bear consequently Santa Claus and present giving can be found through-out most major cities, but not up-country. Thailand My wife and I lived and worked in Thailand since 1973 (physical presence 16 years). Thailand is especially interesting because of their beloved King Phumiphol Adunyadej's birthday being celebrated on December 5th. It is so deceptively reminiscent of Christmas (but is not ...) since it is celebrated widely with Christmas-type colored lights and tinsel-type decorations hung over roadways, on street lamp posts and on buildings of major cities. This makes the foreigners feel at home, giving a Christmas flavor; however, the Birthday of the King of Kings passes by without much notice, except for among the relatively few Christians there, of course. Then it's on to New Years, both Western and Chinese styles, where the local participants exchange gifts, participants usually being those of the upper or high-middle business, civil servant, and/or aristocratic classes. Best Regards, Ron Myers San Diego