h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There is a very strong German presence where I live in Pennsylvania (ever hear of the Pennsylvania Dutch?) so a lot of our traditions are similar to yours.

We have advent calendars. And decorate trees and bake far too many sweets. But in nontraditional homes and outside the German-speaking parts of the state, Santa Claus comes on the night of Dec. 24 and presents are opened on Dec. 25.

I dated an Itallian girl whose family opened presents on Dec. 24 after a seven-course meal with traditional foods from the 'old country', all I can remember is the squid.

We hang stockings and many American churches hold pagents at this time of year. Since I have a small baby, my family will be playing the role of the Holy Family at our church. Little Meredith will play the role of Jesus, my wife will be the Virgin Mother, I get to be Joseph (stop giggling!) and daughter Natalie will be a special angel who watches over the baby in the manger.

That's all I can think of for now, I'll try to think of some more stuff later...



- X