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The four commandments to buy Christmas gifts online

December 8th, 2007 admin No comments

The race begins with gifts. Especially to avoid queues in the shops, more and more French choose to do their shopping on the Internet. The Federation of e-commerce and distance selling (Fevad) provides that the turnover of E-expected to exceed the threshold of 16 billion euros end 2007, up from 11.9 billion euros in 2006.

Still, for purchasing online, there are rules. 20 minutes summarizes the four commandments of e-client happy.

For delivery times thou shalt attention
Make sure your orders will be delivered in time for inclusion under the tree. Expect two to three weeks of time because, during the holidays, e-commerce sites piled high with requests and can not always meet their commitments as soon as during the rest of the year.

The reliable sites you prefer
To avoid disappointment, visit the sites rather known brands and give easy access, on their site, the “general conditions of sale, which must be clear and printable,” says David Melison, lawyer, as well as ‘ “ways to contact the company: mailing address (to see nationality, easier in case of problems), telephone, mail or form.”

Steps to pay you vérifieras
Before getting out your credit card, see if the area is secure payment: at the bottom left of your screen, should see a small padlock and above the page, the site must have an address that starts with https ( “s” means that you are on a secure protocol).
Moreover, in France, applies the principle of “double-click. The first to see the summary of the order, a second for the validation, “says David Melison. If it does not, beware.

Remember to remove it, which is sometimes against your will on the final command. “Extension of warranty, consumables, loyalty card fee, cancellation insurance … The question, then uncheck additions default, “says the lawyer.

A solution in the event of delay in the ignition you n’oublieras not
If you are taking too late for the packages arrive on Christmas Day, and, yet, you do not want to make a trip in the department stores, a trick. Order still on the Net, have them delivered the package at the home of the person who should receive the gift (exact, at the time of order, it is a gift, that you need a packing and that the bill must be sent separately), and to get the pill with the firm (s) on the day said, prepare a beautiful card in an equally beautiful envelope, on which you can write “good for. .. “.

Alice Antheaume

Christmas 2007 in Lebanon what Lebanese do in christmas day

December 5th, 2007 admin No comments

MILAD MAJID WA MAO SAID! (Merry Christmas 2007 and Happy New Year 2008 )

Christmas in Lebanon is an important event that even Muslims decorate their homes and trees.

The Christmas of my childhood is different from that of today. The priorities have changed. The festival is far too commercialized nowadays what makes losing the spirituality of yore. Yet I love the period from November to December in Lebanon.
I try to give to my son, the true meaning of Christmas Fathers who are on every corner, the meaning of each tree decorated, and each building dripping with light, as did my parents before me. I would learn to share what he had, even if it does not have a lot, with those (and especially children) who are poor or who are not lucky enough to have parents like him.

The celebrations of tree in lebanon 2007 begin in November:
The exhibitions “Special Christmas” accompany us until the end of the year, the windows are red and gold, the streets are brilliantly lit, parishes are in competition with one another to see who uses the best nurseries (to trace, with characters carved size, the life of Jesus Christ, the result is … scenes breathtaking.

The enthusiasm we all live with the approach of the day J.
the children look forward to the gifts they have ordered to Santa Claus. Forget about guns, revolvers and other types of weapons that most Lebanese offered to their children during the war (circumstance requires), back to the culture!

On Christmas Eve 2007 all my sisters (we are 5), their children, meet with my parents (my husband and I are in agreement now that we know-10 years – to spend Christmas Eve with my parents, and the feast day to his own home, and it works!)
Everybody puts a hand. It prepares turkeys and the “Moghli” (kind of dessert that the Lebanese are expressing their joy at the birth of Christ).
The tree is there in the corner from Saint Barbara (December 4), we only have to file the gift that will open on Christmas morning.
After dinner, the whole family goes to church for midnight Mass.

There is a tradition in Lebanon, and I always practice with my husband: To serve the large family of (Grandparents, uncles, aunts) respect and love that they door on the day of the visit Christmas with gifts and candy, and in turn, they come to us at New Year to thank us for our attention and bring gifts with them.
The social side is very important in Lebanon. This is accentuated during the holidays or families are closer than ever.

McLaren gift ideas for Christmas 2008 2007

November 29th, 2007 admin No comments

Christmas is approaching fast and like every year it will widen the lead in finding new ideas for gifts for everyone. Fortunately, The Auto Blog is here to avoid these interminable sessions of brain storming and offers gifts and competitive prices.

Exits to be original, he will be a VERY original. Why not these accessories from the store officially derivatives McLaren F1?

First, to decorate your office or to decorate the shelves of your living room, this replica hand-painted nose of the Ferrari Mc Laren MP4-22 conducted at 1/12eme.
To admire the aerodynamic specifications of a Formula 1 or even use it as a cheese grater, it only costs 139 dollars.

If you stay on your hunger, Mc Laren imagined that kills the gift. A replica Mc Laren certified by the wheel of the MP4-22 reproduced at 1, a reproduction 100% faithful conducted in carbon fiber and functional buttons! Compatible with either your car or with your game console, but it should not be too much to ask for a price as low: $ 2500.

Finally, McLaren seems to have found an effective way to pay the fine million it owes to the FIA…

Finding a Christmas present ethical and environmentally

November 29th, 2007 admin No comments

Mi November… It is already time to think about his future Christmas shopping. Too bad if I read my relatives, they will have a demie-surprise in unpacking their gift because I announced publicly, I found what they offer!

This year all my thoughtful gifts will be for a purpose: to respect our planet…

This makes for some time that I am looking for e-commerce sites offering me this type of product and, to my amazement, they are quite numerous.

So firstly, what is a gift that “respects the planet”?
In my view, this is a gift that goes in the direction of sustainable development, therefore, less polluting or a gift fair trade. So the possibilities are numerous: virtual gifts (thus by definition without packing), organic cotton clothing (it should be known that the traditional culture of cotton is highly polluting and harmful to one’s health), gadgets using renewable energy (a lamp handhelds without a battery, for example), cosmetics and natural products fair trade, donation or sponsorship for an association…

You quickly discover that there are thousands of gifts, helpful and respectful to our planet to offer for Christmas.

So that’s what I suggest. Although I would like other people join me in creating a movement called “Christmas Ethics 2007″. We will try to list all the many e-commerce sites that could meet this need and try to convert as many people as possible to this type of purchase. For this, I will ask you:

If you have a site or blog, to put one of the following banners to promote the operation and (if possible) to make a short article explaining the concept (= it is necessary and useful to buy gifts for Christmas ethical ) to relay the news. The best solution would be to put the title of the message: “I participate in Operation Christmas Ethics 2007″
If you have a blog, you can resume the list that I publish here and add, as a result, your own links you found on the canvas. Remember me know so that I add links to your wish list. The ideal would be to make a small product with 3 to 5 new links that will seem useful to make purchases ethical
If you do not have a site or blog, you can also contribute to this process by adding, via comments, shopping sites online that you seem relevant

Gift ideas for Christmas 207 2008

November 29th, 2007 admin No comments

gift_chrismas_2007.JPGThe holidays are approaching, and with Christmas, it will still be the galére to find nice gifts and original. So I said today that I could put the community blog for help finding gift ideas sympathetic. The best way is to start a chain. I therefore propose to introduce “three great gift ideas for next Christmas” as well as “a nice gift that you made recently.” Then, typically, you pass the baton to 3 other bloggers (unusually, I will give the floor to much of bloggers history to launch the channel). In one month, there are copies.

Idea No. 1: Wake Philips Lighting

I had already spoken to a few months ago. Since then, I wake up with every morning. The principle: rather than being woken up every morning by a ringing criarde, you are not gradually awakened a light that simulates dawn. At a time of renewal, the music is triggered, completing you extract arm Morpheus. It’s really very nice, although the number of rings “nature” should be extended and may be less repetitive. Anyway, it’s a very good product, fairly original.

Idea No. 2: Special gastronomy Trivial pursuit

No need to introduce trivial pursuit. The games answer that question annoying those who can not meet while the men “I know everything” to give to your heart’s content to show the other they know more than they did. Amateur gastronomy, good food and cooking, here’s a good way to show that even if you do not know where Napoleon died, you have developed a certain knowledge. Original, this gift exchange endless books and kitchen utensils.

Idea No. 3: A bread machine

Ah, the good warm bread, without having to travel to the baker. At the moment, bread machines grow like little bread on the shelves of department stores (that is the least one can say). I tested the gift in question to a friend, since it makes me delicious breads and buns exquisite. It takes a little experience to make good bread, but after a few tests, the results are very interesting.

Nice Gift: A coffeemaker Nespresso

At Christmas last year, I was offered a coffeemaker Nespresso. As the only drinking coffee with me, I am very pleased with this gift. Within a few seconds, I did a good coffee home from work. The coffee is really excellent, although it is perhaps a little expensive. Anyway, given the pleasure that I take to prepare and drink it, I think that there is no photo, it’s really a great gift.

So much for my gift ideas and gift very good that we made me lately. I now call on Olivier, Evret, Agatha, Horacio, Calissou and Homer. All those who pass by here and who would relay the chain are welcome. Let me comment here to tell me your participation, once you have made your contribution.

Christmas in Italy Natale happy chrismas

November 21st, 2007 admin No comments

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Christmas in Italy lasts for 3 days, from 24 to 26 December. On December 26, the Feast of St. Stephen, is a public holiday in Italy.

The nursery is originally from Italy. As reproduction of the barn, was published in Italy in churches in the fifteenth century. The family nurseries have developed in seventeenth-and eighteenth, especially with the Neapolitan creches very crude. According to tradition, families Italian install the nine days before the birth of Christ. The Christmas tree is made on 08 December by tradition (a holiday in Italy)

Christmas traditions vary from one region to another. In northern Italy, it’s Santa Claus, “Babo Natale,” or the Little Jesus, “Bambino Gesu ‘who bring gifts on December 25.

In Rome and southern Italy, “Befana”, which provides toys during the night of the Epiphany. La Befana is a witch elderly, but very nice.

Elsewhere, St. Lucia, Dec. 13. According to legend, St Lucia brought food to Christians hiding his friends in the catacombs.

No Christmas in Italy, without the traditional “Panettone”. This cake would have emerged around 1490 in Milan, but soon it passed across Italy. The Italians also enjoyed the Pandoro whose popularity closely follows the Panettone, it is of more recent origin. The cake is the typical panettone or pandoro, and not the log.

Christmas in Spain Navidad

November 21st, 2007 admin No comments

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In Spain, we call on the day of December 24 the day of the “Noche Buena”, which is very important. On the day of December 25 is less striking than the Noche Buena. As in Portugal, the midnight Mass is called the rooster.

In some regions of Spain, the Christmas log is covered with a blanket the days preceding Christmas. At Christmas, children dance around the log by typing it with a stick so that the log gives them candy.

The menu of the Christmas meal is almost always the same: roast lamb, turkey and seafood The most typical during all these holidays, it is the confectionery: “Turron” is a kind of nougat.

The Jackpot Christmas “El sorteo de Navidad” is a draw that is a tradition of more than a century

The day gifts is not Christmas is the day of Kings, Jan. 6: these are the Magi from the East who bring gifts. It is they who have given to Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh). Spain is the only country where Latin Santa Claus has not yet imposed.

Neither the day nor the day after Christmas are holidays in Spain

merry Christmas in Portugal Natal

November 21st, 2007 admin No comments

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There is not yet a lot of Christmas trees in Portugal. If there is no tree, there is a wooden Christmas. It is a notable tree that each village offers young people. They must cut it and bring it into a tank, highly decorated. That draw oxen. It is blessed on the steps of the church and it puts the fire Dec. 24 to burn overnight. It was burning Christmas log in the fireplace. It is also burning in cemeteries because of old beliefs say that the souls of the dead hang, on Christmas night.

In Portugal, on Christmas Eve is a public holiday, all attend midnight mass. At a time when sound o’clock, all the faithful are going to the local church to celebrate the Missa do Galo, literally “Mass of the Rooster.” According to the beliefs, a rooster would have sung on the morning of December 25, celebrating its way to the birth of Jesus Christ.

The famous “Bacalhau cozido (baked cod with potatoes and cabbage and sprinkled with olive oil) is the Christmas dish par excellence! The Christmas meal is sober until the debut of 13 desserts traditional. When Christmas dinner is finished, we left the table set for the deceased.

This is the baby Jesus who brings gifts and often not Santa Claus 2008.

Christmas in England Christmas 2007 2008

November 21st, 2007 admin No comments

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The English called Christmas “Christmas” which means Mass of Christ. This is not the birth of Christ that is raised, as in the Romance languages, but the Mass on Christmas Eve in Germany.

Christmas is celebrated in England with enthusiasm. Scandinavians and British are the champions of the Christmas festivities. The day after Christmas is a public holiday in England.

The “Christmas Carols” is the Christmas carol that children intone in the street to get some coins.

The “Christmas pudding“, which is eaten at the end of the Christmas meal, consists of a mix of dried fruit, sugar and alcohol covered with a white frosting of nearly one inch thick a wet and hot sauce to alcohol. This cake is preparing a month in advance, following the tradition five Sundays before Christmas, to macerate. It is traditional to hide 6 objects (ring, coin, button breeches …) in this cake.

It receives gifts and goodies in Christmas stockings.

The greeting cards are of Anglo, appeared in the fifteenth century, it does develop that eighteenth through the development of printing and lithography in particular. Everyone sends to people he knows and, in every home, the cards are hung from above the fireplace.

Christmas 2007 in Germany happy new year 2008

November 21st, 2007 admin No comments

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The Germans call Christmas 2007 “Weihnachten” which means solemn or Night “Heiligenachten” Holy Night. This is not the birth of Christ that is raised, as in the Romance languages, but the Mass of Christmas Eve as in England.

Christmas in Germany lasts two days. On 26 December is a holiday, this is the second Christmas day devoted to visiting families and friends.

Gifts for children are already given in the evening of December 24. This is not Santa Claus giving gifts, but the Christ-Kind. But on Dec. 6, children already receive the visit of Saint Nicolas.

For Christmas, the Germans attach great importance to the decoration of the house. You see fir wreaths hung on the gates, a series of electric candles on the window boxes. The Christmas market, which is very remarkable in Germany, is the opportunity to choose among the myriad of decorations.

The tradition of the Christmas log (christbrand) is evidenced in Germany since 1184.

The Christmas meal was not as much importance in France.

happy Christmas 2007 in Greece Christougenna

November 21st, 2007 admin No comments

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In Greece, Orthodox countries which had adopted the Gregorian calendar, we celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25 and not on January 7 as Russia. The period of the festive season begins on Christmas Eve and the Epiphany goes up, it spreads over a period of 12 days referred to as “dozen”. Christmas in Greece is less important than the feast of Easter.

On Christmas Eve, a frugal meal Eve closes a period of fasting for 40 days. It lies down early to attend mass, which begins at four o’clock in the morning. On 25 December, the return of the church, the whole family eats honey, dried fruit and the “Christopsomo” (literally “bread of Christ”) kind of nut cake that the lady of the house has prepared the day before and when she took care to leave the imprint of his hand symbol mark the fingers of Christ, proof he was born.

Traditionally, every house s’ornait of a model wooden boat decorated with a wreath light candles or small. The boat is the traditional emblem of Christmas in Greece. The Christmas tree made its appearance in Greece in 1839. In the Orthodox Church, it does not use the crib. On Christmas Day, the family went to the cemetery, a priest sang a psalm to the memory of the disappeared.

Gifts are not distributed at Christmas, but on January 1, when people were

Christmas in Russia Hristos Razdajetsja

November 21st, 2007 admin No comments

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In Russia, will be celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus on January 7. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII has produced the calendar reform so-called “Revolution”. But the Orthodox have refused to accept it. Thus, Russia will be celebrating Christmas according to the old Julian calendar, January 7, not Dec. 25, 13 days after Greece.

This Christmas is preceded by a Lent, which begins on Nov. 28 and ends on Christmas Day. The first Sunday of Lent, eating fish: it is the beginning of forty days scarce.

For the party, there is a large Christmas tree decorated and dance in circles around the Christmas tree. Outside the tree there in the Russian homes, or crib, or special decoration.

On the evening of Jan. 6, we go to the service, then s’attable for christmas (Soltchelnick). He was forbidden to eat before the appearance of the first star in tribute to one of Bethlehem who announced the Nativity to the Magi. It will be placed at the table and shared cakes bread azyme exchanging wishes of happiness and joy. After the meal, there is a duty to leave on the table a assiettée of polach (braided bread) between two lit candles in memory of the deceased of the family.

It eats pies stuffed with rice, mushrooms and onions, marinated specialties in the vinegar. The main course is a goose stuffed apples. We drink vodka and tea tchaï. The meal ends with two desserts: koutia (a mixture of wheat and fruit confis) and uzvar, (compote of dried fruit).

We are celebrating Christmas solemnly less than the New Year, which is celebrated in both January 1 and January 13. It is not up to Christmas that children receive their gifts, on the night of December 31 to January 1. Father Gel, also called the Father Frost, descends into chimneys to bring gifts to good children. He shared his work with Russian Babushka old woman.

A Russian legend tells that there is a 4th King mage, which leads the steppe on a sleigh pulled by reindeer and filled with gifts for children. Since 2000, he has waived find the baby Jesus, then it fills gifts children he meets along the way.

Christmas in Poland Boze Narodzenie

November 21st, 2007 admin No comments

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The “Christmas candle is lit on the evening of December 24 and burned until morning.

On 24 December, before a meal all children have directed our gaze to the sky because they await the appearance of the first star before we do this table. The star announced the debut of the party. In preparation for the Christmas table, it slid from the chaff below the water as a reminder that Jesus was born in a barn. Before we begin the meal, all share the pain azyme (oplatek), marked with scenes of the Nativity, with each other by offering their best wishes. There are similar practices in Lithuania. Meals on December 24 is thin (no meat), since Christmas Eve, it is fast. It is the meal of Dec. 25. That gives rise to the festivities with a turkey stuffed.
The tradition of the Christmas crib arrived in Poland with Franciscan thirteenth century. The nursery has two floors: the Nativity above and below the national heroes. The manger of Krakow is a very remarkable synthesis of the city, it is its soul and its charm, but also the hope brought by Christmas.
Gifts are given to children at the feast of Saint Nicolas on December 6.

Christmas in the Scandinavian countries Denmark Norway Sweden

November 21st, 2007 admin No comments

The Scandinavian Christmas called “Jul”. They adopted the name of the pre-Christian celebration of the winter solstice “the wheel” which expresses the solstice year again.

The pre-Christian feast of Jul

This festival (Jul, Jol, Yule) was took place in the Nordic countries and Saxon (Yule) on the day of the winter solstice on Dec. 24. She celebrated the birth of the sun god of the child born from the sun goddess. The name means Yule wheel is the wheel of the year turns once again to the spring. It was the beginning of a period of 12 nights from December 24 to January 8, and it symbolized the winter night, the longest nights of the year, during which prepares the rebirth of light and vegetation. It was at once a celebration of the sun and fertility. This world of the night was also a time when the dead were honored.

For the feast of Jul, we brought in a log house oak representing the sacred fire. They also planted a tree in front of the house. The tree still green symbolized the triumph of nature over the winter.

The Christian feast of Jul

The word “jul” original pre-Christian became the name of the Christian festival of Christmas which has adopted certain customs and some pre-Christian symbols. The birth of Jesus means night victory over the dark. On 24 December, depositing a candle on each grave. The day before and after Christmas Day are holidays in Norway.

For Christmas dinner, it leaves an empty place at the table for meals souls of the deceased of the family. Once the meal savored, the Christmas tree is lit. Then, in some families, the ritual of reading the Gospel Christmas.

Then we get up, everybody gives his hand. The whole family sings Christmas songs and dance around the Christmas tree. They form two circles around the Christmas tree. As soon as everyone sings, the first circle turn right and the second to the left. When the singing stops throughout the world is changing and we circle again with another song.

The gifts are given to the feast of St. Lucia, Dec. 13.

Finland and the country of Santa Claus

November 21st, 2007 admin No comments

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CHRISTMAS is a feast prepared at length and in November created the first decorations and “Pikku Joulu” noëls small, are already valid. From the beginning of December, Pikku Joulu are organized within firms and schools, but most often it is a feast entr’amis. These pikku joulu are part of the Finnish tradition since 1920. It eats a lot (especially if it happens in a restaurant), including confectionery, Piparkakut (cupcakes shaped about Christmas) and they drink the famous Gloggy (mulled wine). In general, after a plantureux meals, games are organized (a bit like those held in the summer camps), and then we dance until a late hour (12-4h00 all depends on the operator). This festival is a good way to unwind, drinking a lot. I strongly to a tourist does little for Finland, participate in a Little Christmas, during a cruise. These are the worst! I remember a Little Christmas that we celebrated in the countryside … At the end of the feast, a very respectable politician was in an advanced state of intoxication. He took refuge under the table of the room to eat! The Finns Finnish do not sing much, unlike suèdophones. This is a personal comment (Nadine). In the United States, Finno-Américains have preserved the tradition, in their own way.

For the church, this is the first Sunday of Advent, which opens officially the Christmas season. But there are already many organized events before that. Every year, Santa Claus makes his entrance official in Helsinki. This year, Santa Claus has come to Rovaniemi on November 24 and arrived in steam train station in Helsinki. Then, accompanied by his wife, his elves and his reindeer, Santa has paraded through the streets and lit garlands of the city. The festivities are launched.
  The month of December will be dotted with important dates, including 6: celebration of the independence of Finland, and the 13: celebration of Saint Lucia. This feast comes from a popular tradition in Sweden, introduced in Finland in 1950 by the Swedish minority. It is to be elected among ten young girls, the Finnish National Lucie (voted by the public and it is often an act of charity).
Lucia makes his first appearance on Dec. 13, she is dressed in a long white robe and head covering a crown of candles lit. During the rest of the month, she will visit the hospitaux, schools, celebrations of Christmas and delivers a message of light, hope and charity.
To wait for the big day, all children in Finland décomptent day from December through their schedule of Advent.
On the eve of Christmas Day, we went to the cemetery, when a parent has disappeared. This tradition takes place at 18 h00. You put a candle on the grave of the deceased. It is also an opportunity to pay tribute to the soldiers who died in Finland during the Winter War.
On Christmas Day:
As for Christmas … This is a whole program. In general, there must be a large clean-up to Christmas, prepare Christmas dinner, during a good week before the party.

On 25 and 26 December are public holidays in Finland. On 24, the stores will be opened only in the morning. Christmas is a family celebration par excellence.

On Christmas day, we eat, took the sauna (to wash his sins of the year, this is my interpretation – Nadine), it listens to the speeches of Peace Christmas broadcast live from Turku, then, we receive family members, drink coffee. It decorates the Christmas tree. Then, “JOULUPUKKI” (the name of Santa Claus in Finnish) comes to 18 h00. It is a very long wait for the children … And for some adults, too. It distributes gifts on December 24. Santa or one of his elves distributes gifts!

In Finland, there are people (students or others) who act as Joulupukki, and just distribute gifts at home. To hire a Joulupukki, it is necessary to read the small ads in the newspaper or on the display, and there’s even a Santas who speak french!
And once gifts unpacked, the feast can begin.

The Christmas meal is varied and there are traditionally: rosolli: salad with carrots, beets, eggs, herring, pickles, with a cream sauce.
 Herring prepared with different sauces.
Pig Christmas with mashed potatoes, mashed carrots, mashed turnips.
Porridge Christmas with a coulis of prunes.

This is the traditional menu. There are alternatives. For example, we eat foie gras, instead of herring. The pig may be replaced by a turkey, salmon …
On 25 December generally rests. On Christmas Day happens in the family, in contrast to Saint Etienne on 26, it is customary to visit his relations, friends.
In Finland, it sends a lot of greeting cards for Christmas! It distributes calendars with the dates for sending them. Now, e-mail and laptops compete mail! And the sellers of greeting cards!

Santa receives thousands of letters from all over the world entier.Bien on, Joulupukki responds to each of his correspondents. (In the language of the country) It is possible to send a letter to Santa, visit Rovaniemi