It was snowing. There lived a happy family. They had three children named Jack, Lucy, John and a dog named Buck. Jack was the youngest in the house and his sister and brother played pranks that he didn’t like.

 One day Jack got sick so his mother had to leave him alone at home but he didn’t want that. His father was in a meeting and his sister and brother were at school so he decided to go to work only for an hour. 

Jack was lying in bed with his dog and they were playing different games. One moment he looked out of the window and saw thieves breaking into his neighbor’s house. Jack wanted to call the police but realized that they would run away when the police come so he didn’t call.

 Jack had to stay at home for a second day. He saw how the thieves were breaking into another house. Jack and his dog worked together and caught the thieves. Everyone felt safe again and enjoyed the New Year.

Author: Mariam Lomtadze

It was December 24th. August woke up and felt nervous. He didn’t like the Christmas holidays and it was so cold. Santa Claus never made his wishes come true. All he wanted was to be an ordinary kid. Unfortunately this seemed impossible. August Pullman ran away from his room angrily.

August’s mom heard his anger and felt sorry for him.

• “Why don’t you like Christmas?” – Asked mum.
• “Because, I can’t wear a mask and I have to look happy” – said August. 
• “Santa Claus is so kind and he gives presents to children.” – said mum.
• “Santa Claus isn’t fulfilling my wishes. I want to be an ordinary kid. Santa can’t transform me into a normal kid.” – August said.

August went out to the living room. Suddenly, he saw a beautiful Christmas tree. 

• “What a beautiful Christmas tree we have.” – said August.
• “Augie, can you help me bake gingerbread men cookies.” -said mom
• “Of course.” – August answered.

         Augie went to the kitchen 

      -“I can help you shape the gingerbread men.” – said August.

Mum brought the dough, and started kneading it. August shaped a dough man with a ruined face and only one eye.

• “What is it?” – asked mum, very surprised.
• “It’s me.” – answered August.

August enjoyed Christmas and spending time with his mom. 

Author: Nikolas Chichinadze

       Hi, my name is Mulan and today I will be telling you about some traditions in China. Before I do, I need to tell you that Christmas is not a Christian holiday here.

       Christmas is celebrated the same as Valentines day. We spend the day with our friends and overall it is a lighthearted holiday.

        To your shock it is not a public holiday. Some families do not celebrate it, so you might have to go to work or to school. 

      My family celebrates it every year but I should probably tell you that in Hong Kong and Macau they celebrate it and people enjoy a two day public holiday.

 More often people give each other ‘Peace Apples’ wrapped beautifully. It is wrapped in cellophane. In Mandarin, Christmas Eve is sometimes translated as “Ping’an Ye” which literally means “Silent Night.”  Apple in Chinese is “Ping guo”, which sounds like peace, thus the gifting of apples. If you eat this apple, you will have peace and safety throughout the year.

A Christmas Surprise:

        On Christmas day my sister and I went  to a ‘Chinese Shadow Puppet Play’ and after that we were planning to give each other the presents we had bought for one another. There was one problem. I was not sure what to give her. I was thinking of getting her an apple wrapped in cellophane, and had high hopes that she would like it. 

        Later on, at the end of the day, It appeared that we both coincidentally gave each other the same present. We laughed a little  and then we went back home. 

Author: Rusudan Jalaghonia