6 boxes planted on November 10, 2002
Planted by IrishTinker and her elf Rosie Bunny
About 1 1/2 hours

From the Intersection of Rte.6 & 198 turn on Rte 198 and follow 2.5 miles. Turn LEFT on Pumpkin Hill Rd. Follow just over a mile, it will be the third green gate on the left.

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year! We have so many different traditions right here in the USA but where do they derive from? This trail was designed to show you just that. I hope that as you stamp in the log books you take the time to jot down what some of your family traditions and memories are.

1. Mexico - The Legend of the Poinsettia

In Mexico the children traditionally celebrate by bringing gifts to the church for the Christ child. According to legend Pepita, a young Mexican girl had no money to buy a gift or possession to give. Her cousin explained that a gift given in love no matter what the gift, is the greatest gift of all. Pepita gathered a small bouquet of weeds and placed them at the altar where they burst into brilliant red flowers. They were called Flores de Noche Buena, Flowers of the Holy Night. Spanish For Merry Christmas is Feliz Navidad.

To find this box enter the trail around the green gate. Walk until you see an oak tree with 6 trunks growing out of one base. It is a beautiful tree! Walk to the back side of the tree and look where the trunks all connect. After stamping return to the path.

2. Sweden - St. Lucia Day

Swedes start celebrating the winter holidays on December 13 in honor of St. Lucia. St. Lucia was an early follower of Jesus. At a time when Christianity was outlawed some followers would meet to pray in underground caves. St. Lucia would take them food secretly. She would wear a crown of candles on her head to light her way keeping her hands free to carry the food. Girls today still remember St Lucia by wearing a wreath of ever-greens, crowned with candles, white dress and red sash. Swedish for Merry Christmas is God Jul och Gott Nytt Ar.

To find the St. Lucia Day Box walk until the pond comes into view on the right. There will be a dead stump on the left. Walk 11 paces. You will see another stump on the left, to the right is a shallow hole with 2 large rocks behind it. Behind the larger of the 2 under sticks and leaves you will find the box. Back to path.

As I am sure you can tell by my name, this one is dear to my heart. All four of my Grandparents were born and raised in Ireland and the Irish traditions (year round) have been kept very much alive in my family’s home. Placing a lighted candle in the window on Christmas has a number of purposes. The primary purpose is to welcome Mary & Joseph as they traveled looking for shelter. The lit candle also signaled priests that the home was a safe place to celebrate mass during the time that this was outlawed.

To find a candle in the window Continue until you come to a Y. Turn right. The pond will get very close on your right. See the beaver’s home? When you pass the pond the trail comes to an end. Take 12 paces to a dead tree leaning on a living tree. Walk another 2 paces to a large rock. Look on the north side.

The Polish holiday starts with the celebration of Wigilia. Families fast for 24 hours on Christmas Eve. Children wait by the window for the first star to show itself. When it does it is declared the Star of Bethlehem and the family gathers around the table for a 12 coarse feast! Before they start to eat each person breaks off a piece of wafer that is handed around the table. The wafer is called Oplatek. An extra place is always set at the table in case a visitor or the Holy Spirit should arrive. The Children then go to sleep and await the star men or wise men to bring them gifts and treats. Polish for Merry Christmas is Wesolych Swiati Szczesliwego Norwego Roka.

To find this box go back to the Y in the trail. Turn right. Walk 25 paces. Turn left and walk 12 paces off the trail to a tree whose roots clutch rocks. To the back is the box. Back to the path.

5. Italy / Bethlehem / - The Nativity

The Nativity is obviously the scene of Christ’s birth in a little town called Bethlehem. Homes around the world have statues commemorating the scene which they display at Christmas.

The Nativity also had a special start in Italy. St Francis of Assisi started the tradition of a living Nativity or what we would call a Christmas pageant, in a cave on the side of a mountain in Italy.

Italian for Merry Christmas is Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo .

To find this box continue on the path until it turns right. Soon you will see three large rocks on the left by a dead tree. Look under the south west point of the largest rock. After stamping in walk to the base of the dead tree.

6. Santa Claus Around The World

How could we talk about Christmas traditions with out mentioning "Jolly Old St. Nicholas"

He goes by many names and appearances around the world but one thing never changes no matter what country you are in. Kids have trouble sleeping bubbling over with excitement at the thought of his visit.

Santa’s Other names; Austria - Christkind, Belgium - Noel, Black Pete, or St Nicholas, Brazil - Papa Noel, Denmark - Julinisse, England - Father Christmas, France - PereNoel, Germany - Kris Kringle, Italy - Befana, Japan - Santa Kurohsa, Spain & Mexico - Three Kings, Poland- Starmen or Wisemen, Russia - Basbouschka.

To Find this box stand at the tree base and take a reading of 330* walk 10 paces to flat rocks and find your box!

I hope you enjoyed this series whether you did it at Christmas or in July!

I felt like I could have hidden 100 boxes with all the wonderful Christmas traditions there are in the world. It was so hard to narrow them down! Please remember when stamping to add any interesting holiday traditions or memories you have ! Rehide well. There is a special little Christmas "gift" for the first 10 finders hidden in one of the boxes. Merry Christmas!

Before you set out, please read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.