Post by braided-rug on Dec 30, 2007 9:36:09 GMT 10
I enjoyed reading the first piece of this article. 
"An Amish Christmas
As might be expected, Amish Christmas customs are simple, oriented to the family and the religious meaning of the holiday. So, Amish children don’t visit Santa Claus in the store. There is no lavishly decorated Christmas tree in the home. And strings of colorful electric lights do not grace the front of the Amish house. But the making of special cookies and candies is certainly a part of the holiday activities. Greens and candles may decorate some home interiors. School children often pick names and exchange small gifts, such as writing paper or a needlepoint kit. Families usually exchange some small gifts as well. Some Amish also send Christmas cards, often to their "English" friends.
The Christmas church service may or may not be held on December 25th, but both Christmas and the following day, sometimes called "second Christmas," are holidays for the Amish. This second day is usually one of relaxation or visiting others. Christmas dinners are a special part of the celebration, These are usually large meals, not unlike those served at weddings, and various groups beside the family will hold get-togethers, such as single women, teachers, and others of like interest. These gatherings may continue into January and February of the New Year."
www.amishnews.com/amisharticles/amishchristmas.htm
Read a more detailed version here:
www.theamishquilt.com/index.html
Very good reading.
Here is a recipe:
www.amishrecipes.net/recipes.php/110/Amish-Christmas-Cookies/Dessert/
www.dnronline.com/flavor_details.php?AID=13975&sub=Amish%20Cook
"An Amish Christmas
As might be expected, Amish Christmas customs are simple, oriented to the family and the religious meaning of the holiday. So, Amish children don’t visit Santa Claus in the store. There is no lavishly decorated Christmas tree in the home. And strings of colorful electric lights do not grace the front of the Amish house. But the making of special cookies and candies is certainly a part of the holiday activities. Greens and candles may decorate some home interiors. School children often pick names and exchange small gifts, such as writing paper or a needlepoint kit. Families usually exchange some small gifts as well. Some Amish also send Christmas cards, often to their "English" friends.
The Christmas church service may or may not be held on December 25th, but both Christmas and the following day, sometimes called "second Christmas," are holidays for the Amish. This second day is usually one of relaxation or visiting others. Christmas dinners are a special part of the celebration, These are usually large meals, not unlike those served at weddings, and various groups beside the family will hold get-togethers, such as single women, teachers, and others of like interest. These gatherings may continue into January and February of the New Year."
www.amishnews.com/amisharticles/amishchristmas.htm
Read a more detailed version here:
www.theamishquilt.com/index.html
Very good reading.
Here is a recipe:
www.amishrecipes.net/recipes.php/110/Amish-Christmas-Cookies/Dessert/
www.dnronline.com/flavor_details.php?AID=13975&sub=Amish%20Cook