While Christmas is meant to be a happy time, sometimes little children approached the season with a bit of dread over what St Nick might discover about them.

He is the one who could eventually put you in the sack if you hadn't been a nice child that year.

Coming up in the hour ahead, we're celebrating the Christmas traditions of our friends from

near and far.

In Venice, the canals are being brightened with a regatta of

decorated boats. A parade for boats and everybody has to if you want to

participate you got a dress up like Santa Claus. While long ago in the English countryside,

neighbors would spill a little cider in their apple orchards.

That's how Wausailing got started.

The village would march down to the orchard,

banging drums and making a lot of noise to get rid of the evil

spirits.

Let's get ready to close out one of the strangest years in our lifetimes with warm Christmas

memories from Holland and Venice, Santa Fe and wherever you are. warm Christmas Hey, I'm Rick Steeves. You can experience my favorite European people, places, and stories in my newest book,

For the Love of Europe. Order your copy today at Rick Steeves.com.

In a all around the world. But we've got our memories and our desire to make new ones.

So today on Travel with Rick Steve's we're celebrating holiday traditions like you'll

find in Holland, England, Venice, and Santa Fe.

And if travel is part of your December traditions,

let's hear where you like to go this time a year.

Let's start with what the holidays were like growing up in the Netherlands.

That's where Elizabeth Van Hest was born and raised.

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