Top Ten Holiday Delicacies from Around the World

Ever wonder how people in other countries celebrate winter festivities, and what they eat? These international holiday delicacies show us a little bit about how others celebrate winter and religious festivals at the close of the year. Journey around the world and get a taste of ten traditional holiday foods unique and special to distinct countries.

Sorrel Recipe from Vegetarian Times

Jamaica – Sorrel

Sorrel is a traditional Christmas drink made from dried parts of the sorrel (a meadow plant), cinnamon, cloves, sugar, orange peel and rum, served over ice. The warm tropical weather of Jamaica means iced drinks are in order for the holidays, and incorporating native plants creates a recipe unique to the island.

Chili – Cola de Mono – Chilean Eggnog
This Chilean eggnog is a part of both Christmas and New Year’s Eve traditions. Usually homemade, the recipe varies but popular ingredients include milk, sugar, alcohol, coffee, cloves and vanilla beans.

United Kingdom - Christmas Pudding

United Kingdom map from mapsales.com

A traditional treat in England, Christmas Puddings are made from many dried fruits, spices, alcohol and held together by egg. The high content of alcohol allows the pudding to be aged for a month or even a year without spoiling, enhancing the flavor.

Greece – Loukoumades – Donuts

Loukoumades are pastries made of fried dough, soaked in sugary syrup or honey, and then covered with cinnamon and sometimes powered sugar. These pastries are often made as treats for Hanukkah in the Jewish tradition.

Mince Pies recipe from FoodHub

New Zealand – Christmas Mince Pies

Historically, ground beef with dried fruit and alcohol were baked into pie dough, though today mincemeat pies are usually made without meat at all. Strongly associated with Christmas, the three spices traditionally used in mince pies –cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon- are said to represent the three gifts given to the Christ child by the Magi.

Korea – Duk Gook – Rice Cake Soup

Korean Duk Gook, a soup filled with Korean rice cakes is eaten on the Winter Solstice or New Year’s Day. It is considered good luck to eat as many rice balls from the soup as years you have lived.

South Africa – Malvapoeding – Marshmallow Pudding

South Africa map from mapsales.com

Malvapoding, or marshmallow pudding, is smothered in a heavy cream and sugar-filled sauce, creating a spongy texture similar to marshmallows. The name ‘Malva’ came from Malvacea wine that Dutch colonists used to serve with the pudding in the 17^th century.

Medianyky recipe at The Ryersonian

Ukraine – Medianyky – Honey Cookies

These honey cookies look like lace and are cut into stars, crescents or circles. A popular tradition is to hang them on low branches of the Christmas tree for children to eat.

Hungary, Germany, Austria – krambambuli - Spicy Punch

This spicy punch is made with chamomile flowers, chopped fruit, candied orange peel, walnuts, sugar, rum, brandy and more. The specific recipe varies from family to family and country to country, but always a popular warm choice for wintertime festivities.

Philippines – Tsokolate – Hot Chocolate

Phillipines Map from mapsales.com

On Christmas day, families in the Philippines gather and drink tsokolate, a native chocolate drink made with egg yolks, milk and chocolate. Traditionally a batirol, a whisk with a spiky head, is used to make the hot chocolate.

Interested in Exploring the World on Wall Maps of your favorite countries and locations? Wall Maps make great gifts; use coupon code GIFT5642 at checkout to receive 15% off your order! Offer ends Tuesday, December 17th. 

Vintage Wall Maps: Interior Decor with Vintage Maps

Continuing our interior décor series, mapsales.com shows how to display beautiful large vintage maps. If you’re impatient and don’t want to spend time scouring flea markets and secondhand shops for old maps, simply make a new map look old! Add some wooden rails to give any map a vintage charm. I’ve found some great examples of gorgeous wooden vintage maps on pinterest recently and I’ll show you how to get the look!

Choose any map and add wooden rails to create a vintage wall map.

Get a vintage wall map of Europe.

Get this wooden rails vintage map.

Get this vintage world map with wooden rails.

Maps with wooden rails establish a classic, vintage classroom style instantly!

I’ve also spotted some nifty DIY Map Crafts and Artwork across the web and on pinterest.

A penchant for the unusual? Take a look at the oddest, most bizarre maps.

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Texas State Maps: Best Wall Maps of Texas

Texas State Maps with roads, cities, counties, outlines, colors and more!

mapsales.com has compiled a list of our favorite Texas State Maps. Whether you're planning a trip, marking business locations or decorating your home, if Texas holds a place in your heart, the beautiful state terrain belongs on your walls too!

Texas Satellite Wall Map 

This Texas State Map shows what TX looks like from space! The striking map combines images obtained from NASA's Landsat satellites with 3-D shading to provide an image of Texas unlike anything you've ever seen. High resolution satellite imagery and clear visibility of individual crop fields  rivers, urban areas, and even large airports make this Texas Wall Map stand out in vivid detail. Order the largest size which will fit your wall to enhance the visibility of detail. Enjoy the natural beauty of the state of Texas with a Texas Satellite Wall Map!

Texas County Outline Map

This Texas State Map features county names and boundaries with major cities. The clear county borders and lack of clutter make this state map great for businesses! Use dry erase markers to write on this laminated map. Color in your county, or your business's market areas on this Texas County Outline Map.

Texas Zip Code Map with Cities

This Texas State Map features a beautiful red colorcasting of all major highways and roads across Texas. Find all major cities on this Texas Map with cities. Insets feature road maps of 17 metro areas. With 5 digit zip codes and a zip code grid locator, the Texas Zip Code Map shows the details you need for finding locations and planning road trips!

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The Best Wall Map Ideas for the Home

Ever see those beautiful maps on Pinterest and wondered where to buy them and how to decorate with maps? We've scouted out some beautiful wall map decor ideas for the home, and how you can get the same maps!

Bold USA Wall Map for the Bedroom

This USA Wall Map looks great over a master or guest bed. The blue, red and yellow primary color scheme is consistent throughout the room. Following the color scheme in a map is an easy way to make design choices for a room!

We found where to buy this USA Executive Wall Map below!

Get this USA Executive Wall Map!

A Wall Map Across the Entire Wall

This room is one of our favorites, and it's popular on pinterest as well! The white and brown color scheme allows the blue of the beautiful oceans to really pop.

I just imagine having an intimate dinner here with friends just back from vacation. We'd be able to see exactly where they'd gone on this map! And, we found this same Political Wall Map for sale online. You can get it as large as 9x12 feet!

Political World Wall Map

Unusual Thematic Wall Maps for Modern Decor

This wall map hangs over the bed with wooden railings. Just like an old vintage classroom map!

The stark white combined with bright pops of color add life to the room. The hanging lights draw the focus further to the focal piece of the room, the World Climate Wall Map! This unusual wall map features bright bold colors for a modern design.

World Climate Wall Map Available on Spring Rollers

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