How is Christmas celebrated around the world and are traditions?
Christmas is a worldwide holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus in Christianity. Various traditions are celebrated around it, such as: Santa Claus, Christmas trees, gifts and special foods are a common denominator in most countries. Below is a brief detail of how some countries celebrate Christmas.
Japan: KFC for Christmas Dinner
In Japan still relatively new. It’s only been widely recognized for the past couple of decades, and is typically seen as a time to spread joy and cheer, or even a romantic couple’s day, instead of a religious holiday. Many order KFC for Christmas dinner, or make a reservation at a restaurant instead of cooking a big feast.
Poland: People Share a Pre-Dinner Wafer
Many Polish communities worldwide, Christmas Eve dinner or (Wigilia) begins with sharing the Oplateck (paper-thin square wafer made of flour and water) has an image of the Nativity on it. Everyone at the table breaks off a piece and shares a holiday greeting before passing it along.
Slovakia and its tradition of carp dinner
People enjoy carp for Christmas Eve Dinner. They let the fish live in the bathtub for a couple of days before preparing and eating it. The scales bring luck and good fortune for the coming year.
Sweden: St. Lucia’s Day
In Sweden, Finland, and Norway, St. Lucia Day is a special part of the Christmas season that commemorates a woman said to be one of the first Christian martyrs. Celebrations involve candlelit processions, with the eldest girl in each family dressed up like St. Lucia in white gowns, often wearing a wreath with candles. The girls will also serve the family S-shaped Lucia buns and coffee or mulled wine.
The Netherlands and the festive in Christmas
In the Netherlands, the festive season is marked by two distinct celebrations: Sinterklaas and Christmas. While Sinterklaas is a centuries-old Dutch tradition, Sinterklaas, based on Saint Nicholas, is celebrated annually on December 5, known as Sinterklaas Avond or the eve of St. Nicholas’ birthday. This celebration is separate from Christmas, which begins on December 25 and is called Eerste Kerstdag or the first day of Christmas.Kicking off the festive season, Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands around mid-November. This exciting event is marked by parades and celebrations in various cities and towns, with Sinterklaas riding his white horse, accompanied by his helper, Black Peter. The arrival of Sinterklaas is a beloved Dutch tradition that sparks anticipation and excitement for the upcoming holiday season.
During this time, Dutch children eagerly leave their shoes filled with hay, carrots, and sugar for Sinterklaas’s horse, hoping to receive small gifts and treats in return. This heartwarming tradition epitomizes the spirit of Dutch Christmas and creates unforgettable memories for children and their families.Christmas in the Netherlands is celebrated over two days, known as First and Second Christmas Day. On December 25, or Eerste Kerstdag, Dutch families gather to wish each other a Merry Christmas and indulge in holiday feasts. This day is often spent at home, enjoying the company of close family members and participating in activities such as playing games and watching movies.
On Christmas Eve, December 26, or Tweede Kerstdag, the celebrations continue with many Dutch families attending church services or visiting extended family and friends. This additional day of celebration allows for further bonding and enjoyment among loved ones, reinforcing the importance of family and togetherness during the festive season.
Indonesia and its Christmas Traditions
Although most people in Indonesia (about 85%) are Muslims, about 10% of the population are Christians – that’s still about 20 million people! Indonesian Christians love to celebrate Christmas!
Indonesian Christians usually go to church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In most churches and cathedrals, people create nativity scenes and use them as part of the Nativity drama performance.
In Indonesia, Santa Claus is also very popular and is called ‘Sinterklass’ (that’s because Indonesia used to be ruled by The Netherlands). Sinterklass brings presents to children on Christmas Day – and you also might see him in shopping malls, etc.! Exchanging presents is common among Christians in Indonesia.
Cookies are a must-have food during Christmas in Indonesia. Some popular types of cookies include ‘Nastar’ a butter cookie with pineapple jam filling, cheese cookies called ‘Kastengel’ and ‘Putri Salju’ or ‘Snow White’ cookies, a butter cookie covered with powdered sugar and cheese!
Canada and its Cultural Diversity at Christmas
Canada is a very large country and people of many different cultural backgrounds live there. Because of this, there are lots of different Christmas traditions in Canada. Many of the traditions and celebrations come from French, English, Irish, Scottish, German, Norwegian, Ukrainian and native/first nation influences.
The main Christmas meal is often roast turkey with vegetables and ‘all the trimmings’ like mashed potatoes and vegetables. Traditional favorite Christmas desserts include Christmas/plum puddings and mincemeat tarts. Christmas crackers are popular with many people in Canada as well. A rich fruit Christmas Cake is also normally eaten around Christmas time!
The Santa Claus Parade in Toronto is one of the oldest and largest Santa parades in the world! It started in 1913 when Santa was pulled through the streets of Toronto. Children along the route followed Santa and marched along with him. It’s been taking place for over 100 years and now is a huge event with over 25 animated floats and 2000 people taking part! It’s broadcast on TV around the world.
Greece: Christmas Trees and Boats
In the seafaring country of Greece, decorating Christmas trees and boats has been popular for centuries. The first known Christmas tree in Greece was put up by King Otto 1833 next to a large decorated boat, which families traditionally erected to celebrate men’s return from sea voyages. Today, in cities like Athens and Thessaloniki, large lit-up boats appear alongside trees.
Ethiopia: Christmas Processions
In Ethiopia, people celebrate Christmas, called Ganna or Genna, on January 7 in accordance with the Ethiopian Orthodox Calendar. Mass often begins with a special candelit procession, in which participants wear a thin white shawl called a Netela and process around the church three times before the service begins. They don’t typically give gifts during Ganna; it’s a time for church, games and of course, food.
Germany: Christmas Markets
In Germany, you can do your christmas shoppings, with a mug of mulled wine in one hand and a bratwurst in the other at festive outdoor markets. The seasonal markets pop up all over the country with artisans selling gifts for everyone on your list. Germany, Santa Claus generally still takes the appearance of the traditional Roman Catholic bishop, St. Nicholas. Kids prepare for his arrival by placing freshly polished boots and carrots for the bishop’s horse outside their doors. On Dec. 6, St. Nicholas Day, the bishop goes house to house with a book describing the children’s deeds. Depending on whether they were naughty or nice, he fills their boots with either something good, like sweets, or something not so good, like twigs.
Philippines: Nochebuena and Lots of Lights
Filipinos take the Christmas season seriously, with big Noche buena parties on Christmas Eve. Many will attend Mass, called Misa de Riso in the evening, and then feast and dance into the wee hours. Decorations often go big too, with the parol, a lighted star lantern, featuring prominently.
Austria: Krampus Hunts for Naughty Children
You thought coal in your stocking was bad? In Austria and Bavaria, St. Nicholas gifts good kids gifts, while Krampus, the half-man, half-goat comes around the drag the bad ones away. In some places, men dress up as the scary character for a Krampuslauf, or “Krampus run” in which they parade through the streets to blow off steam — and scare some kids back into line.
England: Stockings Hung on Bedposts With Care
In Britain, children hang their stockings at the ends of their beds instead. That way, they wake up to a sweet surprise .England is the country that celebrates Christmas the earliest. The decoration for this holiday starts usually in mid-november and many families decorate their houses with lights, leaves and Christmas Trees. Christmas itself is celebrated on December 25th and 26th, as both are national holidays. Gifts are exchanged on December 26. The country’s favorite dishes for this date are roasted turkey and potatoes, red cabbage and brussels sprouts. It is also a tradition in the country to organize and give food to homeless people and shelters.
Singapore: Serious Light Displays
Singapore’s Orchard Road shopping district buzzes with activity all year round but during the Christmas season, it twinkles with some of the most impressive decorations in the world. Residents also visit Gardens on the Bay for a jaw-dropping Christmas village display. We wouldn’t mind getting stuck in traffic with that kind of view to pass the time.
Switzerland: Kids Get Advent Calendars
Advent Calendars are especially big is Switzerland Some parents make them for their children, while others purchase unique ones tailored to their kids’ interests. They open a new little treat every day, with the biggest one arriving on Christmas Eve.
Mexico: All-Night Parties With Piñatas
Mexico celebrates Christmas Eve, with a huge feast, singing and dancing, and a piñata for the kids. This is a special time for family and togetherness. Many catholics visit church and celebrate attending a special mass. “Las Posadas” is also a popular celebration throughout this period. It is a 9 nights celebration where people dress as Mary and Joseph, reenacting the moments before Jesus was born.
Denmark and Christmas Eve
In Denmark, Christmas also starts on December 23. However, Danish people celebrate the date with meals on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Their traditional dishes include goose, duck, red cabbage and potatoes. Did you know that they also have a dessert tradition?Danishes usually serve a rice pudding with whipped cream that contains a whole almond. Whoever finds it wins a treat that can be either chocolate or marzipan.
France – Christmas from December 6t
Christmas in France has its official start on December 6. On this day, children across the country receive candy and gifts from the grown-ups. On Christmas Eve, many people put their shoes in front of their houses’ chimneys, in hope that Santa Claus – known in France as Père Noël – will leave some sweets for them. Decoration is also really important for the French Christmas. That is why it is one of the most known cities in terms of Holiday Decoration. It is said that the romantic aspect of the city is even more enhanced at this time of the year.
Germany – Christmas Markets and Fairs
Germany hosts a number of Christmas fairs and markets during december. Not only does the government decorate the cities, but the population is very committed to it. However, Christmas trees are usually set up only on December 24’s morning. There, Christmas is celebrated on December 25th and 26th, which is known as “Zweiter Feiertag” (something like “second celebration”). On this day, many families go together to church, as it is also a public holiday in the country. In south Germany, children write letters to Santa to ask for presents.
Italy – Christmas Celebration From December 8th
Italy celebrates Christmas starting from December 8 with decorations and Christmas Trees. The presepe in the houses it’s a long time tradition, also known as the Christmas crib scene. This goes back to the XII century in the country. It is also common for italian children to sing on the stepdoors in their cities. Usually they eat seafood before people go to the Miss at Midnight.
Happy Holidays ! Don’t’ forget to share a cookie, chocolate or sweet with your love ones and remind them how much you appreciate them.
