Christmas is an incredibly popular annual celebration that is enjoyed by people all over the world. Although many countries celebrate the holiday in a similar way, there are some traditions that are unique to different cultures. Here are some of the ways Christmas is celebrated around the world.
In the United States, Christmas is celebrated with the traditional decorations of a Christmas tree, lights, and stockings hung from the mantle. Many families exchange gifts, have special meals, and attend church services. Others participate in activities such as caroling, ice skating, or visiting Santa’s workshop. Some families also practice the tradition of the “Secret Santa” which involves the anonymous gifting of small presents to family and friends.
In the Philippines, giant parols (lanterns) are hung from windows and are a symbol of the birth of Jesus Christ. These can be seen for miles around in cities, towns, and villages. During Christmas time, many Filipinos also practice a tradition called “Simbang Gabi”, a series of nine dawn masses that begin on December 16th and end on Christmas Eve. On the final day of the masses, families, and friends gather to celebrate with feasting and fireworks.
In Norway, families decorate a small evergreen tree called a Julgransplassen, which translates to “Christmas Tree Place”. The tree is often decorated with ribbons, ornaments, and candles. On Christmas Eve, people gather around the tree to light the candles and give thanks. Traditional Norwegian Christmas celebrations also begin with Advent, the season of anticipation leading up to Christmas. During Advent, many Norwegians will begin decorating their homes and participate in lightings of the first of four Advent candles. This Festival of Lights honors the spirit of the season.
In Australia, Christmas is celebrated in a variety of ways, with barbecues and swimming at the beach being common activities among many families. It is not uncommon to find Christmas trees decorated with plastic fruit and other upside-down trappings. Australians also celebrate the tradition of Boxing Day, where they open boxes with presents they have received over the Christmas season.
Known as La Navidad in Mexico, Christmas is the most important religious holiday of the year, observed each year on December 25. One of the most unique customs of La Navidad in Mexico is the Posadas. The name “Posadas“ means lodging in Spanish and this tradition celebrates the nine days before Christmas. People gather and sing traditional songs, mostly from the ancient Aztec language, while they ask for shelter at different homes. This is in remembrance of Joseph and Mary‘s search for the inn on the night of the birth of Jesus. At each house visited, the people are usually invited in and provided with food and drinks.
In Japan, Christmas is celebrated but in a different way than it is in many western countries. Instead of a religious holiday, Christmas in Japan is largely seen as a time for family and friends to get together and exchange gifts. Christmas Eve is the main celebration day in Japan, and couples often go out for dinner and exchange presents. Christmas decorations can be seen in many shops and department stores, and people often eat a KFC “Christmas dinner”. In addition, people put up Christmas trees and decorations in their homes and exchange cards.
In the United Kingdom, Christmas is celebrated with a Christmas tree, presents, and decorations. Many families have a traditional Christmas dinner of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and vegetables, followed by Christmas pudding. The day is also marked by attending church services and singing carols. On Christmas Eve, children hang up stockings for Santa Claus to fill with treats, presents, and sweets.
In Germany, Christmas is celebrated in much the same way as it is in other countries, with decorations, gifts, feasting, and singing. The traditional German Christmas tree is often decorated with electric candles, tinsel, and coloured balls. German Christmas markets are a popular tradition, especially in larger cities, and feature stalls with festive decorations, food, and drinks. On Christmas Eve, families will often attend a church service, then eat a festive dinner, often with a roast goose, carp, or turkey. Popular Christmas treats include stollen, a fruitcake–like bread, and lebkuchen, a type of gingerbread. On Christmas Day, presents are opened, and families gather together to enjoy the holiday.
In Finland, people also hang up Yule Goats, which are small wooden figures often found near Christmas trees. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, shops are filled with decorations, and the streets are lined with the twinkling lights of Christmas trees. Many families attend a candle-lit church service on Christmas Eve, sing traditional Finnish carols, and enjoy a feast of traditional Christmas dishes. After dinner, children often open presents, and some families even go caroling. Popular traditions also include baking and decorating gingerbread houses and enjoying a sauna on Christmas Day.
In France, Christmas is celebrated much like in other parts of the world, with festive decorations, delicious meals, and presents exchanged between family and friends. However, the French have some unique traditions that make the holiday season extra special. One of the most popular French Christmas traditions is the Feast of the Seven Fishes, which is celebrated on Christmas Eve. This feast features seven different kinds of seafood dishes such as lobster, oysters, crabs, and mussels. Families often gather around the dinner table to enjoy this special meal.
In Spain, Christmas is celebrated in a unique and festive way. On December 8th, the national holiday of the Immaculate Conception, families gather around the Christmas tree to decorate it with ornaments, lights, and garlands. On December 22nd, children go caroling door to door, singing traditional Christmas songs called villancicos. On Christmas Eve, a traditional dinner is served that includes a seafood dish called “Langostinos.” On Christmas Day, families exchange gifts and visit family and friends.
In Canada, Christmas is celebrated much like it is in many parts of the world. Canadians exchange gifts, decorate their homes with Christmas trees, and enjoy meals with family and friends. However, there are some unique Canadian traditions that make celebrating Christmas a bit more special. One popular Canadian Christmas tradition is cutting down your own Christmas tree. Many families will go out to a local tree farm and pick out the perfect tree. It is then taken home and decorated with decorations such as lights, ornaments, tinsel, and more. In addition to this, many Canadian families will also bake Christmas cookies and enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner, which often includes maple-glazed ham, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables. Christmas caroling is also popular in Canada, with many families and friends going out to sing Christmas songs in their neighbourhoods.
No matter where in the world you go, Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to enjoy the company of family and friends. From Parols in the Philippines to Yule Goats in Finland, there are many unique and special ways Christmas is celebrated around the world.
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