Christmas is a time of year where the world comes together to celebrate a shared humanity, and like any global celebration, unique and fascinating traditions have developed in almost every corner of the globe. From the religious rituals of the Vatican to the secular festivities of Santa Claus in North America, Christmas traditions vary from country to country.
Christmas Traditions in Germany
In Germany, the home of many iconic Christmas traditions, the holiday season kicks off with Advent, a four-week countdown to Christmas Day. Advent calendars are a popular way for Germans to mark the lead-up to Christmas, with each day revealing a small treat or gift. German Christmas markets, known as Weihnachtsmarkts, are also a beloved holiday institution in Germany and have spread around the world, inspiring similar markets in many other countries. These markets offer handmade crafts, Christmas decorations, and delicious German specialties such as glühwein (mulled wine) and bratwurst.
Scandinavian countries have their own Christmas traditions, such as the Swedish julbord, a festive Christmas buffet featuring traditional dishes such as herring, meatballs, and Jansson’s temptation (a type of creamy potato casserole). In Finland, Santa Claus is said to live in the town of Rovaniemi, and the Santa Claus Village there is a popular attraction year-round. In Norway, it is customary to hide a sheaf of wheat for birds to find on Christmas morning, a tradition dating back to pre-Christian times when the Norse god Odin was believed to ride on his eight-legged horse Sleipnir, leaving gifts for those who left offerings for him.
Christmas Traditions in Italy
In Italy, most cities and towns have elaborate nativity scenes known as presepi, with figures representing the Holy Family, angels, shepherds, and animals. In some areas, such as Naples, the nativity scene is a major art form, with intricate and lifelike depictions of the Christmas story. Christmas Eve is a big celebration in Italy, with many families attending midnight mass and enjoying a festive meal afterward – often featuring seafood, as Catholic tradition calls for abstaining from meat on Christmas Eve.
In Japan, where Christianity is a minority religion, Christmas is celebrated in a different way. While it is not a national holiday, commercialized versions of the holiday have gained in popularity such as KFC’s “Christmas chicken” meal, which is so popular that customers often have to place orders weeks in advance. Christmas Eve is seen as a romantic holiday, similar to Valentine’s Day, with couples going out to enjoy Christmas illuminations or have a fancy dinner together.
Throughout Latin America, the celebration of Christmas is centered on the Nativity scene, with traditional posadas (processions) featuring people dressed as Mary and Joseph, traveling from house to house seeking shelter. In Mexico, the holiday season is kicked off with the celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a religious holiday that takes place on Dec. 12. In Brazil, Christmas Eve is celebrated with fireworks and a big meal, often featuring roast pig, chicken, or turkey.
In Australia, where December means summertime, many people spend Christmas Day at the beach or having a barbecue. The festive season is often marked by Christmas carols, cricket matches, and gift-giving. In New Zealand, Christmas is also a summertime holiday, with many families enjoying a picnic lunch or eating kiwi-style Christmas dinner, which typically includes cold meats, seafood, salads, and pavlova (a meringue-based dessert).
These are just a few of the many unique and fascinating Christmas traditions that can be found around the world. Whether you celebrate with family or friends, attend religious services or take part in secular festivities, or simply enjoy the spirit of the holiday, Christmas is a time to come together and celebrate the many diverse cultures of our global community.