Christmas may be almost a universal holiday but that doesn't mean we all celebrate it the same way. Here's how other countries mark the
season around the world.
season around the world.
Finland
The Finnish Christmas season starts on the First Advent, which falls on the first Sunday in December. Like Americans, children in Finland use advent calendars to count down the days until Christmas. Celebrations usually last until two weeks past the actual holiday. Finland is long believed to be the home of Santa Claus or Father Christmas. He’s presumed to live in the Korvatunturi, or Lapland, north of the Arctic Circle. An address there receives letters to Santa Claus from all over the world. There’s also a large theme park called “Christmas Land” in the area. Another important Christmas figure is Joulupukki, which translates to “Christmas Goat.” This character was a scary goat who asked people for presents, without every giving any in return. Eventually, though he began giving gifts, a duty that was later taken on by Santa. In Finland, families decorate the holiday tree with geometric mobiles made out of straw. It’s also customary to enjoy a sauna on Christmas Eve before Santa’s visit; according to the ancient custom, this ritual cleanses the body and mind. 
Brazil
A Brazilian Christmas dinner is full of Portuguese dishes, rice, nuts, and fruits. Turkey and codfish are the popular meats of choice. Decorations usually roll out in November or earlier. Furthermore, people take part in a gift-swapping tradition called "amigo secreto." It's the Brazilian version of — you guessed it — Secret Santa. Children in Brazil await a visit from Papai Noel or Bom Velhinho, which means Good Old Man. They leave him a sock near the window, which he exchanges for a gift. Another popular gift-giving tradition in Brazil involves those from an amigo secreto, a secret friend. These admirers give small gifts all through the month of December using a false name, only to reveal their true identify on Christmas Day. 
Costa Rica
An important symbol of Christmas in Costa Rica is the model of the nativity scene, called the Pasito or Portal. It’s the main focus of the Christmas decorations, which also include tropical flowers and often fruit. The whole family participates in decorating the scene, which often takes a long time to make. Wreaths of cypress branches, decorated with ribbons and red coffee berries round out the decor. The country’s population is largely Roman Catholic, so Christmas Eve is spent attending Midnight Mass, which is called the Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Rooster), followed by a Christmas meal of pork and chicken tamales wrapped in plantain leaves. Gifts are brought by Nino Dios (meaning Child God, or Jesus) or Colacho, which is what Costa Ricans call St. Nicholas. 
South Africa
Since it’s in the Southern Hemisphere, residents of South Africa celebrate Christmas in the summer. Schools close, so many people spend the holiday camping or swimming. Caroling on Christmas Eve is quite popular in the cities. There are services where carols are sung by candlelight. South African cuisine also plays a major role in the holidays. A Christmas meal of turkey, duck, roast beef, or suckling pig is served with vegetables, yellow rice and raisins alongside. The meal is followed with a traditional dessert called Malva, or Lekker, Pudding. 
Canada
Many Canadians argue that Santa Claus himself hailed from Canada, although residents of Finland make the same claim. Either way, he’s a major part of the country’s Christmas celebration. An annual parade in Toronto is one of the biggest and oldest in the world and involves over 2,000 participants. Another favourite Christmas pastime in Canada are cookie baking parties. Families bring their favorite recipes, bake a batch, and then swap them with other attendees so that everyone leaves with an assortment of cookies to enjoy over the holidays. 
Egypt
Christians in Egypt participate in a Holy Nativity Fast for the 43 days before Christmas. They eat what is essentially a vegan diet, which contains no foods that come from animals (including milk and eggs). On Christmas Eve, they attend a church service that begins around 10:30 and can last until as late as 4:00 a.m. Following the service, everyone goes home to the big Christmas meal, which contains meat, butter, and all of the other yummy things they couldn’t eat during the Advent fast. A popular dish is Fata, a soup that contains rice, bread, garlic, and boiled lamb. 
Greece
Caroling is also popular in Greece, where children walk the streets singing and playing drums and triangles. According to custom, they often carry model boats that are painted gold and decorated with nuts. If they perform well, they are rewarded with sweets, nuts, or even money. Rather than a Christmas tree, many Greek homes display a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire suspended over it. From the wire hangs a cross wrapped in a sprig of basil. Each day the cross is dipped into holy water and sprinkled throughout the house to ward off evil spirits known as Killantzaroi, which appear during the 12 days from Christmas to Epiphany on January 6th. 
Ukraine
Celebrations of Christmas around the world often include some form of charity. In the Ukraine, it’s traditional to hang spider web-shaped decorations on the tree. This reflects the Ukrainian legend of the poor widow who didn’t have enough money to decorate her tree, but when her children awoke on Christmas day, the tree was covered in webs that glistened gold and silver in the morning light. 
Netherlands
Children in Holland receive presents from Sinterklaas on December 5, not Christmas Eve or Day. And if they leave carrots for Sinterklaas’s horse, he’ll leave sweets for the kids. 
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
Commemorating the life of St. Francis, the Catholic church’s patron saint of animals and the environment, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is held on Oct. 4. On this day, many people bring their pets to the Catholic church to be blessed, as well as donating food and blankets to local animal shelters. In the town of Assisi, Italy, oil lamps are lit for two consecutive days, burning consecrated oil, and services are held in the Basilica of St. Francis. The Feast of St. Francis also coincides with World Animal Day. |
Russia
Russian Christmas tradition calls for two celebrations — once on Dec. 25 and again on Jan. 7. Dinner on this day features 12 different dishes to represent the 12 apostles. It's usually meatless and full of bread, honey, and veggies. Christmas Day usually calls for a main course of meat. As for Santa? His name is Ded Moroz, which translates to "Grandfather Frost." Here, Christmas is celebrated on January 7, and Babouschka brings gifts to children. Babouschka, meaning old woman or grandmother in Russian, is based on the biblical story of the woman who didn’t give a gift to the baby Jesus. So, to repent, she gives gifts to children. Wonder why we celebrate Christmas on December 25 anyway? 
Phillipines
If you thought decor in November was intense, just wait until you learn about the Philippines. Filipinos start celebrating Christmas in September and stop in January. Extravagant decor is a must. Many homes hang up parols, which are lights made of bamboo and paper. A nine-day celebration also takes place (Simbang Gabi) leading up to Christmas Eve. This night, also known as Noche Buena, calls for a huge family celebration with lots of food. 
Jamaica
Christmas in Jamaica is full of happiness and joy. On Christmas Eve, every town hosts a "Grand Market" event. This celebration is equal parts festival and market, featuring a medley of shopping, eating, and dancing. A parade called Jonkanoo also takes place. Often, people continue to celebrate at a midnight mass. As for dinner? A typical Jamaican Christmas dinner will include foods like rice, oxtail, chicken, curry goat, roast ham, and rum-soaked fruit cake. Yum. Jamaicans dress in elaborate costumes and celebrate Christmas with parades and “Junkanoo” dancers, based on African dance. The festival, which occurs on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, may have started as early as the 16th century. 
Germany
A major focus of Germany’s Christmas celebrations is Advent. They use various types of Advent calendars, including ones in the shape of a wreath fashioned out of fir branches. From these circular calendars hang 24 decorated bags or boxes, each of which contains a small gift. Another version is a fir wreath with four candles on it. A candle is lit each week during the Advent celebration. Residents of Germany differ on who they think brings the gifts on Christmas Eve. Some say it’s Santa Claus or Father Christmas, known as Weihnachtsmann. Others say it’s Christkind, The Christ Child. Some also believe a character called Knecht Ruprecht, or Krampus, accompanies St. Nicholas. Rather than bringing gifts, this horned monster comes to punish the children who were bad. 
Mexico
In Mexico, the Christmas celebration lasts from December 12th through January 6th. Beginning on December 16th, Mexican children perform a series of nine Posadas. These processions represent Joseph and Mary’s search for a place to stay. They walk with candles to various houses where they sing a song and are then told there is no room. At the last house of the final Posada, on Christmas Eve, the children are told there is room and welcomed in for a a celebration that includes prayers of thanksgiving and a party with food, fireworks, and often a pinata. 
Ireland
Forget milk and cookies. In Ireland it’s customary to leave mince pies and a bottle of Guinness out for Santa Claus. Another Christmas Even tradition involves leaving a tall, thick candle burning in the largest window. The candle is allowed to burn all night as a symbol to welcome Mary and Joseph. 
France
In French homes, yule logs made of cherry wood are often burned. They’re sprinkled with red wine, which creates a nice aroma. The logs, along with candles, are left burning through the night. They’re accompanied by food and drinks that are left out in case Mary and the Jesus visit during the night. Christmas decorations often include a nativity crib that’s adorned with clay figures. In addition to the typical nativity characters, French scenes sometimes include a butcher, a baker, a priest, and a policeman. 
Zimbabwe
Christmas day in Zimbabwe usually begins with a church service. After its conclusion, everyone goes from house to house to visit with all of their friends and family where they eat and exchange gifts. This celebration often lasts the rest of the day. Music is also a big part of the celebration. Many people place speakers outside the front of their homes and play their favourite tunes at loud volumes. This could include holiday songs, contemporary music, or even traditional African tunes. 
Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival is celebrated in China on the 15th day of the first month on the Chinese calendar, which usually falls sometime in February on the western calendar. Marking the end of the Chinese New Year, it symbolizes family togetherness, forgiveness, and peace. Activities include lighting and displaying lanterns, fireworks and drones, lion and dragon dances, and eating tang yuan, which are ball-shaped dumplings served in a soup. 
Guy Fawkes Day
Celebrated in the U.K. on Nov. 5, Guy Fawkes day is a remembrance of Guy Fawkes, who was arrested as being part of a plot made by Catholic conspirators to kill King James I. Initially intended as a celebration of the failure of what is known as the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, it became more of a political and religious statement of the unrest between Catholics and Protestants. Modern Guy Fawkes traditions include bonfires and fireworks, and due to its proximity to Halloween, many people combine elements of the two holidays and don costumes as part of the festivities. |
