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Christmas Traditions around the World
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Every year people around the world celebrate Christmas, but traditions in other parts of the world aren’t necessarily like those we take part here in the United States. Different cultures have customs that often go back long before “Santa Clause” that we all know and love began making his Christmas Eve rounds.
In America and many parts of the world, Christmas these days is about decorated Christmas trees, Santa Clause delivering presents on December 25 with the help of his flying reindeer,giving wrapped gifts to family and friends and eating lots of turkey and dressing either on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, but many countries still keep to customs from the days of old. Canada celebrates much like we do in the United States, but in Quebec, for example, some areas also enjoy additional traditions - the end of Christmas does not come until January 6 for many in Quebec and at this time a cake is made with a bean inside – whoever gets the bean is the reining king or queen for the year.
Scandinavian and Nordic Countries
In Scandinavia the yule log tradition is part of the celebration. This tradition is when a tree (known as the yule log) is picked out and put in the fire little by little to warm the cold night for the entire season. Dark for most of the day and night in this area of the world, Yuletide means “the turning of sun” also known as Winter Solstice and it’s a very important time for those living in the Scandinavian countries. Like what many cultures think of at Halloween, this is the time of year that the dead walk the earth in this part of the world.
Norway also celebrates the holiday with an elf or gnome that brings gifts and is known as Julebukk or “Christmas Buck.” This tradition goes back to the days of the Vikings and the god Thor. For awhile the church forbid this tradition comparing this to the devil’s work, but these days it’s a tamer Julebukk that visits Norwegians.
In Denmark a Christmas dinner is served on the eve of the holiday and a special rice pudding is served with an almond hidden inside. Whoever finds the almond finds good luck for the new year. Julemanden is the gift bringer in this country arriving on a sleigh pulled by reindeer and his elves are called Juul Nisse.
Sweden begins their celebration on St. Lucia day, which is December 13 and goes until January 13, which is St. Canutes Day. December 13 is actually Lucia’s feast day and big celebrations take place in Sweden with the eldest daughter in each family dressing in a white dress with a red sash and wearing a green wreath with seven lighted candles on her head. Christmas Eve welcomes the Christmas gnome known as tomte who leaves gifts for Everyone in the house.
Mediterranean Countries
In Italy Santa Claus has been replaced by La Befana or, “witch” who leaves presents for children on January 6, which is when most gifts are exchanged in Italy. The nativity scene idea actually began in Italy and was said to have started when St. Francis of Assisi ask a man to build a manger scene for him. La Befana also is related to the Epiphany and this is on January 6. According to legend an old woman was asked by the Three Wise Men to give them food and she said no. She had a change of heart and went to find them to feed them, but they were gone. She still wonders the earth looking for the Three Wise Men and bearing gifts as she goes.
Spain’s Christmas tradition begins on December 8 with the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Christmas Eve is called Nochebuena and that means “Good Night.” Gifts are again given on January 6 and the Three Wise Men travel around just like when they were traveling to Bethlehem so many years ago. December 28 is the feast day for the Holy Innocents and young boys build bonfires to and towns are cleaned up at this time.
Portugal and Spain have many of the same traditions, however Portugal also celebrates what is called consoada in the early morning of Christmas Day. This is when people set out extra plates for the dead among them to celebrate as well.
British Isles
The British Isles have customs much like the United States and much of how we celebrate can be traced back to Victorian times and Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Santa Claus is called Father Christmas in Britain. We also got the custom of hanging stockings and singing Christmas carols from the British and don’t forget about drinking wassail during the holidays, which means “good health.”
Boxing Day is also popular in all the British territories and is the day after Christmas and a time when servants got the day off and would open their tip boxes. These days it is a time to give to the less fortunate at Christmas time.
The Scottish folks usually make a bigger deal of New Years than Christmas calling it Hogmanay and eating an oat cake given to children on New Year’s Eve.
Ireland’s St. Stephen’s Day is similar to Boxing Day and men often dress up and parade through the streets in masks.
Other parts of Europe
In Greece St. Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and many traditions are celebrated during the Christmas holidays. Trees are not common in homes, but on the eve of the holiday children travel around singing carols, given sweets or fruits in return. Gifts are exchanged on St. Basil Day, which is January 1 and the ritual is that all the water jugs in the house are emptied and refilled with new “St. Basil’s Water.”
France celebrates the holidays with a nativity scene or crèche, which is the focus of the celebration and the Yule log is also popular along with a Yule log cake called buche de Nol or “Christmas Log.” For gifts, children receive them from Pere Noel and gifts may be given on Christmas or December 6, which is St. Nicholas Eve. Adults do not exchange gifts until January 1.
The Netherlands celebrate the holiday with St. Nicholas who is called Sinterklaas. Dutch children believe he comes from Spain on December 5 (St. Nicholas feast day) and leaves gifts and candy.
In Poland Wigilia is a celebrated tradition that begins on Christmas Eve and is a strict fast ending with a Christmas feast after 24-hours. The meal can’t begin until the first star of the night appears and the name of Christmas in this country is Gwiazdka meaning “little star” or Boss Narodzenie. A tradition that both the Czechs and Polish people celebrate is that of cutting a branch from a cherry tree and putting it in water indoors to bloom. If the bloom opens by Christmas this is good luck. The Czechs and Slovakians also call Santa Claus - Svaty Mikalas - and he climbs down a golden rope from heaven.
The Russians observe the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6 and, like in Italy also have a La Befana story, but they call her Babouschka.
Asia and India
India celebrates Christmas by decorating a mango or banana tree and in some areas they burn small clay oil-burning lamps placed on the edge of roofs.
In China, Christians celebrate by lighting paper lanterns and decorating Christmas trees. Children there call Santa Claus Dun Che Lao Ren meaning “Christmas Old Man.”
Japan celebrates the Christmas tradition and exchanges gifts, eats turkey on Christmas Day and enjoys Christmas trees. Santa Claus is a god or priest called Hoteiosho and he is an old man with a huge pack.
Central and South America
South and Central American countries celebrate this holiday from a deeply religious standpoint and often make the main scene of the holiday that of the manger known as “presepio.” Specifically, in Brazil Father Noel is the gift bringer known as Papai Noel and midnight mass is a must.
Venezuelans attend an important mass called Misa de Aguinaldo between December 16 and 24 and in bigger cities it is customary to roller-skate to the service.
Nicaraguans celebrate the Epiphany on January 6 and many of the Spanish customs are held here, but in Mexico the celebration goes a step further with a procession known as las posadas re-enacting Joseph and Mary’s search for a place to stay on that night.
Middle East Celebrations
In Iran Christians in the country fast beginning on December 1 and attend church on December 25 followed by a huge Christmas meal with chicken stew. Gifts are not given on this day or in Iraq. In Iraq however, stories are read about the birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve and a bonfire is made in which everyone jumps over it three times and makes a wish. On Christmas Day more bonfires are lit and the bishop blesses one person with a touch. This person then passes that touch on until everyone has felt what is called the “touch of peace.
In Bethlehem where Jesus was born celebrations include flags and decorations. Parades are held and many people attend church. Christian homes are marked with a painted cross on the door and in the village square a star is set upon a pole for all to see.
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