Christmas Around The WorldChristmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the entire world. This celebration of the birth of Jesus is so popular that many countries with small Christian populations still celebrate some of the same traditions and customs of Christmas, just with a secular meaning. The merry-making of the Christmas holiday season is enjoyed by a wide range of people, Christians and non-Christians alike. The festivities of the Christmas holiday season vary dramatically across the continents of the world, but the same general idea of celebrating the ones we love and fostering a spirit of generosity are consistent across the entire world and are shared by people of all faiths. Christmas DecorationsThe decorations for Christmas around the world vary greatly depending on where you are. Many cultures from the United States all the way to Australia adorn their home with Christmas trees. These trees are pine or evergreen trees and can be real or fake. In countries like France, Germany, Australia, the United States, Canada, England, Sweden, and Spain the trees are decorated with glass ornaments, tinsel, twinkling lights and either stars or angels on top. In countries that are farther east such as China, Japan and Vietnam, the decorations on trees are usually paper lanterns, ribbons and bows. The Christmas tree has really spread in popularity and during the Christmas season you can usually find one in nearly every country in the world! Other decorations besides the Christmas tree are also popular throughout the world. In Brazil and Colombia, the streets of the towns and neighborhoods are lined with candles, electric lights, and paper lanterns. Countries such as Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands favor lavish, yet traditional evergreen wreaths that are adorned with ribbons and holly berries. Most countries have some form of adornments throughout the main streets of town to commemorate the Christmas season, no matter where you are in the world. Christmas EveFor many cultures, the biggest celebrations of Christmas are on Christmas Eve. Most Christian cultures attend church services in the evening or a midnight mass. After the evening service a huge feast is served. The types of food vary from culture to culture from chicken soup in Vietnam to oatmeal in Scotland! Festive desserts are usually served on the eve of Christmas around the world, such as rich and thick puddings in England to cookies, cakes and pies in the United States. Some cultures recognize the tradition of Santa Claus, though he goes by many names depending on what country you are in. He goes by Saint Nicholas to Germans, Pére Noël to the French and Father Christmas to the English, just to give you some of his many monikers. He usually comes down the chimney in whatever country he is in, but his place for leaving presents depends on where he is in the world. In France he will leave presents in the shoes of children, in Canada he will leave them under the tree. In all countries that honor the tradition of Santa Claus, the children open their presents on Christmas day. Christmas DayChristmas traditions around the world are as different as the people who live on this Earth. Some countries like Mexico and Spain give the bulk of their presents on Epiphany day, which is January 6th. Other cultures like Italians and Germans, give presents to all on Christmas day. Christmas in most cultures, however, is a time to give to children and those less fortunate. Some countries have elaborate festivals and parades on Christmas, but some, like China, reserve their largest celebrations for New Year’s Day. Most people on this Earth are absolutely exhausted by the end of the day on Christmas, after sharing in festivities and merrymaking with all of their friends and relatives. People the world over generally eat and drink too much while celebrating this popular holiday. Common ThemesWhile the many traditions of Christmas around the world are as vast and different as the people who live here, one thing remains the same: the celebrations of love and family togetherness, of giving and a spirit of generosity, and a general sense of happiness and joy. No matter what country you are in during the Christmas season, you can be sure that you will see and feel the goodwill that is floating through the air. Christmas Traditions Around The WorldReturn from Christmas Around The World to the Christmas Customs home page |