Christmas Traditions Around the World

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According to the US Census Bureau, the world population has surpassed 6.5 billion, approximately one third of which is of the Christian faith.  This makes Christmas one of the most widely celebrated events spanning seven continents and touching billions of people each and every year.

In the United States, "Black Friday," one of the busiest shopping days of the year, marks the initiation of the Christmas season, accompanied by a plethora of sparkling lights,  Santa Claus figures,  candy canes,  gingerbread houses,  and reindeer.  However, go anywhere else in the world and you will find that there are many more traditions that people enjoy. In Sweden you'll see Christmas trees  decked in candles,  Swedish flags,  and gnomes.  In India, they won't use pine or fir trees, but rather banana  or mango trees.  Sometimes, December 25th will be nothing more than time spent with family. Instead, gifts are exchanged early in December 6th (St. Nicholas Day) or in January 6th through 13th (Epiphany).

Whether or not you are very religious, one of the things that makes Christmas so important to all who celebrate it, is the sense of tradition that it evokes. Each country, each state, and each family have their favorite things that make Christmas meaningful to them. This guide takes a sneak peek into some of the most popular Christmas traditions that have been adapted into people's lives all around the world. 

Popular North American Traditions

Christmas Gifts 

Gift giving, a central part of Christmas, may have originated with the gifts of the three kings. However, only in the late 1800s did it take full effect.

Christmas Cards 

It all begin in Britain in the mid-1800s when the Penny Post postal service was created; delivering cards became popular because it was cheap and simple. For the whole story, visit Emotionscards.com.

Christmas Trees 

Thank the Germans for bringing these lovely smelling pines and firs into our lives. And the ornaments?  It started with the Brits, but the lights  are thanks to Martin Luther for placing candles  on trees in the 16th century.

Christmas Stockings 

St. Nicholas, in efforts to spread good will to the needy discreetly climbed up to a girl's chimney one night to drop a bag of money down it. A girl's stocking, which was drying by the fire caught the purse and voila!

Christmas Music

The holiday season brings with it nostalgia; look to classics like Bing Crosby  and Irving Berlin  to really bring home that American Christmas spirit.

Africa

Roast Goat 

In East Africa, a Christmas feast usually centers around a roasted goat, which quickly sells out in the local markets.

Barbecues 

South Africa has very strong British ties, so they celebrate with a beach-side barbecue featuring the traditional foods like plum pudding  and mince pies. 

Okra Soup 

In Ghana, Christmas dinner consists of a hearty okra soup.  Check out this recipe that your family will grow to love!

Dance 

In many religious African countries, abundant music  and dance follows the Christmas Eve mass.

Decorative Palms 

In Nairobi, it is common to see palm trees decorated with candles; in Liberia, oil palms have bells! 

Asia

Paper Lanterns 

In China, the traditional "trees of light" are actually decorated paper lanterns and paper ornaments.

Oranges 

Strategically decorate the tables with oranges--an Asian fruit thought to bring good luck and wealth.

Origami Swan 

These little birds of peace are exchanged amongst children in Japan and are a very popular tree ornament.

Chicken Soup 

In Vietnam, Christians attend a midnight mass on Christmas Eve and then head back to their homes for a bowl of chicken soup.

Bananas  and Oil 

In India, Christians decorate their homes with banana or mango trees, and small oil lamps.  They give Christmas gifts to friends and family and charity to the poor.

Australia

Cricket 

On Boxing Day (December 26), there is a cricket match involving the Australian cricket team and the opposition national team touring Australia that summer.

Candles 

Grab your candles and head to the streets!  In downtown Melbourne, the famous Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve is all the rage.

The Christmas Bush 

The Poinsettia,  also known as the Christmas bush, is native to Australia and replaces the evergreens that most northern counterparts use.

Barbecue 

Taking a cue from their British roots, Aussies enjoy turkey,  ham,  plum pudding,  and mince pies  while celebrating at backyard barbecues. 

Greenery 

Mistletoe  and holly  are the standard Australian greens for the holidays.  Use holly to "drive away the evil spirits!"

Caribbean

Jamaica

Because of the heat, eggnog  doesn't go over so well in Jamaica. Instead they have what's called, Sorrel,  a spicy rum  drink made with sorrel, cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel.

Puerto Rico

Ham  is a close second, but nothing comes close to the whole roast pig  called "lechón asado" in Puerto Rico. Follow it with tembleque,  a coconut pudding.

Trinidad and Tobago

Play some parang  or parang soca  (traditional Trinidadian Christmas music) this holiday and be whisked away to Trinidad and Tobago. Serve it up with rum cake. 

Grenada

Grab your masks  because it's time for Carnival in Carriacou, an island off Grenada. See the guide to this year's Carriacou Regatta for more details.

St. Lucia

The Festival of Lights and Renewal begins December 13, and  features a lantern-making competition and the decoration of towns and villages with lights.  The         celebration honors the patron saint of light,  St. Lucy, with a switching on of the Christmas lights.

Central America

Nativity Scenes 

As Catholicism is the dominant religion in Latin America, nativity scenes can be seen in homes and public spaces.

Fireworks 

Though we have come to know them as symbolic of New Year's Eve, El Salvador and Nicaragua celebrate Christmas with elaborate firework displays.

Piñatas 

In Mexico, if a child was good all year, he is rewarded with gifts as well as candies that are stuffed inside of a piñata.

Poinsettias 

This popular decorative plant actually originates in Mexico and was used by the Incas as a medicinal plant.

Lullabies 

During "La Posada", participants carry images of Mary and Joseph and go from house to house seeking a place to stay; during midnight mass lullabies  are sung to to the baby Jesus.

Europe

France

The French version of the yule log, le Bûche de Noël,  is a tasty dessert that consists of cake rolled around a creamy filling. Flavors vary from chocolate to coffee to rum.

Spain

Turrón  is a Spanish sweet made with almonds and toffee. However, there are many variations consisting of praline, chocolate, and other tasty items.

Belgium

In Belgium, people parade around on December 6th, the day of St. Nicholas with gigantic bishop's miters  and blow horns  and ring bells. 

Italy

Befana,  the ugly witch shown, takes Santa's place and brings children their gifts on the Epiphany (Jan. 6).  Panettone,  a Milanese cake with candied fruits, is also traditional.

Germany

They are known for their impressive gingerbread houses,  Christmas trees,  and marzipan.  Cribs for the baby Jesus are often used as decorations.

Norway

The Norwegians claim to be the inventors of the Yule Log.  It was originally meant to be an offering to  the spirits and sometimes burns for days at a time.

Finland

The Fins all go out on Christmas to pay respect to the dead late afternoon to place candles  on the graves in the cemetery. On Christmas Eve, families often go to the sauna.

Netherlands

Like in many Scandinavian countries, a shoe  is left out on the doorstep with hay or carrots in it for St. Nick's horse. This occurs Dec. 5th, St. Nicolas Eve.

England

The traditions in England are much the same as in the US. However, they celebrate Boxing Day (Dec. 26) by giving little boxes of gifts or money to service people, such as mailmen, garbage man, etc.

Iceland

In Iceland, there is not just one Santa, but 13. Candle snatcher and door slammer are just a few of the catchy names of these little devils that pester people from the 12th until Christmas Day.

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