‘Tis the season to be jolly, and around the globe, people are gearing up for Christmas festivities, each country adding its unique flavor to the celebration. From the snowy landscapes of Scandinavia to the sun-soaked beaches of Australia, Christmas traditions vary widely, but they all share a common thread of joy and togetherness. Let’s take a whirlwind tour of 10 Xmas traditions from around the world that are spreading holiday cheer.
- Sweden: Lighting Up the Darkness In Sweden, where winter nights are long and dark, the celebration begins with the lighting of Advent candles. Families gather to mark each Sunday leading up to Christmas by illuminating a candle, bringing warmth and light to the wintry evenings.
- Mexico: Posadas Processions In Mexico, the nine nights before Christmas are filled with Posadas processions. These lively street parades reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Participants go from house to house, singing carols and seeking shelter, culminating in a festive gathering with piñatas and traditional foods.
- Japan: KFC Christmas Feast Christmas in Japan has taken an unexpected turn with the popularity of a unique tradition – enjoying a finger-licking good feast from Kentucky Fried Chicken. Thanks to a clever marketing campaign in the ’70s, KFC has become a staple Christmas meal, with families pre-ordering their buckets months in advance.
- Iceland: Yule Lads’ Mischievous Mischief Move over, Santa Claus; Iceland has its own crew of gift-givers known as the Yule Lads. These 13 mischievous characters, with names like Spoon Licker and Door Slammer, visit children in the 13 nights leading up to Christmas, leaving small gifts or rotten potatoes depending on the child’s behavior.
- Australia: Surf’s Up, Santa! Down under, where Christmas coincides with the height of summer, Aussies trade snow for sand. Beach barbecues, surfing Santas, and outdoor festivities are the norm. It’s a sun-soaked celebration that captures the essence of an Australian Christmas.
- Italy: La Befana’s Epiphany In Italy, the Christmas season extends to Epiphany on January 6th, when La Befana, a kind-hearted witch, delivers gifts to children. Legend has it that she missed the chance to see the newborn Jesus and, to this day, searches for him, leaving sweets and gifts for good children and coal for the naughty ones.
- India: The Christmas Banana In Southern India, particularly in Kerala, the Christmas feast takes a unique twist with the addition of a special fruit – the Christmas banana. Families exchange these bananas as a symbol of goodwill and joy during the festive season.
- South Africa: A Braai Christmas In South Africa, the traditional Christmas feast involves a ‘braai’ or barbecue. Families gather outdoors, grilling a variety of meats and enjoying the warm weather. It’s a festive fusion of Christmas spirit and South African hospitality.
- Norway: The Christmas Eve Mystery Norwegians have a quirky tradition on Christmas Eve – hiding brooms. Legend has it that mischievous spirits and witches come out on this night, so to thwart them, Norwegians hide their brooms to prevent them from being stolen and used for nefarious deeds.
- Brazil: Floating Wishes on the Sea On the beaches of Brazil, locals celebrate Christmas by setting small boats adrift on the ocean, laden with flowers, candles, and offerings. This enchanting tradition, known as the Festival of Lights, symbolizes the hopes and wishes for the coming year.
- Ethiopia: Ganna, a Unique Christmas Game In Ethiopia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th, following the Julian calendar. Known as Ganna, this holiday is marked with a unique form of hockey that shares its name with the celebration. Families and friends gather to engage in friendly matches, with festivities extending to communal feasts and the exchange of gifts.
- Philippines: Simbang Gabi and the Christmas Lantern In the Philippines, the Christmas season kicks off with Simbang Gabi, a series of nine pre-dawn Masses. Families attend these early morning services, followed by a vibrant display of Christmas lanterns, locally known as parols. These intricately crafted lanterns light up the night, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem.
- Germany: Christmas Markets and Advent Calendars Germany is famous for its enchanting Christmas markets, where wooden stalls adorned with twinkling lights offer a variety of festive treats and handcrafted gifts. Advent calendars, with their daily surprises leading up to Christmas, are also a cherished tradition, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the holiday season.
- Greece: Kalanta, the Christmas Carols of Good Luck In Greece, the Christmas tradition of Kalanta involves children and adults alike going door to door, singing carols and spreading good wishes for the upcoming year. It is believed that these festive melodies bring good luck and prosperity to each household.
- United Kingdom: Christmas Pantomimes In the United Kingdom, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the annual tradition of attending a Christmas pantomime. These theatrical productions, filled with humor, music, and audience participation, bring families together for a lighthearted and entertaining experience during the holiday season.
In this interconnected world, the rich tapestry of Christmas traditions reflects the diversity and unity of humanity. Whether it’s the joyous caroling in Greece, the mesmerizing lantern displays in the Philippines, or the laughter-filled pantomimes in the UK, each tradition contributes to the global celebration of Christmas. As we embrace the festivities of the season, let us also appreciate the beauty of cultural diversity and the universal values of love, peace, and goodwill that bind us all together during this magical time of year. Merry Christmas to one and all!