Christmas traditions vary around the world, but not as much as you might think. Each country has its special traditions, but most have more in common than there are differences. Here is a sampling of how the holidays are celebrated in several far-flung places.
- Germany – FroheWeihnachten! – Christmas in Germany is quite special, especially the time leading up to the holidays when the Christmas markets – Christkindl Markt – are in full swing. While they are usually open all of December, a visit to one is not the same as shopping at home in stores that decorate for Christmas in October! A Christkindl Markt is special. Sankt Nikolaus visits children on December 6th. Many households have Advent wreaths as well as Christmas trees, and many Germans attend church services on Christmas Eve.
- Great Britain – Happy Christmas! – The British celebrate Christmas on Christmas Day. Christmas on that side of the pond is not terribly different than in North America. Children have Christmas stockings and open their gifts on Christmas morning. Christmas trees will be found in most homes and streets and stores are usually decorated. Santa Clause, also called Father Christmas, rides in a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer – probably the same one we see. Christmas Day is a time for family, a good meal, and a church service.
- Italy – BuonNatale! Italian holiday traditions include festivities that date back to Roman times and feature a blend of Christian and pagan traditions. Then there’s the lady in black who rides on a broomstick. The Italians don’t have their holidays mixed up! The lady in question is La Befana, a kindly old witch who brings presents to children. She is dressed in black because she’s covered with soot from going down chimneys. Makes you wonder how Santa keeps his suit so clean.
- Africa – KuwanaKrismasinjema! (Swahili) – GesëendeKersfees! (Afrikans) Africa is a large continent with many countries. Christmas traditions there closely follow Western traditions in large part due to European colonization. Christmas carols are sung, Christians attend church services, special meals are prepared on Christmas Day and many homes decorate Christmas trees (in West and Central Africa a species of palm tree is often the tree of choice).
- Russia – S Rozdhestvom! Christmas, once frowned upon along with most other religious celebrations during the days of the Soviet Union, is making a comeback in Russia. It is celebrated on January 7th since the Russian Orthodox Church still uses the Julian calendar. Russians eat a traditional meal on Christmas Eve, one that usually features large helpings of sauerkraut, and church services are attended later on in the evening. Presents, brought to the children not by Santa but by "Father Frost" are opened on New Year’s Eve following a traditional dance around the Christmas tree.
- Antarctica – Brrrr! Christmas is a busy time in Antarctica. After all, summer has just begun and the people living there – mostly scientists – are outside working to take advantage of the not-quite-so-terribly-cold weather, plus the sun is out. There are no street decorations, no TV specials, and no shopping, so most ‘Antarcticans’ celebrate the day having a special meal. The food and drink served usually varies according to nationality. Photos showing penguins wearing red Santa hats are believed to have been altered.
Pick a favorite and go visiting, or stay home and make the most of the holidays by going on a ski vacation instead.