The Christmas season is celebrated all around the world. The celebrations and traditions are different in different countries. People exchange gifts, sing carol songs, the houses and cities and shopping malls will light up during December. Here in this article, we can see how Christmas is celebrated and how it varies in different nations and cultures.
Christmas Celebrations Around the World
1. France
Christmas is celebrated widely in France. Christmas time is a major holiday in France. The French people start their Christmas celebrations on the 5th of December. The homes will be decorated with lights and garlands in France. They also decorate Christmas trees with candles and lights. The French people also take part in midnight mass which is an important part of the Christmas celebration. They also enjoy traditional French meals during Christmas. The traditional dishes include oysters and champagne. Christmas cake flavored with lemon or chocolate is also served along with the Christmas meal. Vine is also popular among French people.
2. Japan
Although Christmas Day is not a holiday in Japan they also celebrate Christmas. Only a small percentage of its population is Christian. On Christmas Eve Japanese couples go out for dinner dates to celebrate Christmas. It is common to have dinner at KFCs in Japan during Christmas. In Japan, Christmas lights are common in major cities and towns. The Japanese people enjoy Christmas by having Christmas cakes and usually gifts cake to close friends and family. The Santa Claus in Japan is Hoteiosho who gifts presents to children. Christmas markets are also active in Japan. The market sells a variety of food, drinks, and decor items to people.
3. China
In China, people gift apple which symbolizes peace and love among them. The cities and towns will be decorated with lights and decor. The Chinese people also attend parties during Christmas hosted by friends and families. They enjoy food and drinks at the parties. Couples in China celebrate Christmas like Valentine’s Day exchanging gifts and going for dinner dates. It is also common for a young Chinese couple to have their Christmas dinner at KFCs Some parts of China mix the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations with Christmas with fireworks and parades. Christmas market is also common in China. The people enjoy meals and hang out in the Christmas market in the major cities and towns.
4. New Zealand
In New Zealand, the Christmas celebrations occur during the summer season. They sing carol songs in parks and outdoors on Christmas Eve. New Zealand also has its own traditional Christmas celebrations. They consider the Pohutukawa tree as a Christmas tree. The tree has red flowers and blooms during the Christmas season. The people in New Zealand enjoy their Christmas on the beach engaging in activities like swimming and surfing. The traditional Christmas food of New Zealand is HAngi. They cook the Hangi meal in a pit oven and enjoy the dish during Christmas. The Maori communities in New Zealand have their way of celebrating Christmas.
5. Sweden
In Sweden, Christmas celebrations start on St. Lucia Day on December 13th. The families in Sweden light a candle every Sunday up to Christmas day in December. Enjoying traditional dinner is an important part of their Christmas celebrations. Julskinka is a traditional dish in Sweden served on Christmas day. Julskinka is ham served with vegetables like potato and cabbage. They also serve cookies decorated with sprinkles during Christmas meals. The Swedish people also enjoy different types of sports during Christmas. Christmas gifts named Julklapp are exchanged between friends and families during Christmas.
6. Iceland
Iceland follows unique traditions on Christmas Eve. According to the tradition, it is believed that Yule lads bring gifts to children and play pranks with them for 13 days till Christmas day. The Icelanders also exchange books and gifts during Christmas. Smoked lamb is the traditional Christmas dish in Iceland. It is often served with potatoes and other vegetables. They also burn Yule logs to protect themselves from evil spirits. They also bake traditional Iceland cookies during Christmas. Modern-day Christmas celebrations in Iceland include winter sports and Christmas markets in the cities.
7. Austria
The Christmas celebrations in Austria start four weeks before Christmas. The celebrations include enjoying traditional dishes like gingerbread and mulled wine. They also have a particular costume to dress up to become half goat half demon-like creatures named Krampusnacht as a part of traditional celebrations. On Christmas night they attend midnight mass in the church. They also have a traditional Austrian meal after the Christmas mass. Austrians also decorate Christmas trees with candles, lights, and different decorations. The people exchange gifts with each other as a part of Christmas celebrations. They also take part in traditional Christmas carols. They make a special dish on Christmas called Weihnachtsgans. It is roasted goose served on Christmas dinner.it is served with potatoes, cabbage, and other vegetables. They also drink wine called mulled wine at Christmastime. They also make traditional cookies during Christmas.
8. Spain
Spanish people enjoy Christmas with good food and follow their traditions. Christmas celebrations start on December 8th. Family gatherings are an important part of their Christmas celebrations. They attend midnight mass in the church and enjoy traditional dinner. They play traditional games and Exchange gifts during Christmas. They also take part in parades and processions in the Christmas season. Christmas markets will be open in Spain during Christmas offering a variety of foods and snacks.
Conclusion
Here we have discussed how Christmas is celebrated in different countries. People start celebrating Christmas at the start of December. The celebrations will go on up to the New Year marking the start of the New Year. Christmas is celebrated with songs Carol’s s decorations and lights. People also enjoy Christmas by enjoying mealtime with their friends and families.
