Christmas is a time of celebration for Christians around the world. Not only does the holiday unite Christians around the world, it's also a chance to see how each culture uniquely chooses to celebrate the holiday and their traditions.
Traditions, old and new, are a huge part of any celebration, and vary greatly in different countries. Traditions around the Christmas holiday vary around the world - and can even differ from one family to the next!
As Great American Christmas celebrates Christmas as it's meant to be, we want to honor and hold the values and traditions that mean the most to you and your family. Which is why we wanted to share 12 of our most favorite Christmas traditions from all over the globe, including Christmas traditions you can find here in our own country.
Unique Christmas Traditions in European Countries
How Sweden Celebrates St. Lucia Day
December 13th is known as St. Lucia Day in Scandinavian countries and started in Sweden. This day marks the beginning of the Christmas season, called "little Yule." A main focus of the day is light, as this day occurs near the shortest day of the year. There are many St. Lucia Day traditions, but the most common in Sweden is described in this History.com article:
Traditionally, the oldest daughter in each family rises early and wakes each of her family members, dressed in a long, white gown with a red sash, and wearing a crown made of twigs with nine lighted candles. For the day, she is called “Lussi” ...The family then eats breakfast in a room lighted with candles.
Light is a main theme of St. Lucia Day as her name, which is derived from the Latin word lux, means light. Her feast day is celebrated near the shortest day of the year, when the sun’s light again begins to strengthen.
One way you can try this Christmas tradition of celebrating St. Lucia Day in your own home is by eating your meals by candlelight or having a bonfire after twilight.
How Yule Logs Became Tradition in France
Speaking of candlelight dinners, in southern France, where Christmas is called Noel, families burn logs in their homes from Christmas Eve until New Year's Day, which is the period of time they call "Yule."
Thist started as a tradition among farmers to bring good luck for a good harvest in the next year. Since fireplaces were becoming smaller, logs often became the dinner centerpiece at Christmas in honor of the tradition, often with garnishes or decorations to make them more appealing to the eye.
As time went on, the tradition of an edible yule log cake took place as the dining room centerpiece (Who isn't surprised since France is also known for their pastries!). But across France, the edible yule log cake as a substitute for a real wood log, took hold as the next Christmas tradition.
The Great American Original movie "A Paris Christmas Waltz" takes place in the heart of France, the city of Paris. In this movie, you'll be able to see all the beautiful Christmas decorations and traditions France practices as Emma gets the chance to visit the city of love at Christmastime.
In "A Paris Christmas Waltz," contemplating life's next steps, Emma meets professional dancer Leo whose love for dancing is waning. But when a lifetime opportunity arises, the two will join forces and sweep Paris off its feet.
Festive Christmas Tradition in Sweden
In Finland, it is a Christmas tradition for families visit the sauna on Christmas Eve before their Christmas meal and visit gravesites of deceased family members who are no longer with their families to celebrate Christmas. We're not sure about you, but the trip to the sauna sounds like a wonderful start to Christmas festivities!
December is also the month to celebrate Finland's Independence Day. Traditionally, the Finns listen to the “Peace of Christmas” national radio broadcast and place two candles in the windowsill to honor those who have passed in the war to gain the country's independence.
Traditional Christmas Celebration in Belgium
In Belgium, instead of Santa Claus, children are visited by Pere Noel, in this Christmas tradition. They are not brought gifts on Christmas Day, but instead on December 6th, which is St. Nicolas’ Day. Good children receive chocolates and other treats, but naughty children get sticks. Jesus’ birthday is celebrated separately on December 25th.
Read Also: 15 Christmas Prayers to Share With Your Family
Belgium is also known for their chocolates, including their hot chocolate, which is a Christmas tradition we see in the movie, "A Belgian Chocolate Christmas." A photographer takes her friend's place at a Belgian culinary school at Christmas and connects with the leading chocolatier. Romance begins to bloom, the only problem is a case of mistaken identity.
How the Christmas Tree Tradition Originated in Germany
Ever wonder where the tradition of putting a Christmas tree up in your home comes from? We can thank the German! The Christmas tree in your living room is actually a tradition that originated in Germany. According to History.com:
Decorating evergreen trees had always been a part of the German winter solstice tradition. The first “Christmas trees” explicitly decorated and named after the Christian holiday, appeared in Strasbourg, in Alsace in the beginning of the 17th century.
German settlers brought the Christmas tree tradition over to American during the 19th century.
A Traditional Christmas in Ireland
Christmas in Ireland is very religious and focuses on feasts and church services. The celebration begins on Christmas Eve and extends until Epiphany (Jan. 6th), which is when the Wise Men’s visit to baby Jesus is celebrated.
England's Tradition Christmas Dessert
England has many Christmas traditions. Not only does the custom of writing Christmas cards trace back to England (where they write "Happy Christmas" on the inside!), but the making of figgy pudding also comes from England traditions.
This is an English dish that dates back to the Middles Ages. Traditionally prepared on Advent’s first Sunday, family members each give the dense pudding, comprised fo a staggering 13 ingredients, a taxing stir for good luck. Sometimes, a coin might be dropped into the batter, and the lucky finder of that coin in their slice of pudding is said to have luck and wealth for the next year.
The Great American Original Christmas movie, "A Hot Cocoa Christmas" takes place in London. When the owner of a local charity organization meets a graphic designer at a Christmas party, she hides the fact that she is the daughter of a wealthy advertising executive.
Italy's Unique Christmas Custom
In other parts of the world, you don't go door to door singing carols, but rather, reciting poems. In Italy, it is Christmas tradition that children go from house to house reciting hymns and poems in exchange for money to buy presents. The Christmas season is three weeks long, starting eight days before Christmas and extending until Epiphany on January 6th. (I wonder how much toy money the children have by the end of the three week Christmas season?)
Babushka – Russia
In Russia, the traditional Christian Christmas season is being replaced by the secular Festival of Winter, but some Christmas traditions remain, like the Babushka:
Babushka is a traditional Christmas figure who distributes presents to children. Her name means grandmother and the legend is told that she declined to go with the wise men to see Jesus because of the cold weather. However, she regretted not going and set off to try and catch up, filling her basket with presents. She never found Jesus, and that is why she visits each house, leaving toys for good children.
Festive Christmas Traditions from Around Rest of the World
The Sweater Tradition that Started it All
We all probably have one of those scratchy, itchy and horrible ugly Christmas sweaters in the back of our closet that we pull out once a year to wear. But did you know that this Christmas tradition actually started in our neighboring country, Canada, and was initially called "Jingle Bell Sweaters"?
According to the authors of “Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book: The Definitive Guide to Getting Your Ugly On,” the first ugly sweater party was held in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 2002. The popularity of sweaters that started in the 1950s and grew throughout the 80s helped this movement gain traction over the years.
In the Great American Christmas Original movie, "My Christmas Hero," Nicole Ramsey, played by Candace Cameron Bure, hosts an ugly Christmas sweater party. Nicole is an army reserve doctor tracks down her family's military history with the help of a new romance.
'Christmas Old Man' Tradition in China
In China, Santa Claus is called Dun Che Lao Ren which means "Christmas Old Man.” Christian children decorate Christmas trees and hang muslin stockings they hope for Dun Che Lao Ren to fill with gifts and treats. Non-Christians celebrate the Spring Festival during this time of year to honor and remember ancestors.
India's Banana Christmas Tree Tradition
It's easy to forget that Christmastime isn't in winter for every country around the world. The southern hemisphere celebrates Christmas during their summer season, where different crops and plants are likely to be in season than those in the winter. For example, instead of pine trees, Christians in India decorate banana or mango trees for Christmas as tradition, giving their celebration a tropical feel.
The Unique Christmas Tradition in Jesus’ Birth Town
In Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity stands over the traditional site of the stable where Jesus was born. On Christmas, a massive procession is led by horseback through the city and a flame is passed throughout the crowd to light onlooker's candles.
In "It's Christmas Again," Jake goes back in time to the time of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, where he meets Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.
Beach Barbeque – Australia
In yet another southern hemisphere country, Australia, the only white Christmas is one with white sandy beaches. Christmas occurs in the middle of Australia’s summer and can be one of the hottest days of the year. Beach visits and outdoor barbeques are common and seafood is often a Christmas dish. Ever pictured Santa on a surfboard and catching the waves?
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