Christmas around the world

Christmas holiday traditions aren't the same in every country. What do Christmas celebrations look like in other parts of the world? Do they even celebrate Christmas and know the magic of Christmas?

Atypical French

Families in France celebrate Christmas Eve together. In the evening, children put their shoes in front of the fireplace and wait for Pere Noel to fill them with gifts. His companion, Pere Fouettard, should "reward" bad children with a spanking. At midnight, they traditionally serve reveillon, which means wake-up call or the first call of the day. Reveillon symbolises the anticipation of Christ's birth. This meal consists of oysters, sausages, wine, roasted bacon, roasted poultry, salads, fruit and French pastries, especially baguettes. There are distinctive customs in various parts of France. In the south, they eat a loaf of bread cut into a cross, the first part of which must be given to a poor person. In Alsace, fried goose is usually on the table, in Brittany, wheat cakes with sour cream. Burgundians dine on turkey and chestnuts. In the north of France, children receive gifts as early as 6 December – on St. Nicholas Day.

Hot holidays in Africa

Compared to Asia and Latin America, the festive season is probably the least prominent on the African continent. The traditional atmosphere lacks the indispensable snow for us, and especially in Central and Southern Africa, there is no decorated conifer tree. Locals replace it with a decorated palm tree. During the Christmas season, family and acquaintances are visited, but not everyone exchanges gifts, as many people do not have money for toys, for example. Christmas does not play such a commercial role here as in developed countries in Europe or America; it is more about the birth of Jesus Christ, joy, singing, and visiting the church. Christmas, which is similar to our European one, was brought to the African continent mainly by various missionaries and volunteers who come to developing countries for a certain period. The fact that some parts of Africa were colonised by, for example, the English, Spanish, and French – resulted in the adoption of Christmas customs from these nations as well.


Egypt

– Christmas is a little shifted and recorded on December 25 in their calendar, which represents January 7 in our calendar. January 7 in our calendar. In Egypt, many people belong to the Orthodox Coptic Church. The Advent period there lasts for 40 days before Christmas. Egyptian believers fast during this time – they do not eat meat, poultry or dairy products. On Christmas Eve, everyone goes to church in brand new clothes. Services end at midnight with the peal of bells. Then people go home for a festive dinner, during which fata - a dish of bread, rice, garlic and cooked meat - is served. On the first Christmas holiday, people in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East visit friends and neighbours. They bring a special bread for the visit, so as not to burden the hosts with the preparation of refreshments.

Morocco

is a country of mixed cultures and tolerance. The main religion is Islam, with Muslims, Christians and Jews meeting here. Muslims do not have Christmas; a similar holiday is the Feast of Sacrifice. It also has roots in the Bible, in the Old Testament. The sacrifice is a lamb, which they slaughter and eat. However, Moroccans are adaptable. At the markets before Christmas, they sell Christmas trees, and families who have relatives abroad celebrate Christmas.

Benin

is located in West Africa. It used to be a French colony, which is why they celebrate Christmas. The little Jesus is welcomed with a decorated palm tree. On Christmas Eve, before the festive dinner, children receive gifts. Italian dishes and drinks are consumed.

South Africa

Since it is very hot here, locals celebrate the holidays on crowded beaches. They grill, eat cakes, turkey, Christmas pudding – which is something like our bishop's bread. They wear typical paper hats on their heads.

South America and Christmas

Christmas is also celebrated on this continent. They are different thanks to the season – summer and decorated trees, which are mostly artificial. Coniferous trees are not as common as, say, in Slovakia. In these countries, people decorate them with various colourful ornaments. However, the decorations are much more varied and vibrant. On Christmas Eve in Latin America, family is the most important thing. All relatives and neighbours eat prepared dishes together and dance. The most typical symbol is the placement of baby Jesus in the manger. The entire Bethlehem can be placed under the Christmas tree a month before Christmas, but the figure of baby Jesus himself will not appear there until after midnight on Christmas Eve as a sign that Jesus Christ has just been born. Of course, thanks to the developed tourism, many customs from other parts of the world have penetrated into the countries. Latin Americans know Santa Claus.

Colombia

The Christmas season kicks off on December 7 with the lighting of candles. Christmas is celebrated with cheerful music, a decorated Christmas tree and a rich table. On Christmas Eve, the whole family, even neighbours and friends, get together to enjoy the festive atmosphere with a traditional roast turkey. It is also a tradition that almost everyone wears something new for Christmas, as if they were renewing their spirit with a new item.

Peru

Peruvians are used to decorating churches and homes with nativity scenes, performing dances and games, and cooking traditional dishes. During Christmas week, they organise "chocolatadas", which actually means giving a cup of hot chocolate and perhaps a small gift to poor children.

Mexico

In Mexico, Christmas preparations begin nine days before December 24th, starting on December 16th. This period is called Posada. Families in the village take turns hosting Posada each night. Every day, the story of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Bethlehem is re-enacted in different homes. The homeowners play the innkeepers who refuse to give the Holy Family lodging. Children and adults from the neighbourhood act as pilgrims, carrying statues of Joseph, Mary, and a donkey. The procession asks for accommodation at three homes, but only the last one accepts them. After that, they pray together in the house and sing Silent Night at the end. This is followed by a party for the children. One of them is blindfolded and tries to break a paper Pinata (Spanish for nut) with a pilgrim's stick, which is a bowl full of nuts, shells, oranges, sweets and candy. Adults drink punch during the children's game. Mexicans don't give gifts on Christmas Eve. The children receive them on 6 January on the Epiphany, when the Three Kings came to give Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Christmas customs in Asia

Despite the small number of Christians, Christmas celebrations are also known in Asia. They use home decorations, decorate trees, and give gifts. Of course, marked by local characteristics and the culture of the country. There is no shortage of good food and visits to loved ones.

Philippines

The only Asian Christian nation is the Philippines. Christmas celebrations begin as early as December 15 with a well-attended Holy Mass. The story of the birth of Christ is read at it. On Christmas Eve, the so-called Panunuluyan festival always takes place. People choose a couple from among themselves who represent Joseph and Mary. They play the story of how the Holy Family sought shelter in Bethlehem and, when they did not receive it, had to take refuge in a stable. Part of the service on the first Christmas holiday is a play about the birth of the Divine Child. At the end of the mass, a star is lowered from the roof of the church, completing the biblical scene of the birth.

China

Children create colourful paper ornaments (flowers, chains, lamps), which are part of the decoration and Christmas decorations. Compared to Christmas, the arrival of the New Year is celebrated more here, when children receive attention in the form of toys and clothing.

Japan

Only one percent of the population identifies as Christian. Nevertheless, the Japanese celebrate Christmas, decorate their homes and shop windows, and the youngest receive gifts. These are given out by Heteiosha – a priest, and the children believe that he has eyes in the back of his head and watches them all the time. Therefore, they must obey to deserve the reward.

India

In this country, Christmas is not only associated with Christianity, everyone, regardless of their religion, celebrates it. Christians celebrate the holidays in the traditional way, while Indians see them more as a national holiday. Most of them go to local markets and decorate their houses and trees. In some places, instead of a classic Christmas tree, they use banana or mango leaves as decoration. All of this only lasts a few days. You probably won't find a pre-Christmas atmosphere in India. Indians celebrate the holidays of every religion in the country.

Australians Experience a Hot Christmas.

Temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius are not uncommon on Christmas Day. Santa Claus often goes to the beaches, where he rides a surfboard or a lifeguard boat and gives gifts to the children. Some Australians go to the sea for Christmas, others go on trips to the countryside. If they stay at home, they swim in pools, play cricket or do simple housework. The traditional meal is turkey, ham and pork. Plum pudding is served for dessert. In the land of kangaroos, Christmas cake filled with minced meat is also popular at Christmas.

Whether we celebrate Christmas in Europe, Asia or on the opposite side of the hemisphere, the spirit of Christmas remains the same in every corner of the world. People are closer to each other, families, friends, acquaintances meet. It is a time of peace and joy. In the end, it doesn't matter whether Ježiško, Mikuláš, Santa Claus, Papa Noel or Heteiosha brings us gifts.