Making cookies, watching Elf in festive PJ’s, or decorating a tree are all amazing Christmas traditions people have. Whatever your tradition may be, it probably holds a special place in your heart. Just like in the United States, other countries have their own special customs. After doing some research, I found five countries that celebrate Christmas in a different yet exciting and interesting way.
Australia:
In Australia, instead of Christmas being celebrated during winter, it’s enjoyed during their summer season. Similar to the United States, Australians hang wreaths, sing carols, and hold light display contests. People in Australia also decorate their homes with a native tree called Christmas Bush or poinsettia plants. Throughout Australia, famous singers or local bands perform carols, while being broadcasted on TV. Typical Christmas dinner includes a barbeque with seafood or traditional English food. Also, some Australians believe that instead of reindeer Santa uses kangaroos!
Brazil:
Many of Brazil’s traditions originate from Portugal (the former ruler of Brazil). To celebrate Christmas, many people perform Christmas plays and set off fireworks. For Christmas dinner, a variety of foods are eaten, like pork, turkey, ham, salads, fruits, and rice cooked with raisins. Santa Claus is known as Papai Noel or Bom Velhino in Brazil. Papai Noel sometimes exchanges presents for socks! Another fun fact is that at the end of December, many people get a 13th salary, which is basically double the normal amount of money they made that month.
China:
Christmas is mainly celebrated in large cities in China. Since Christmas is not a mainstream holiday, not many Chinese people have a Christmas tree, and if they do, it is usually a fake one decorated with paper chains, flowers, or lanterns. Additionally, when delivering letters, some postmen may dress up as Santa Claus (known as Shen Dan Lao Ren in China). A popular tradition is giving family and friends apples as presents. This is because Christmas Eve in Mandarin means peaceful, and the word apple in Mandarin sounds like the word peace.
Russia:
From 1929 till 1991, celebrating Christmas was banned in Russia, so instead, New Year’s became the big holiday. During the New Year, Grandfather Frost (known as Ded Moroz in Russia) delivers presents to children with the help of his granddaughter, Snegurochka. In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th because the Russian church’s use the Julian calendar. On Christmas Eve, foods like beet soup (borsh), porridge, vegetable pies, salads, and dumplings (pirogies and pelmeni) are eaten.
Sweden:
Swedish people have many interesting Christmas Eve traditions. For example, since 1959, 40-50% of Swedish people tune in to watch the Donald Duck special, “From All of Us to All of You.” Also, a common belief in Sweden is that a Yule Goat makes sure all of the Christmas preparations go smoothly. Some people even go singing house to house dressed as a goat. The Swedish Christmas lunch is composed of a buffet (known as a julbord in Sweden), which includes cold meats, cheeses, bread, sausages (prinskorv), cabbage rolls (kaldolmar), potatoes, and pig’s feet.
Other places may celebrate differently than in the United States, but when it all boils down the main message of Christmas is clear. Despite different cultures, it’s universal that December is a time for family, friends, and joy. I hope you have an amazing holiday season!
If you want to find out more about other countries Christmas traditions, check out:
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