A World Tour Of Christmas Celebrations

“It’s Christmas all over the world tonight.” This is one of the lines of the Christmas song we often hear as the season nears. Whether in supermarkets, jeepney terminals, or even from our neighbor’s radio. But have you ever wondered how Christmas is celebrated around the world?

If yes, I got you! Today, I will give you a world tour of Christmas celebrations.

Australia

Christmas in Australia is celebrated during summer. During this season, they enjoy the beaches where they play different water activities. Wearing their cute Santa hats, they surf and bond with their families and the crowd. Another Christmas highlight in Australia would be the large carols in each state city which can be watched live and simultaneously broadcasted on TV across the country.

Brazil

It seems like Brazil lives up to the quote, “Christmas is for kids.” During this time, children leave a sock near their windows. If Papai Noel, their version of Santa Claus, finds their sock, he will exchange it for a present. Brazilians, especially Catholics, also attend midnight mass services like the other countries where Catholicism subsists.

Egypt

Egyptians celebrate their Christmas on the 7th of January. Since most of them belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church, they have unique Christmas traditions. One is their special fast called ‘The Holy Nativity Fast,’ where they can’t eat anything animal-based product. This takes place for 43 days before Christmas, so they get to eat whatever they want when the actual day comes.

India

Instead of traditional Christmas Trees, any tree can be decorated in India. In some cities, other traditions include caroling around their neighbors for a week before Christmas. They also love eating sweets during this day like neureos (a small fried pastry filled with dried fruit and coconut) and dodol (a toffee that has coconut and cashew).

Iceland

Christmas in Iceland, which extends to New Year Celebration, is called ‘Jól.’ Since they have many traditions during this time, they celebrate it on different days. One big custom during ‘Jól’ is the coming of the 13 Santas or the ‘Jólasveinarnir’/Jóltide Lads. These are said to be magical people from the Iceland mountains that come separately each day from the 12th of December to Christmas Eve. They are believed to be playful elves who like to eat and play tricks with people.

Russia

Russia’s official Christmas and New Year holidays last from the 31st of December to the 10th of January. Unlike other countries, Russians see Christmas to be more religious and private. One of their traditions also includes fasting on Christmas Eve and only eating until the first star has appeared. They eat ‘kutia’ (a kind of porridge) in one common bowl to symbolize unity.

Singapore

Christmas is widely celebrated in Singapore despite Christians’ tiny population. Christmas light displays and parks are popular to them; “Christmas Wonderland” is a Christmas-themed park famous to tourists and locals during this season.

Vietnam

Christmas Eve is often more important than Christmas day to Vietnamese people. They celebrate it by throwing confetti and taking pictures as they enjoy the decorations in malls and the streets. Some of them spend the Eve in churches where they adore the sight of life-size statues of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the shepherds, and animals. Meanwhile, Santa in Vietnam is called ‘Ông già Noel.’

Now that you know how Christmas is in other countries, I hope you get the idea next time you celebrate overseas. As I cannot include all the countries in the world, shall I make a sequel? Maybe, next Christmas.