Christmas Traditions Around the World

Christmas is a holiday celebrated all around the world, but have you ever thought of the traditions outside of the US? In America, the winter season means decorating a tree, putting up lights, and waiting for Santa Claus to come down your chimney. In other parts of the world, Christmas is filled with even more! Apart from the obvious differences like food and when the holiday is celebrated, many countries have some pretty cool traditions that might just make you want to travel this holiday season.

Austria has some interesting Christmas customs, but to start, Austrians display decorations like the Advent Wreath, which Holds candles, ribbons, and evergreen twigs. Many towns in Austria have Christmas markets (Christkindlmarkt) that sell decorations, food, and Glühwein (a sweet wine). Every town has a giant Christmas tree in the town square, and in homes there are individual trees brightened with gold and silver ornaments. Under the tree are the presents delivered by St. Nicholas and Christkind, a baby with wings who symbolizes the newborn Christ. Although Christmas is a time for festivities and enjoyment, St. Nicholas is followed by Krampus, a big-horned beast that punishes children who have been naughty. He is the child of Hel, goddess of the underworld and is the darker side of Austria’s Christmas.

In Mexico, Christmas is celebrated from December 12th to January 6th. From the 16th to the 24th, children celebrate and perform Las Posada processions. This honors the nine days that Mary and Joseph searched for someplace to stay. Each day, kids will sing songs to neighboring homes and, when one lets them in, have a party. Nativity scenes or the Nacimiento is an important part of Christmas for Hispanics and can even take up full rooms. Christmas Eve is dubbed Noche Buena with a meal in the evening comprising of Pozole, roast turkey, tamales, and more. At midnight, families will go to the Midnight Mass and watch fireworks. Children get their presents from Santa Claus on December 24th, while in the south, they get them on January 6th.

In the Philippines, Christmas takes up a big chunk of the year because it starts in September! Most Filipinos are Christians, and because of this they hold many masses. In the beginning of December, families will go to early morning masses called Misa de Gallo, which progress to the Feast of the Three Kings in January. Those in the Philippines also have Santa Claus, Christmas trees, cards, and carols from western countries. A distinctive tradition would be the Philippine Embassy Christmas Parol, a bamboo pole with a star lantern on the top that illustrates the star that guided the Wise Men. Food includes Puto Bumbong (rice cake), Pancit Malabon (Filipino pasta), and the original Christmas ham. Finally, in the Philippines there is the Giant Lantern Festival, where huge colorful lanterns highlight the symbol of hope and light.

Christmas in Colombia starts December 7th. It is known as “The Day Of Candles." On that day, they line the streets, houses, and churches with hundreds of candles. Lights are hung everywhere. From street lamps, houses, trees, and even flowers covered in colorful lights. If you like eating cheesy or sweet food, you’re in luck because during Christmas Eve, food such as bunuelos and lechona tolimense, are had. Bunuelos are deep fried cheesy dough balls served with sugar cane syrup called piloncillo and lechona tolimense are pieces of pork stuffed to the brim with rice, peas, potatoes, and spices. Along with the thousands of lights and traditional songs, one obscure tradition is to wear yellow underwear during New Year's Eve for good luck.

From the 1920s to 1991, the Soviet Union banned Christmas because of the revolution in Russia, but now the unbanned holiday Christmas is a small, quieter celebration. In Russia, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th or December 25th (if you are Catholic). Some people will fast until the first star has appeared on Christmas Eve. In Russia, they have no meat Christmas Eve, saving it for Christmas Day. So wheat/rice porridge with honey, poppy seeds, fruit, and more is eaten on the night before. Similar to those in Mexico, families will go to midnight mass and come home early in the morning, sometimes 4 or 5 a.m. Presents for children are delivered by Grandfather Frost and his granddaughter, The Snow Maiden. When they appear, the lights and the star on the Christmas Tree light up.

In the U.S., Christmas is on the 24th and 25th, but in Sweden there are three different celebrations. St Lucia’s Day is held on December 13th and celebrates Lucia, a young girl who secretly brought food to persecuted Christians in Rome. She’s portrayed as a little girl with candles on her head and a red sash; December 13th is also the Winter Solstice. On Christmas Eve, a feast is held with a julebord that holds fish, cold meats, and cheeses. There’s also bread with butter, meatballs and sweet pastries. In the city of Gävle, a gigantic straw goat or the Yule Goat is built; he oversees Christmas and protects the house and tree. Presents are brought by Jultomten or Christmas Gnome. Christmas official ends on January 13th.