Christmas around the world

In this article, Regan Moran will be informing the readers of The Scroll about how Christmas is celebrated in different countries.

How Christmas is Celebrated in Different Countries

By Regan Moran

In America, many Americans see Christmas as a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Others see it as a time to be close to family and friends. These are just some of the ways to celebrate Christmas. The other 195 countries in the world have both similar and different ways they chose to celebrate this festive holiday. This article will cover seven countries that celebrate Christmas in different ways.

The Netherlands

Starting this expedition in the country of the Netherlands, located in Western Europe, we get an insight into the cultural traditions of the Dutch people. In the Netherlands, Christmas is celebrated very similarly to how it is observed in the United States. Dutch children wait for Santa to bring them presents, and families decorate their homes with Christmas trees and festive decorations. However, unlike in most countries, the Dutch people have their own Christmas almost a month before Dec. 25. Dec. 6 is St. Nicholas Day, believed to be his birthday, but many families have their big celebrations on Dec. 5.

Celebration of St. Nicholas. Photo Credit: The Customs of Christmas

Child's shoe filled with carrots. Photo Credit: The Old Farmer's Almanac

Children will leave their shoes by the fireplace or a window, in hopes that St. Nicholas will leave treats inside their shoes. Kids who want more presents will leave hay and carrots in their shoes for St. Nicholas’ horse to eat which, in return, will get them more presents. According to WhyChristmas.com, a Christmas legend is that St. Nicholas’ helpers, Piets, will give good kids presents. But for bad children, the Piets will put them in a sack and take them to Spain for a year to teach them how to behave. It may be considered kidnapping but, if it makes kids behave, then the Netherlands must be doing something right.

Germany

Jumping over to Central Europe, we land in the country of Germany. The streets are filled with families buying gifts for one another. Christmas markets are set up, and Stern Singers (kids dressed as three wise men) carol for all to hear. It may seem like a nice and peaceful place to spend time with friends and family, but not for people who are afraid of the Krampus Nacht. This tradition is conveyed in other countries as well, not just Germany. According to WhyChristmas.com, adults dressed up as the Krampus go around in the streets, scaring children who have been naughty.

Group of Krampus dressed crowd at Christmas Festival. Photo Credit: The Seattle Times

Town in Germany during Christmas. Photo Credit: Jacob's Christmas

Moving past the scary Krampus, Germans usually set up their Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. In America, lots of families choose to have a fake Christmas tree displayed in their homes. However, in Germany, having a fake Christmas tree is frowned upon. Germany also opens presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. Dec 25. is seen as a day that friends and family gather together.

Austria

Expanding over to the East of Central Europe, we take a look at the country of Austria. Children are running from store to store, parents are buying thoughtful gifts for loved ones, and full-grown adults are running in the street dressed as Krampus, scaring innocent children. If seeing one of these people dressed as Krampus wasn't enough, they also go house to house in search of good and bad kids. Good kids are rewarded with treats such as peanuts, sweets, and tangerines. The bad kids, on the other hand, get a warning from the Krampus. Looking past the terrifying costumes, Austria has some beautiful nationwide traditions. According to an Austria article, in many cities on Christmas Eve, a tree lighting event is held. At 7 p.m., families gather around to watch the tree being lit up with festive lights. The night ends with singing Christmas carols.

Kids with St. Nicholas and Krampus during Christmas Festival. Photo Credit: Austria

Russia

Russian Christmas Mass Feast. Photo Credit: Living Orthodox Traditions

Moving East of Europe, we step foot into the country of Russia. In Russia, the typical day to celebrate Christmas is on Jan. 7 which, to others, may sound odd with no explanation. In the Russian orthodox church, they tend to follow the old “Julian” calendar for their religious celebrations. They usually spend Christmas with family, giving gifts to their loved ones, and decorating their homes for Christmas. According to ThoughtCo. , a way Russians celebrate is by fasting on Christmas Eve to prepare for a family feast called Christmas Mass. At the Christmas Mass, families gather together to sit down and enjoy traditional Russian dishes.

India

Cutting through to Southern Asia, we land in the country of India. Walking down the streets in most Indian cities, pedestrians will definitely see giant, star-shaped lanterns hanging in between houses in the streets. These beautiful lanterns are called star lanterns. Many churches are decorated with flowers and candles for the famous Christmas Eve Midnight Mass service. What is a Midnight Mass? This is a time where families will gather together for a massive feast, full of traditional Indian courses. During this service, many people will exchange gifts with loved ones. To prepare for this national holiday, some families decorate their homes weeks or even a month in advance. Instead of the traditional pine Christmas tree in most countries, India has a unique way to make Christmas their own. According to WhyChristmas.com, Indian families will often find either a banana or mango tree to decorate in their homes. They even use mango leaves for decoration.

Star Lanterns in India. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Decorated banana tree. Photo Credit: HalfCute

China

Traditional Christmas apples in China. Photo Credit: CGTN

Santa in China shopping center with a Saxophone. Photo Credit: China Admissions

Moving East of India, we reach the country of China. Christmas in China is not seen as a religious holiday, since only 3.5% of China’s population refer to themselves as Christians. This holiday is seen as Valentine's Day or a romantic holiday. Like Christmas in the United States, many people in China send gifts to family and friends. According to China Highlights, it is a cultural tradition to send friends peace apples on Christmas Eve, but these are not regular apples. Eating a peace apple is supposed to bring people a safe and peaceful new year.

Like the United States, China also has Santa Claus in public places. But this Santa is not seen as a gift bringer. He is instead seen as an “atmosphere lifter”. In many malls or shopping centers, shoppers will hear the sound of a saxophone playing while they shop for their holiday gifts. This is because Santa, in China, is often seen playing the saxophone to lift the mood for the holiday.

Japan

Going East of China past North and South Korea, we land in the country of Japan. Though a lot of people may celebrate Christmas in Japan, it is not seen as a national holiday. Japanese celebrate this festive holiday much like China. They see it as a holiday for love and gathering with friends and family for parties. According to Japan RailPass, Christmas Eve is even seen as the most romantic day of the entire year. In Japanese culture, Christmas Eve is the day that the streets are decorated to represent a romantic atmosphere. Many young Japanese couples go to town to have romantic dinner dates and buy one another special gifts. A very popular way to celebrate Christmas in Japan is to order Kentucky Fried Chicken and have a family meal at home.

Couple downtown during Christmas. Photo Credit: TokyoTreat

Family celebrating Christmas with KFC. Photo Credit: My Japan Guide

All of these countries have very different ways to celebrate Christmas. Some cultures see Christmas as romantic: a time to gather with friends and family, have huge feasts, and complete gift exchanges. At the end of the day, each country makes Christmas its own beautiful holiday.