Christmas Around the World

The Holiday season is steeped in tradition, such as sending Christmas cards. But those traditions can vary greatly depending on what, how and even when you choose to celebrate. While there are lots of commonalities throughout the world, the differences can be vast. Read on for some interesting ways the Christmas season is celebrated throughout the world.

AUSTRALIA
It is typical for Christmas day to be 100 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) and is often celebrated at the beach.

BELGIUM
Belgium boasts two Santas – St. Nicholas and Pere Noel. The first visits those children who speak Woolan and the latter visits those who speak French.

BULGARIA
Bulgarians typically make twelve main food dishes, one for each month of the year and none of them contain meat.

EGYPT
Those attending church in Egypt on Christmas Eve must wear totally new clothes for the occasion.

ENGLAND
One of England’s main customs during the Holiday season is mummering. Adults and children don masks and put on Christmas plays for all to enjoy.

GREECE
Christmas trees are not commonly used in the country of Greece. Instead, a shallow bowl of wood with a piece of wire is used to hang basil wrapped around a cross.

HOLLAND
To announce the coming of Christmas in Holland, farmers blow horns each evening at sunset throughout the Holiday season.

JAPAN
Japan’s Santa Claus figure is known as Hoteisho and is said to have eyes in the back of his head so that children behave in his presence.

NORWAY
It is typical to see Julebukk which appears as a goat-like creature during times of merry-making if you are celebrating in Norway.

RUSSIA
Russians typically call their Holiday season “Festival of Winter” during which time special prayers commence and people sometimes fast for as long as 39 days.

SPAIN
As is tradition in many European countries, Spaniards receive their gifts on the feast of the Epiphany. The season officially begins Dec 8th and ends on Jan 6th, also known as Three King’s Day.

UNITED STATES
Santa Claus is a US native, born in the 1860’s. His name was derived from the Dutch word for St. Nicholas, Sintaklaas.

YUGOSLAVIA
Part of Yugoslavia’s Christmas feast includes a cake called Chestnitsa. It contains a gold coin inside and whoever is fortunate enough to receive it in their piece can expect great luck.