CulturallyOurs Christmas Traditions from around The World

ABCs Of Christmas Celebrations From Around The World – Part I

12.04.18
CulturallyOurs Christmas Traditions from around The World

Did you know that New Years is one of the most celebrated holidays around the world with Christmas a close second? Have you ever wondered what Christmas traditions are around the world? This was one of the questions on our Culture Quiz tests which tests your culture competency in a fun way by asking such questions and many more.

Go take the quiz and find out your cultural competency here – we promise you it really is a lot of fun!

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois has a wonderful exhibit every year where they showcase how different cultures and countries around the world celebrate Christmas by way of how they decorate their Christmas tree, the foods that they eat and the rituals that they participate in during the month of December and January. This tradition has been going on for the past 75 years and every year seems to be grander than the precious. This year, the team over at CulturallyOurs had an opportunity to visit the museum and view the exhibit.

Here are some images and snippets from the MSI’s Christmas Around The World exhibit.

Australia – ‘Merry Christmas’

Summer is in full swing during Christmastime in the Southern Hemisphere and in Australia, Santa is often depicted wearing shorts and flip flops. Christmas trees are decorated with homemade paper chains, decorations representing native Australian fauna and flora like sheep and koala bears, a cricket bat to represent their favorite national pastime and even candy like YumYums. Some people also hang ornaments are created by indigenous Australian artists which reflect the multicultural nature of the country.

CulturallyOurs Christmas Traditions from around the world tree decorations from Australia

Austria – ‘Frohe Weihnachten’

To celebrate Austrian pride, red and white heart-shaped plaques depicting cities, provinces and famous Austrians, as well as pinecones, decorate the tree. And traditional Austrian Christmas tree always has some sugar-filled paper tassels. Families gather on Christmas Eve to enjoy dinner, featuring baked or fried carp. Christkind (Christ child), often a young woman dressed in robes, visits Austrian homes to give gifts to children.

Belgium – ‘Joyeux Noël’ (French), ‘Vrolijk Kerstfeest’ (Dutch), ‘Fröhliche Weihnachten’ (German)

With such a diverse and multi-cultural country, the Christmas trees in Belgium typically feature a mix of ornaments along with other items that represent Belgium, such as waffle ornaments and pictures of the king and queen. Families enjoy baking and eating. Speculoos (spiced cookies shaped like St. Nicholas) and buche de Noël (a yule log cake) are particular favorites.

Belize – ‘Merry Christmas’

Wooden doves, painted white to symbolize peace decorate the Christmas tree. The country’s maritime culture is represented through handmade wooden boat ornaments as well as other ornaments like Belize-grown dried flowers, which resemble acorns, and handmade dolls. For the nine evenings of Las Posadas (celebrated by Mestizo culture), statues of Mary and Joseph are carried throughout town, from home to home, accompanied by music, dance, fireworks and other festivities. In Garifuna culture, the Charikanari dance interprets the relationship of a bull and a hunter with elaborate costumes, fun and games. Creole communities in Belize celebrate the Bram, a parade of dancing, singing and music-making throughout the countryside.

Bolivia – ‘Feliz Navidad’

One of the most beautiful trees in MSI’s exhibit, this tree has ornaments from the three main regions of the country—high plains, low plains and the valleys. The ornaments include llamas, red, yellow and green totora boats, and native Cholita dolls that represent the city of La Paz. In Bolivia, Christmas centers on the birth of Jesus. It is believed that gifts come from Jesus and Santa Claus delivers those gifts. This religious holiday is spent with family and celebrated with special dinners consisting of picana (a soup made of chicken, roast beef or roast pork), salads and a variety of tropical fruits.

Canada – ‘Merry Christmas’ (English), ‘Joyeux Noël’ (French)

The Christmas tree showcases the Canadian cultural pride in its cold temperatures, love of hockey and the country’s national symbol, the maple leaf. French Canadians celebrate Christmas with a réveillon (awakening). After mass, at around 2 a.m., a huge feast is served, featuring tourtière (a meat pie seasoned with sweet spices). In northern Canada, Inuits celebrate a winter festival called Sinck Tuck. In Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, costumed belsnicklers (also known as masked mummers) travel door to door, making music and noise, asking for treats.

CulturallyOurs Christmas Traditions from around the world tree decorations from Canada

China – ‘Seng Dan Fai Lok’

Origami ornaments and paper lanterns decor a typical Christmas tree. The adornments showcase the special art of paper folding, which is a tradition during the holiday season. This art has been passed on for centuries and provides unity among the young and old as a way to decorate for special holidays. The lanterns represent light, leading the way to brighter horizons. Lanterns are historically created for China’s Lantern Festival and follows the holiday season, typically in February or March.

Denmark – ‘Glædelig Jul’

The Danish tree is adorned with traditional dolls, flags, angels, hearts, muffs and much more. The celebration in Denmark begins with Advent, taking place four weeks before Christmas. A wreath crown is decorated with four candles, one lit each of the four Sundays before Christmas. On Christmas Eve, a traditional Danish feast includes roast goose and rice pudding in which an almond is hidden. The person who finds the almond receives a gift.

Ecuador – ‘Feliz Navidad’

During the Pase del Niño Viajero (festival of the traveling infant child) held in Cuenca, Ecuador on December 24, costumed children parade through town with floats, animals and music. Children also bring gifts of fruit to their neighborhood’s nativity scene as offerings to the Christ child.

Egypt – ‘Nofri Shai’ (Coptic), ‘Eid Sa’id’ (Arabic), ‘Merry Christmas’

In accordance with the Coptic calendar, the Copts (Egyptian Christians) observe Advent for 43 days prior to Christmas and celebrate the holiday on January 7. During this time, they fast from all meals for a certain period of the day then restrict to a vegan diet. As Christmas approaches, trees and homes are decorated with lights and ornaments, and new outfits are purchased for both children and adults alike. On Christmas Eve, Copts attend a midnight mass, then gather together after the service in their homes and feast together in celebration.

CulturallyOurs Christmas Traditions from around the world tree decorations from Egypt

England – ‘Happy Christmas’

In England, families decorate their homes with holly, ivy and mistletoe. At night, carolers go from house to house, ringing handbells and singing Christmas songs. People give the carolers treats in return for spreading Christmas cheer.

Estonia – Haid Joule Ja Head Uut Aastat’

As part of the Song and Dance Festival, which takes place in the Estonian capital Tallinn once every five years, most of the 20,000 singers and 7,000 folk dancers wear national dress. This is the largest event featuring Estonian national costumes. To represent this proud tradition, small dolls in costumes decorate the Estonian tree. The garlands are belts that are a key part of the national costume and are specific to each region. Apples are a longstanding traditional decoration. Small, woven snowflakes and festive handmade children’s mittens represent “hand arts,” a longstanding custom for women in Estonia. Snowflakes and icicles also adorn the tree in honor of the cold northern European climate.

Finland – Hyvää Joulua’

All Finns know that Santa Claus, also known as Jouloupukki, lives in northern Finland near the Arctic Circle—a short jaunt to the homes of good Finnish boys and girls. Christmas dinner is served on December 24, and Santa arrives afterwards while children are still awake, so they have the chance to greet him!

CulturallyOurs Christmas Traditions from around the world tree decorations from Finland

France – ‘Joyeux Noël’

Christmas ornaments in France tend to be elaborate and decorative in celebration of French culture and attribution to fashion. In addition to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, some regions in France also celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6 and Three Kings Day on January 6. Pain calendau is a bread that is traditionally shared with the needy and galette des rois (king cake) is served on January 6.

Germany- ‘Fröhliche Weihnachten’

German ornaments include wooden nutcrackers and blocks, many St. Nick figures, angels and Hummels. The clear lights represent candles that were used many years ago, per the Meiszner-Csapo tradition. The gold garland represents the tinsel that used to adorn the tree. In Germany, Christmas is a time to bring family together and celebrate love with hearty Christmas meals. Christmas day feasts often include roasted pig, spaetzles (dumplings), bread, nut strudel, gingerbread, chocolate and homemade wine.

Hungary – ‘Boldog Karácsonyt’

In Hungary, painted heart-shaped cookies are a traditional Christmas tree staple, along with colored glass ornaments, Hungarian candy, apples and pears. Popular Hungarian sweets and chocolates (szaloncukor) are also used as decoration, and underneath the tree you’ll see Hungarian dolls. The tree is decorated on the evening of December 24, and kids are not allowed in the room where the tree stands until they have heard a ringing bell. Presents are opened on Christmas Eve.

Iceland – ‘Gleðilig Jól’

In Iceland, legend has it that 13 days before Christmas, 13 elfish pranksters known as Yulemen (each with a different personality and prank) descend upon Icelandic towns. Historically, these mischief-makers would steal and cause trouble, but today they leave small gifts in the shoes of deserving children. A church and a farmhouse is displayed on the tree’s base to represent replicas of traditional churches and farmhouses from Þingvellir, Iceland, a site of historical, cultural, and geological significance. The hand-knitted spherical ornaments feature a traditional wool sweater pattern (lopapeysa) and represent the country’s popular weaving customs.

CulturallyOurs Christmas Traditions from around the world tree decorations from Iceland decorations on Christmas tree

India – ‘Shubh Naya Baras’

India’s Christian community celebrates Christmas by attending midnight mass and decorating their homes with ornate nativity scenes, lights and clay lamps perched atop their roofs. Many Indians also hang a star on the front of their homes until January 6, Three Kings Day.

Ireland – ‘Nollaig Shona Duit’

Ornaments such as mistletoe, thatched cottages, Celtic crosses, angels, Claddagh rings, Irish flags, shamrocks representing the Trinity, teacups and harps decorte the Christmas tree. No Christmas dinner in Ireland would be complete without crackers, brightly colored foil tubes filled with silly hats and toys that are popped open just before dinner. Families wear the hats throughout dinner.

Italy – ‘Buon Natale’

La Befana is the female Italian equivalent of Santa Claus. She is an elderly, witchlike woman who flies above the country on a broomstick, giving gifts to children on January 6 (Epiphany). Legend tells that La Befana declined an invitation from the wise men to join them in Bethlehem, and to this day and for all eternity, she continues to search for the baby Jesus.

Japan – ‘Merii Kurisumasu’

There aren’t many Christians in Japan, so they celebrate Christmas as a way to spread happiness rather than a religious celebration. Santa is known as Santa-san (Mr. Santa). Another Japanese gift bringer is Hoteiosho, a Japanese god of good fortune from Buddhism, but not necessarily related to Christmas. The ornaments on the Japanese tree represent aspects of their culture, and each ornament is handcrafted and derived from the method of origami—the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. Paper cranes, Washi-Ningyou (paper dolls in traditional Japanese kimonos), Kusudama (traditional Japanese silk thread ball), and paper Kabuto (warrior’s helmet) all are used as decorations for Christmas.

CulturallyOurs Christmas Traditions from around the world tree decorations from Japan

Korea – ‘Sung Tan Chuk Ha’

Christmas is not a major celebration in Korea as it is in the West, but it is a time for sharing and making donations to those less fortunate. Children believe in Santa Haraboji (Grandfather Santa), and many youngsters participate in a Christmas Eve pageant at their church and go caroling after services. Paper ornaments, showcasing the country’s popular craft often decorate Christmas trees and these handcrafted items include household objects like wardrobes, cabinets, chests, boxes, calligraphy desks, writing-brush holders and candle stands.

Latvia – ‘Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus’

On Christmas Eve, the family gathers around the Christmas tree and sings traditional folk carols. Later, Ziemassvētku vecītis (Old Man Winterfest or Father Christmas), a stern looking man with a long white beard, may bring gifts for good children and brushwood switches for lazy or unmindful ones. Latvians traditionally use natural and readily available materials for ornaments and decorations like many puzuri (straw ornaments) that are threaded into geometric shapes. Also on the tree are prievītes (ribbon woven with ethnic designs), cranberry garlands, pinecones, apples and nuts. Handmade dolls are dressed in folk costumes. To honor trees usually decorated with lit candles, candles adorn the tree alongside white lights.

Lebanon – ‘Milad Majeed’ (Arabic), ‘Joyeux Noël’ (French)

In Lebanon, a few weeks before Christmas, beans, peas, wheat and lentil seeds are planted. Christians will decorate a manger in nativity scenes with the newly sprouted plants. At Christmastime, people visit one another’s homes, where they indulge in sugared almonds with coffee and liquor. The main meal consists of roast beef, chicken, rice, and kibbeh, which is made of crushed wheat mixed with meat, onions, salt and pepper. Lebanon’s ornaments are doves to symbolize peace, pine cones to symbolize eternity and to represent cedar trees native to Lebanon, and white snowflakes to symbolize serenity.

CulturallyOurs Christmas Traditions from around the world tree decorations from Lebanan white doves for peace

The trees are all decorated to reflect the beautiful diversity in cultures around the world and how each of them celebrate Christmas in their own way.

Click here for Part II of Christmas celebrations from around the world.

{Original article and Christmas traditions can be found on the MSI’s website here}

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Leave your comments below

  1. xamyra says:

    FINLAND – HYVÄÄ JOULUA’
    CANADA – ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’ (ENGLISH), ‘JOYEUX NOËL’ (FRENCH)

    EGYPT – ‘NOFRI SHAI’ (COPTIC), ‘EID SA’ID’ (ARABIC), ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’