Christmas Customs Around the World

December is well-known for Christmas but do youtwo candles; and so on until all the candles are lit on
know how people in countries around the worldthe eighth night. After lighting the candles, families eat a
celebrate it? Here are some customs from variousfestive meal, dance, play games, and open presents.
parts of the world.They also attend Chanukah parties.
AustraliaJapan
Greeting - Merry ChristmasGreeting - Kurisumasu Omedeto
Santa's Name - Santa Claus. Children leave him aSanta's Name - Santa Kurohsu. He does not appear in
piece of cake or biscuits and a glass of milk or a bottleperson but is pictured in advertisements as a kind old
of beer.man with a round sack on his back.
Food - Many Christmas dinners include roasted meatsFood - Depending upon the family's custom, they eat
and vegetables, special fruit cakes, and puddings withturkey on Christmas Day or on Christmas Eve.
a coin baked inside. Since the temperature can reachJapanese families also eat Christmas cake.
100 degrees Fahrenheit, people are starting to eat coldGifts - Stores sell merchandise for men, women, and
meats and salads, tropical fruits like mangoes, andchildren; and on Christmas Day, families exchange gifts.
stone fruits like plums. Often, the main meal is eatenDecorations - More and more artificial Christmas trees
for lunch.are beginning to appear. They are decorated with
Gifts - These are left under the Christmas tree andsmall toys, gold paper fans, dolls, lanterns, paper
opened Christmas morning.ornaments, and wind chimes. A popular ornament is
Decorations - Shops and homes are decorated withthe origami swan. Other decorations are mistletoe,
tinsel, Christmas trees, decorations for the holiday, andevergreen, tinsel, and lights. An amulet is put on the
special lights.front door for good luck and children exchange 'birds
Customs - Traditional and Australian carols are sungof peace,' pledging there must not be anymore war.
by candlelight on Christmas Eve and are broadcast onCustoms - The daiku, or Great Nine, refers to
television. On Boxing Day, the day after Christmas,Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and is performed many
two sporting events take place:places.
The Boxing Day Test Match (cricket game) and theMexico
start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.Greeting - Feliz Navidad
BrazilCustoms - Beginning on December 15, some families
Greeting - Feliz Natalcarry colorful lanterns and walk from house to house
Santa's Name - Papai Noel (Father Noel), who isin their neighborhoods, each night, until Christmas Eve.
dressed in a red, silk suit with boots.This is called La Posada, which means 'the procession.'
Food - Many people eat a traditional feast with roastOn each of the nights, the families are invited into
turkey and vegetables, while others eat chicken anddifferent houses where they become guests at a
rice or beans. Beer and wine are also served. Someparty. There is plenty to eat and drink. Children play the
regions begin eating around 9 PM on Christmas Eve,pinata game, trying to break open the papier-mache
while others eat around midnight.figure with a stick while blindfolded; when it is cracked
Gifts - Local charities take in donations but do notopen, candies and small gifts fall out.
seem to have enough presents for all the children.Netherlands
Decorations - Brazil has a mixture of people soGreeting - Hartelijke Kerstroeten
Christmas is celebrated in different ways. In theSanta's Name - Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas), who wears
northeastern area, it is common to find Nativity Scenes;a red bishop's hat and bishop's cloak and has white
in the southern part, snow is simulated with little pieceshair and a white beard. He arrives on a white horse
of cotton on pine trees.with his servant, Black Pete, to put small gifts in
Customs - Brazilians sing a number of Christmaschildren's wooden shoes.
carols.Food - The Dutch people eat lots of marzipan, spiced
Greeceginger biscuits, tall chocolate letters, and 'bankletter' -
Greeting - Eftihismena Christougennainitials made of pastry and filled with almond paste.
Food - Special holiday cakes are baked.When they are around the Christmas tree singing
Gifts - Most Greek people exchange gifts on Saintsongs, they eat 'Kerstkrans' - a Christmas ring.
Basil's Day, January 1.Gifts - On December 6, after hearing a knock at their
Customs - To honor Saint Basil, the holiday cakesdoor, children find a bag full of toys, nuts, and gifts.
have gold coins hidden inside them. The cakes are cutDecorations - The Christmas tree is known as the
at midnight on New Year's Eve. Whoever has a goldParadise Tree. Decorations of the season include dolls,
coin in his piece of cake will have good luck themusical instruments, fruit, candies, and lights.
following year.Customs - The Dutch sing carols, the most popular
Hungaryone being "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree."
Santa's Name - Actually, the Baby Jesus is said toSweden
bring presents on Christmas Eve. A bell soundsGreeting - God Jul
signaling that the Angels have brought the tree andFood - Coffee, cakes, and special buns are served on
gifts.Santa Lucia Day, December 13.
Customs - On December 5, children leave out theirCustoms - Santa Lucia Day honors Saint Lucy, who
shoes. During the night, Mikulas and Black Peter comehelped blind people. The oldest daughter in each
to fill them with goodies for well-behaved children andSwedish household dresses in a white gown with a
switches for naughty children.red sash, wears a crown of evergreenwith seven
Indiacandles in it, awakens the family with a song, and
Decorations - Sometimes, houses are decorated withserves the coffee, cakes, and buns. Each town and
mango leaves; mango or banana trees are alsocity also chooses a young woman to be Lucia for the
decorated. Small, clay, oil-burning lamps are placed onday. She then serves coffee and food to the
the edges of flat roofs as decorations.townspeople at schools, hospitals, and other public
Israelbuildings. From these women, a national Lucia is
Greeting - Chag Semeach (Happy Chanukah)chosen; followed by a parade, feast, and dance.
Santa's Name - Actually, parents, grandparents, andNow that you have this data, let your children put the
other family members give presents to the children.information in a comparison chart. Label the left side
Food - Because oil is an important part of the holiday,with the names of the countries and the bottom with
many foods are prepared with it. A favorite is potatothe various information (ie: Greeting, Food, and so on).
latkes (pancakes).Then fill in the boxes!
Gifts - Since Chanukah lasts for eight days, childrenLet your children do research to find out the
may receive one present each night.information I left out.
Decorations - Jewish stars, blue or silver foilConduct research to find out the same customs for
garlands,dreidels (spinning tops), Chanukah geltother countries, especially the heritage countries of
(chocolate coins), and pictures of the Macabeesstudents in your class or your own family.
(Jewish army that recaptured the Holy Temple andHowever you celebrate the holidays, have a safe,
Jerusalem from the Assyrian Greek King Antiochus)wonderful season and a Happy New Year!
are found around the house.I hope these ideas are useful and inspire your own
Customs - The menorah (candelabra) is lit each night.creative thinking.
On the first night, one candle is lit; on, the second night,And remember...Reading is FUNdamental!