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12 Christmas Traditions Around the World

Christmas traditions

around the world: The

countries celebrating in

January and waiting for

gnomes rather than Santa

How Christmas is celebrated varies
around the world, from UK traditions
dating back to Victorian times to
popular German markets today

As we hit the shops for Christmas gift buying
and prepare for a hearty roast and maybe a visit
to church on the big day, it is worth
remembering not everyone celebrates Christmas
like us. Christmas Day as presents can start arriving on boomers'. It is also tradition to play backyard
In fact, not everyone even celebrates December 6. That's because this is St Nicholas cricket on Boxing Day as the test match from the
Christmas on December 25, and for them Day, or Sw. Mikolaj Day and St Nicholas is Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Sydney to
Christmas is even further away. known as the original Father Christmas.Unlike Hobart Yacht Race begins.
Across the world, some countries Santa in the UK, this character dresses in the
celebrate Christmas on January 7 and use a white and gold of a Bishop, rather than red and Russia: Similar to other eastern European
whole host of traditions that are different from white. Families traditionally enjoy 12 dishes - countries, families eat 12 dishes to represent the
the Santa and his sleigh and mistletoe we are including the country's famous pierogi 12 apostles on Christmas Eve, including
familiar with. dumplings - on Christmas Eve. The feast is beetroot soup, fish and stuffed cabbages. They
These countries mark Christmas preceded by Opłatek, a type of Christmas wafer. then attend Church and enjoy a Christmas meal
differently because they use the Julian calendar on January 7, abiding by the Julian calendar.
rather than the Gregorian one. Norway: If you are living in Norway, the
We take a look at the different days
tradition is to exchange presents are exchanged Nigeria: Christmas in Nigeria is a family
Christmas is celebrated across the world, as well
on Christmas Eve. They are sometimes event. Many families will throw Christmas
as how traditions vary.
delivered by Santa Claus, although he goes by parties that will last all night long on Christmas
the name Julenissen. But gifts also come in a Eve, then on Christmas Morning, they go to
The Netherlands: Here, the most important more unique form - being brought by small church to give thanks to God. Homes and streets
day of the festive season is December 5, when gnomes called Nisse. And in contrast to the are often decorated and most homes have
Sinterklaas, or St Nicholas, arrives by steamboat mince pies and whisky British children put out artificial Christmas trees. Nigerians do eat
from his home in Spain. Until the 19th Century, for Santa and Rudolf, many families in Norway turkey at Christmas. However, in addition, a
Sinterklaas operated alone, bringing well- will leave out rice porridge for the Nisse who are traditional Christmas meal may include beef,
behaved children presents and apparently believed to watch over farm animals. They will goat, sheep, ram or chicken.
spiriting bad youngsters away in his sack for re- also leave a sheaf of wheat out for birds to eat
education and a beating. However, in 1850, over Christmas. Vietnam: In Vietnam Christmas Eve is often
children's author Jan Schenkman drew him with
more important than Christmas Day. The
a black servant, who later became known as Argentina: Argentinians decorate their homes country used to belong to France and there are
Zwarte Piet or Black Pete. It became Zwarte with lights and wreaths and hang red and white still French influences in its Christmas
Piet's job to go down the chimney to deliver
garlands of flowers on their doors. Christmas traditions. For example, like in France, the
presents and catch the less fortunate children.
trees are also popular and they are often special Christmas Eve meal is called 'reveillon'
decorated by December 8 - the feast of the and has a 'bûche de Noël' (a chocolate cake in
Iceland: The land of ice and snow has no Annunciation, when Christians remember when the shape of a log) for desert. Vietnamese people
fewer than 13 Santa Clauses. Thirteen days Mary was told she would have the baby Jesus. like to give presents of food and at Christmas a
before Christmas, the first Santa descends from The Nativity scene, or pesebre, is also an bûche de Noël is a popular gift. Santa is called
the mountains and visits each house to put treats important Christmas decoration in Argentina. Ông già Noel - which translates as Christmas old
in children's shoes while they sleep. Well- Here, the main Christmas meal is eaten during man.
behaved children get presents such as mandarins the evening of Christmas Eve. Popular dishes
and sweets, while bad kids typically receive include roasted turkey, roasted pork, stuffed Sri Lanka: Although Sri Lanka is mostly
something less attractive, such as a potato. The tomatoes and Christmas bread and puddings like Buddhist (just 7 per cent of people are
next day the second Father Christmas comes to 'Pan Dulce' and Panetone. People often set off Christians) Christmas is still a public holiday.
town and so on. Then on December 25, the first fireworks at midnight and 'toast' the start of For Christians in Sri Lanka, the Christmas
one goes back, the next day the second one goes Christmas Day. season starts on December 1 when people let off
back. January 6 is called "the thirteenth" and is
fire crackers at dawn. The streets are decorated
the last day of Christmas because that day the Australia: Christmas comes in the middle of and shopping centres have large Christmas trees
last Santa goes home.
the summer holidays here, so often it's more in them. In Sri Lanka, Santa is known as
about the BBQ than roast turkey with gravy. Naththal Seeya.[]
Germany: Here, Christmas Eve is the most Australians hang wreaths on their front doors
important day of the festive season. Families and sometimes go carol singing on Christmas For The VERY BEST of Radio
traditionally mark the occasion with a feast and Eve. People also decorate their houses and
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