Christmas Around the World

This being the middle of the Yuletide season, I thought it would be interesting to take a trip around the world to see how other nations celebrate Christmas. Every culture that celebrates Christmas also has its own festive ways to make the holiday special. Some of those involve dishes or treats that only appear once a year. Others give gifts that carry a particular meaning, and still others decorate in a particular way, hold festivals, parades or parties to ring in the season. From Good Housekeeping’s Lizz Schumer come the following particulars.

Japan: KFC for Christmas Dinner

In Japan, celebrating Christmas is still relatively new. It’s only been widely recognized for the past couple of decades, and is typically seen as a time to spread joy and cheer, or even a romantic couple’s day, instead of a religious holiday. Many order KFC for Christmas dinner, or make a reservation at a restaurant instead of cooking a big feast.

Poland: People Share a Pre-Dinner Wafer

In Poland, and many Polish communities worldwide, Christmas Eve dinner or (Wigilia) begins with sharing the Oplatek. The paper-thin square wafer is made of flour and water has an image of the Nativity on it. Everyone at the table breaks off a piece and shares a holiday greeting before passing it along. Sometimes, even pets get in on the fun.

Slovakia: Carp for Dinner

All over Central Europe, people enjoy carp for Christmas Eve Dinner, according to NPR. But rather than picking it up from the supermarket, traditionalists let the fish live in the bathtub for a couple of days before preparing and eating it. Legend has it that the scales bring luck and good fortune for the coming year.

Greece: Christmas Trees and Boats

In the seafaring country of Greece, decorating Christmas trees and boats has been popular for centuries. The first known Christmas tree in Greece was put up by King Otto in 1833 next to a large decorated boat, which families traditionally erected to celebrate men’s return from sea voyages. Today, in cities like Athens and Thessaloniki, large lit-up boats appear alongside trees.

Ethiopia: Christmas Processions

In Ethiopia, people celebrate Christmas, called Ganna or Genna, on January 7 in accordance with the Ethiopian Orthodox Calendar. Mass often begins with a special candlelit procession, in which participants wear a thin white shawl called a Netela and process around the church three times before the service begins. They don’t typically give gifts during Ganna; it’s a time for church, games and of course, food.

Germany: Christmas Markets

In Germany, you can do your Christmas shopping with a mug of mulled wine in one hand and a bratwurst in the other at festive outdoor markets. The sprawling seasonal markets pop up all over the country with artisans selling gifts for everyone on your list.

Austria: Krampus Hunts for Naughty Children

You thought coal in your stocking was bad? In Austria and Bavaria, St. Nicholas gifts good kids’ gifts, while Krampus, the half-man, half-goat comes around the drag the bad ones away. In some places, men dress up as the scary character for a Krampuslauf, or “Krampus run” in which they parade through the streets to blow off steam — and scare some kids back into line.

England: Stockings Hung on Bedposts With Care

When I was a kid, I always worried Santa wouldn’t find our fireplace-less house. In Britain, they don’t have that problem because children hang their stockings at the ends of their beds instead. That way, they wake up to a sweet surprise.

Switzerland: Kids Get Advent Calendars

Although their popularity has spread in recent years, Advent Calendars are especially big in Switzerland. Some parents make them for their children, while others purchase unique ones tailored to their kids’ interests. They open a new little treat every day, with the biggest one arriving on Christmas Eve.

Australia: Christmas on the Beach

Because Christmas falls during the sweltering summer months in Australia, many residents hit the beach for a barbecue. People might play a rousing game of backyard cricket, according to one Insider writer, and grill up fresh seafood on the barbie. They still sing “White Christmas,” but won’t ever see one outside their front door.

Iceland: 13 Santa Clauses Place Treats in Shoes

Not only does Iceland celebrate 13 days before Christmas, children also get presents from 13 different Santa Clauses, or Yule Lads. Each of these lads has his own different qualities and they can all be a bit feisty. But if good children place their shoes on the windowsill, the Yule Lads will leave them little gifts. If they haven’t behaved all year, rotten potatoes show up in their Crocs.

Mexico: All-Night Parties With Piñatas

In Mexico, as well as many other Latinx and Hispanic countries, families celebrate Nochebuena on Christmas Eve. That includes a huge feast, singing and dancing — and often a piñata for the kids. More religious observers may attend midnight Mass, but it’s always a time for family and togetherness.

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