Passport to Christmas
Mexico
In Mexico, Christmas is a colorful celebration. They celebrate with their seven pointed star piñatas. The points represent the seven deadly sins, and breaking them symbolizes good triumphing over evil. Throughout the season fireworks displays are also very popular. Mexico is also the home of the poinsettia. It is known as noche buena, and can be seen making up large displays. In Oaxaca, Mexico, December 23 is known as the Night of the Radishes. People make intricate carvings out of radishes depicting religious scenes, animals, musicians, and lots more.
Brazil
Brazil is a country known for its celebrations. Rio De Janeiro holds the world record for the largest floating Christmas tree in the world. It was originally 157 feet tall, however it has changed in size throughout the years. Once reaching the height of 279 feet. It has been free to float about Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas displaying its intricate light shows consisting of up to 3 million lights.
Australia
Christmastime is summertime for our friends down under. That means it's time to head to the beach to hang out and picnic with friends and family. One might catch a glimpse of Santa Claus surfing, or of six white kangaroos pulling his sleigh.
New Zealand
If Santa is coming to deliver your presents in New Zealand, do not expect to see any reindeer. Pulling Santa’s sleigh is the job of Sticky Beak the Christmas Kiwi. New Zealand also has its own Christmas tree called a Pōhutukawa (po-hu-ta-ka-wa), a beautiful tree that blooms large red flowers at Christmastime. It is also an important symbol to the Māori people. Auckland was once home to a giant 60’ Santa display on the corner of Hobson Street and Wyndham Street. Because of his winking eye and strange expression, he became known as the “creepy” Santa, beloved by some and hated by others. He no longer resides in Auckland, but is being restored by a toy museum.
Philippines
Christmastime in the Philippines is a celebration of lights. They are known for their elaborate lanterns, called parol. These star shaped lanterns are usually very colorful and in the shape of a star. Every year The Parol Lantern Festival is held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
Korea
In Korea, Christmas is more of a couples holiday, similar to our Valentine's Day. Couples like to go on special dates, like going out to a fancy restaurant or ice skating to create romantic moments. Gifts are mostly exchanged between romantic partners.
Lebanon
Christmas in Lebanon is a time for feasting and dancing. Families get together for a large lunch called Eid Milad Majid, meaning “Glorious Birth Feast.” Afterwards, some will join in dancing the Dabke. Nativity scenes are very popular. However, unlike the creches most of us have seen depicting stable and manger, these nativity scenes are situated in a cave. Many people celebrate St. Barbara’s day on December 4th. On this day they plant wheat, lentils, or other grains whose sprouts represent new life. These sprouts are then added to their nativity scenes at Christmas.
Ethiopia
Genna or Ganna is the Ethiopian word for Christmas, which is celebrated on January 7th. It is also the word for an ancient game, similar to what we know as field hockey, that is played on Christmas. It is said that shepherds who greeted the three wise men upon their return were so excited about the news of the birth of Christ that they started playing with their crooks in celebration.
Greece
The Christmas boat may be more common than the Christmas tree in Greece. Known as “karavaki,” these boats symbolize celebration and the nation's connection to the sea. These beautiful boats adorned with lights can be found in homes and also in large public displays. While in Greece at Christmastime, one would hope to not run into the kallikantzaroi. These goblin-like creatures are known to emerge from the earth to cause problems for people during the 12 days of Christmas.
Italy
In Italy, children receive their gifts from La Befana. This old witch woman got lost while trying to follow the three wise men to meet the Christ Child and now brings candy and presents to good children.
France
In France, writing letters to Pére Noel, or Father Christmas is very popular. Any letter sent to Pére Noel is required by law to get a response in the form of a postcard. Father Christmas has a team of up to 60 helpers at La Poste, the French postal service, to make sure everyone gets a reply. In a country known for its sweet treats, it's no surprise that the bûche de Noël is one of the most popular traditions. This sponge cake rolled up and decorated to look like a yule log is always a family favorite.
Spain
The Spanish Christmas Lottery is a special draw that happens on December 22 every year. It is extremely popular. The grand prize is commonly referred to as El Gordo and is the most anticipated drawing of the entire year. Children in the Catalan region get to celebrate Christmas with Caga Tió. This log with a face, hat, legs and a blanket is taken care of and given treats. On Christmas day they sing his song, and hit him with sticks before taking off his blanket revealing the presents and goodies that the log “pooped” out.
Germany
Germany is known for its gorgeous Christmas markets. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest and best. Christkind, the bringer of gifts to the children on Christmas Eve, opens the market in a beautiful opening ceremony. People can shop for handmade gifts and sweet treats from the little market stalls. Two other visitors that may stop your way at Christmastime are Saint Nicolas and the Krampus. Saint Nicolas brings treats to good boys and girls while accompanied by the Krampus who has his switch and his basket to beat or take away bad girls and boys. There are large parades where people dress as Krampus and walk through towns at night on Krampusnacht.
Poland
Poland is a land of many gift givers. Depending on what region you live in, you may get your gifts from Gwiador, Dzieciatko, or Aniol. Gwiador, meaning “the star man,” who is an old man with a straw hat who asks about good and bad deeds and carries small gifts for the children. He often travels with Gwiazdka, meaning “little star.” She is a mysterious veiled woman in white with flowers. Gwiador and Aniol are the Christ child and an angel who also leave presents under the tree for good children. Christmas eve dinner, called Wigilia, begins once the first star is seen that night and includes 12 dishes and desserts including mushroom soup, fish, gingerbread and pierogi.
Ukraine
The star is a traditional symbol of Christmas in Ukraine. These octagonal stars are often carried by Carolers as they travel from home to home. These stars can also be found at the top of their Christmas trees. The Ukrainian people also decorate their homes with a sheaf of rye, called didukh. The didukh represents prosperity and harvest.
Russia
In Russia, Santa is known as Ded Moroz, or Grandfather frost and his granddaughter, Snegurochka, is the snow maiden. These two bring gifts to the children on New Year's Eve. Fortune telling is a common tradition at Christmas time. Everyone wants to know what may happen in the new year ahead. They may do this by reading tea leaves or coffee grounds or by placing symbolic items in cups to be chosen randomly by the person wishing to have their fortune told.
Sweden
St. Lucia Day is the beginning of Swedish Christmas as it is the bringing of the light of christ. A girl is chosen to wear a crown of candles and lead a procession of her handmaidens and star boys as they sing songs. The yule goat also appears at this time to make sure that preparations are ready for Christmas before he helps Santa bring gifts to the children.
Norway
In Bergen, Norway, the world's largest gingerbread town can be found, Pepperkakebyen. It began in 1991. It is made up of gingerbread houses, buildings, vehicles, and landmarks, all made and put together by school children, businesses, and volunteers. Julenisse is the Santa of Norway. He is a gnome version of Santa. It is traditional to leave him a bowl of porridge on Christmas Eve.
Finland
Finland is the official home of Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland. You can visit year round to say hello to Santa and his elves. At Christmas time, the Finnish people like to take it easy and relax while reading their books that Santa, also known as Joulupukki, brought them. They also love to take part in the Christmas sauna which is family time. They even take treats for Saunatonttu, the sauna elf.
Iceland
Iceland hosts a colorful cast of Christmas characters. The yule cat, a large forest cat, is said to walk around in the snow looking for anyone who doesn't have new clothes by christmas eve. If one does not have their new clothes, the yule cat will eat all of their food or the person themselves. Related to the yule cat, are the yule lads. These 13 pranksters come out during the 13 days before Christmas to cause trouble, but to also leave small gifts in the shoes of good children, and rotten potatoes in the shoes of bad children. The people of Iceland also like to celebrate Christmas eve by exchanging books and spending the rest of the night reading.
Thank you for exploring with us here at Christmas Around the World. Remember, wherever you are, and however you choose to celebrate, Christmas time is truly the most wonderful time of the year.