Christmas Around the World: A Virtual Tour

As the festive season approaches, many countries around the world are preparing for their unique Christmas traditions. Although the holiday is well-known for being celebrated in the western hemisphere, other parts of the world have their own unique ways of celebrating this special time.

Australia’s Summer Christmas

In Australia, Christmas falls during the height of summer vacation. Australian families enjoy a day of fun-filled activities such as spending time at the beach, picnics, and barbeques. Since it is summer, Christmas dinner typically consists of cold meat dishes or seafood. The traditional Christmas dessert in Australia is a fruity pavlova that’s topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit.

Japan’s Unique Twist on Christmas

In Japan, Christmas is not technically celebrated as a religious holiday, but it is still observed by many as a romantic day for couples. It started as a commercial event in Japan and has evolved into a symbol of love, with couples often exchanging gifts and dining at fancy restaurants. Japanese Christmas decorations are very different from western traditional decor. Christmas trees are not as widespread as wreaths, and instead of decorating with tinsel and ornaments, they use vividly colored lanterns and ornaments made of folded paper.

In the Philippines, the festive season often lasts for four months leading up to Christmas Day. Philippine communities are well-known for decorating their homes with dazzling lanterns (called parols) and nativity displays known as belen. A unique tradition that is all about family bonding is Christmas Eve night in the Philippines, where families gather around to attend ‘Simbang Gabi,’ a series of nine nightly masses. The last of these masses is on Christmas Eve and symbolizes the coming of Jesus Christ, known as Misa de Gallo.

Germany’s Obsession with Christmas Markets

In Germany, Christmas is a magical time that is celebrated with spectacular markets known as Christkindlmarkts. The markets consist of small wooden booths that feature beautiful decorations, traditional food, and distinctive handicrafts. Germans typically celebrate Advent, which is considered a season of anticipation leading up to Christmas, by lighting up an Advent wreath having four candles. Germany is also famous for the traditional Stollen, a fruity cake that’s considered a special treat during the festive season.

Mexico’s Nativity Scene Tradition

In Mexico, the Christmas period is celebrated from December 16 to January 6, with a wide range of festive activities that include music, parades, and beautiful decorations. At Posadas, families reenact the journey of Mary and Joseph as they search for an inn that was unable to take them in before the birth of Jesus. Las Posadas culminates with a big celebration and piñata bashing.

In conclusion, Christmas traditions might vary from country to country, but the purpose of the season is for all to come together and share joy and love. These diverse customs are an excellent reminder of the importance of cultural heritage and diversity, and they offer us a window into how different people celebrate and honor this special time of the year. Let us join the rest of the world and celebrate Christmas in whichever joyful manner we know best.