How Christmas is Celebrated Around the World

To add to the holiday spirit, each culture that celebrates Christmas has its own unique traditions. Some of them are limited-time-only meals or sweets. Some people decorate their homes in a special way, others send meaningful gifts, while still others celebrate the season by holding festivals, parades, or parties. For me and my brother as kids, the holidays just weren’t the same if we didn’t put the Christmas pickle on the tree, listen to Dad read “A Visit from St. Nicholas” before bed on Christmas Eve, or eat the Feast of the Seven Fishes. The arrival of the Krampus, a bucket of KFC, or a Christmas cracker all have a common sentiment in various nations.

Though many of us will experience the holiday in new ways this year, that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to observe many of the same cherished customs. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to bring some of the world’s most well-loved Christmas customs into your own house. It’s possible that you’ll discover a new family tradition that everyone in your family will love.

KFC as the traditional Christmas dinner in Japan

The practice of celebrating Christmas as a national holiday in Japan is only a few decades old. As a secular celebration of love and goodwill rather than a religious observance, it has gained popularity only in the last few decades. Instead of preparing a huge meal at home, many people opt for KFC or a restaurant reservation on Christmas Day.

Polish People Breaking Bread Together Before Dinner

The Oplatek is traditionally served first during the Christmas Eve feast (Wigilia) in Poland and other countries with large Polish Diasporas. The square, paper-thin wafer depicts the Nativity and is prepared from flour and water. A piece is broken off and passed around the table, with each person saying a few words of thanks. Even pets can join in on the merriment on occasion.

St. Lucia’s Day in Sweden

St. Lucia’s Day is celebrated as part of the Christmas season in Sweden, Finland, and Norway to honor a woman who is traditionally regarded as one of the earliest Christian martyrs. The eldest daughter in each family dresses up like St. Lucia and leads a lighted parade while carrying a wreath of candles. Coffee or mulled wine will be served alongside Lucia buns in the shape of a S by the girls.

Greek Yuletide Decorations Include Christmas Trees and Ships

Greece has a long tradition of decorating Christmas trees and boats for the holiday. Traditionally, Greek families would raise a great decked boat to welcome home their soldiers from sea expeditions, but in 1833, King Otto erected the country’s first Christmas tree. Athens and Thessaloniki, among others, now feature big illuminated boats parked next to trees.

Christmas Ceremonies in Ethiopia

According to the Ethiopian Orthodox Calendar, on January 7, the Ethiopian people celebrate Christmas, known as Ganna or Genna. During the candelit procession, worshippers walk three times around the church in a special white shawl called a Netela before the actual Mass begins. Ganna is a time for worship, games, and, of course, food, but not for exchanging presents.