2.  In the Canadian provinces where English is the
predominant language, Christmas traditions are
largely similar to those of the United States, with
some lingering influences from the United Kingdom
and newer traditions brought by immigrants from
other European countries. Mince pies, plum pudding
and Christmas cake are traditionally served in
English Canada as Christmas dinner desserts,
following the traditional meal of roast turkey,
stuffing, potatoes and winter vegetables.
Christmas table crackers are not uncommon in
English-speaking Canada. In some parts of
Newfoundland and Nova Scotia Christmas
traditions include mummers

3.  North American influences on Christmas are
evident in the hanging of stockings on Christmas
Eve, to be filled by Santa Claus. However, Canadian
children believe that the home of Santa Claus is
located at the North Pole, in Canada, and through
Canada Post address thousands of letters to Santa
Claus each year, using the postal code designation
"HOH OHO", a play on Canada's six digit postal
code that includes letters and numbers. Decorated
Christmas trees, either fresh cut or artificial,
introduced to Canada in 1781 originally by German
soldiers stationed in Quebec during the American
Revolution, are now common in private homes and
commercial spaces throughout most of Canada.

4.  As Canada is a cold, dark country in winter, lights
are often put up in public places, and on
commercial and residential buildings in November
and December. Many communities have
celebrations that include light events, such as the
Cavalcade of Lights Festival in Toronto, the
Montreal Christmas Fireworks or the Bright
Nights in Stanley Park, Vancouver. A national
program, Christmas Lights Across Canada,
illuminates Ottawa, the national capital, and the 13
provincial and territorial capitals.

6.  Christmas Day on December 25 is a national
holiday in Brazil. In the small cities in the entire
country, as well as in the largest cities, like São
Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Salvador, Fortaleza,
Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Brasília, Manaus, Belém,
Natal and Belo Horizonte, the celebrations
resemble in many ways the traditions in Europe and
North America, with the Christmas tree, the
exchanging of gifts and Christmas cards, the
decoration of houses and buildings with electric
lights and the nativity scene. Despite the warm
tropical summer weather, some incongruence such
as decorations with themes of winter and snow are
not uncommon.

7.  In some cities like Curitiba, there are decoration
contests, when judges go to houses to look at the
decorations, inside or outside of the house, and
decide the most beautiful house. Christmas Eve is
the most important day. Unlike in the North
American and Anglo-Saxon tradition, Christmas
takes action mainly near midnight, usually with big
family dinners, opening of gifts and the
celebration of the "Missa do Galo" (the rooster's
mass) in churches throughout the nation.

9.  In Venezuela, Christmas is celebrated as a religious
occasion. As in Colombia, the presents are brought by “El
Niño Jesus” (Baby Jesus) instead of “Papá Noél” (Santa
Claus), that still has an important role during this season.
 The unofficial start of the Christmas festivities is after
the celebrations of "Feria de la Chinita", second half of
November. The origin of this festival is the cult to Virgin
Mary of Chiquinquirá, when various religious activities,
processions, and music in the typical "Gaita style" to
honor "La Chinita" (nickname of this Virgin). This event
takes place in the Zulia Region, specifically in Maracaibo
(the regional capital). After this, other cities join in the
festivities and many activities take place including musical
events and firework displays.

10.  In many cities, small rural towns and neighborhoods get
together for the "patinatas" night festivals where children go
and play with skateboards, roller blades and bicycles. This
events are usually sponsored by the local church, where
neighbors organize themselves and sell typical Christmas food,
hot chocolate, hallaca, cookies, etc. Also still in some
neighborhoods there is the "Parranda" where people go from
one house to house with music and Christmas songs. The singers
stops at neighbors' houses to get some food and drinks. Also in
the Venezuelan Andes there is the same tradition of this kind
of event but they carry an image of "baby Jesus" and this is
called "Paradura del Niño." Children write request letters to
Baby Jesus. The presents are sent by Baby Jesus at midnight,
and most people have a party, which goes on until sunrise.

12.  Christmas (or Il-Milied, as it's known in Maltese) in Malta is
mainly a religious affair since most of the population is
Christian. Midnight Masses are very popular and traditional
Christmas processions with a statue of the baby Jesus take
place in the towns and villages of the islands on Christmas
Eve, led by children attending the M.U.S.E.U.M. (Society of
Christian Doctrine). However over the years, the island has
adopted other popular Christmas customs and traditions
such as the Christmas tree and Father Christmas.
 A public holiday in Malta, Christmas Day is celebrated on
December 25 and is a time to spend with family. Christmas
lunch usually consists of turkey served with potatoes and
vegetables (reflecting the fact it's a former British colony).
Presents are normally exchanged either on Christmas Eve or
on Christmas Day.

13.  A local Christmas specialty is the "Qaghaq ta' l-Ghasel"
or Honey Rings. These Maltese Christmas sweets are
eaten as a dessert during the Christmas season but can
also be purchased all year round. Christmas cribs
(Nativity scenes) are a popular Christmas tradition and
can be seen in most homes, alongside the Christmas
tree and the child Jesus in a manger.
 Another Christmas tradition is the planting of ġulbiena
common vetch seeds in flat-bottomed pots. These
seeds are planted around the beginning of December,
normally placed on white cotton and watered every day
whilst being kept in the dark all the time. They are
usually taken out just before Christmas, and resemble
long white spaghetti-like strands of leaves (since they
would have grown in the dark).