CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD THE MOST CURIOUS CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS IN THE WORLD With the arrival of Christmas comes that time of the year to decorate the house with lights, put up the Christmas tree and sing Christmas carols. And what do they do in other countries? In this article, you can discover the traditions of other parts of the world. Christmas the typical tradition for the Spanish may seem strange to others, but the ones I bring you today will also surprise you. Here you will discover the most curious Christmas customs and traditions in the world, it is very interesting to know the celebrations depending on the country. Surely more than one of the ones that I am going to tell you about, let's go there! Christmas traditions around the world Although it is hard for us to believe, many Spanish Christmas traditions are not celebrated equally in the rest of the planet. There are even countries that don't even celebrate Christmas and others that take the opportunity to eat up to 12 different dishes on Christmas Eve (although we almost do it too). Do you want to know more about these curiosities? Keep reading and I'll tell you. 1. The “Santa Claus” of the Netherlands and Belgium – Sinterklaas Did you know that Santa Claus does not come to the Netherlands? On December 5, Sinterklass rides with his assistant Zwarte Piet through the country, distributing gifts and sweets. According to what they say, 3 weeks before Sinterklaas leaves Spain and arrives at the Dutch port. Lately, the last Saturday of November arrives where that afternoon the children leave a letter at the door of the house with what they want and the next day they find sweets and chocolates. And on December 5, if they have been good, they will be able to open their gifts and celebrate that day with their family. Moral of the story: the Dutch love to eat chocolate. On the other hand, Christmas day is very important for Catholics, many families go to church and the same thing happens in Belgium. 2 . Christmas Day in Ukraine and Russia When is Christmas exactly? It is always on December 24, right? In principle, yes, but not in all countries. For some Orthodox Christians, it is January 6, which happens in Ukraine, Christmas Day is a traditional holiday with 12 different wishes, one for each of Jesus' apostles. In Ukraine they receive gifts on New Year's Day, in Russia Christmas is on January 7th. Oh, and Christmas trees in Ukraine might look more like Halloween, as they are covered in spider webs and fake spiders. Neither Santa Claus nor Saint Nicholas comes here as in many Eastern countries, in Russia Ded Moroz and Snegurochka come. During Christmas, they eat a lot, sing and of course, the Christmas tree cannot be missing, the only different thing is the different dates since their calendar is based on the Julian calendar and not the Gregorian one. 3. Christmas markets in Germany 3. Christmas markets in Germany Christmas is one of the most beautiful times of the year to

1. CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD
THE MOST CURIOUS CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS IN
THE WORLD
With the arrival of Christmas comes that time of the year to decorate the
house with lights, put up the Christmas tree and sing Christmas carols.
And what do they do in other countries? In this article, you can discover
the traditions of other parts of the world.
Christmas the typical tradition for the Spanish may seem strange to others, but the
ones I bring you today will also surprise you. Here you will discover the most curious
Christmas customs and traditions in the world, it is very interesting to know the
celebrations depending on the country. Surely more than one of the ones that I am
going to tell you about, let's go there!

2. Christmas traditions around the world
Although it is hard for us to believe, many Spanish Christmas traditions are not
celebrated equally in the rest of the planet. There are even countries that don't even
celebrate Christmas and others that take the opportunity to eat up to 12 different dishes
on Christmas Eve (although we almost do it too). Do you want to know more about
these curiosities? Keep reading and I'll tell you.
1. The “Santa Claus” of the Netherlands and Belgium –
Sinterklaas
Did you know that Santa Claus does not come to the Netherlands? On December 5,
Sinterklass rides with his assistant Zwarte Piet through the country, distributing gifts
and sweets. According to what they say, 3 weeks before Sinterklaas leaves Spain and
arrives at the Dutch port. Lately, the last Saturday of November arrives where that
afternoon the children leave a letter at the door of the house with what they want and
the next day they find sweets and chocolates. And on December 5, if they have been
good, they will be able to open their gifts and celebrate that day with their family. Moral
of the story: the Dutch love to eat chocolate.
On the other hand, Christmas day is very important for Catholics, many families go to
church and the same thing happens in Belgium.

3. 2 . Christmas Day in Ukraine and Russia
When is Christmas exactly? It is always on December 24, right? In principle, yes, but
not in all countries. For some Orthodox Christians, it is January 6, which happens in
Ukraine, Christmas Day is a traditional holiday with 12 different wishes, one for each of
Jesus' apostles. In Ukraine they receive gifts on New Year's Day, in Russia Christmas is
on January 7th. Oh, and Christmas trees in Ukraine might look more like Halloween, as
they are covered in spider webs and fake spiders.
Neither Santa Claus nor Saint Nicholas comes here as in many Eastern countries, in
Russia Ded Moroz and Snegurochka come. During Christmas, they eat a lot, sing and
of course, the Christmas tree cannot be missing, the only different thing is the different
dates since their calendar is based on the Julian calendar and not the Gregorian one.

4. 3. Christmas markets in Germany
3. Christmas markets in Germany
Christmas is one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit Germany, its incredible
Christmas markets in each of the towns and cities where you can drink Glühwein
(mulled wine) or taste currywurst or frankfurt. It does not matter if it snows, rains or is
cold, the Christmas markets are full of people, in the largest cities there is more than
one Christmas market and they are spread throughout the city, the best known are
those of Berlin, Frankfurt or Dresden Although you can also enjoy these markets in
other non-German cities such as Prague, Budapest, Vienna or Krakow.

5. 4. Christmas in the United States and the United Kingdom
In America, everything is done in a big way, with a lot of colors and that applies to
Christmas celebrations. They decorate their houses with extravagant decorations and
ornaments, that's how our Americans are, and of course, the Christmas tree is big too.
Every year they decorate the tree together with friends, it is called "the tree party", and
on the 24th a large turkey is served on the tables, how good it looks!
On December 25, they wake up and find the gifts next to the tree that Santa Claus left
coming down the chimney, eat cookies, and enjoy a day with the family. In Chicago you
can enjoy a few days before Christmas a gigantic Christmas market that has been held
every year since 1996, here you can eat something or drink a hot drink.
The Christmas tree began in England after Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, put
up a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle in 1840, bringing this tradition from Germany. In
England, it is very typical to send a Christmas card wishing your loved ones a happy

6. holiday, millions of cards are sent every year. Another tradition in England, Scotland,
and Ireland is to kiss under the mistletoe, and that tradition carried over to the United
States as well. At Christmas the mistletoe is hung on the ceiling or in the frame of a
door, every time two people pass under the mistletoe, according to traditions they have
to kiss each other, this gesture will give you luck, health, and courage.
In Ireland they leave behind the traditions of leaving Santa Claus cookies, they make a
pudding with Guinness or Irish whiskey. Santa Claus is careful, don't trip when going up
the chimney!
5. Markets and nativity scenes in France and Portugal
Other events that make us welcome Christmas are undoubtedly the Christmas markets,
which are not only a German phenomenon. In France, you can enjoy a glass of mulled
wine on the Champs Elysées in Paris, even in the South of France you will find small
Christmas markets, but the most famous of all are those in Alsace. In France, only
December 25 is a holiday, during the Christmas meal (Réveillon de Noël), 7 dishes and
13 desserts are traditionally served, it is typical to eat turkey, foie gras, pâtés and you

7. cannot miss a great assortment of cheeses. and for dessert? the Bûche de Noël, a
delight for the palate!
Since we are between France and Portugal, I take this opportunity to remember that the
Christmas draw is held on December 22, every year more Spaniards play the lottery,
they want a little money this year… Did you know? It is the largest lottery in the world,
great prizes are distributed, the largest of 4 Million Euros, good luck to everyone! In
addition, you can also visit the Christmas markets, the most famous of all are the
Madrid Christmas Market and the Santa Llúcia Market in Barcelona.
In Portugal incredible and grandiose managers are known, in 2013 the largest manager
in the world was made. Every year competitions are held to choose the best bed for
baby Jesus since it is the greatest symbol of Portuguese Catholicism. And as in all
countries, on Christmas day a great meal with delicious fresh heavy food is held and
presents are opened. In addition, one of the Portuguese traditions is to bake and eat the
"Bolo Rei", like us, they eat the Roscón de Reyes. Will the king touch you this year?
6. The city of Santa Claus in Finland

8. Here is one of the most beautiful markets in Scandinavia, the Esplanade market in
Helsinki, it brings elegance and a Christmas atmosphere to the capital that falls in love.
But if you want to enjoy a unique and unrepeatable Christmas, visit the Santa Claus
Village in Rovaniemi (Lapland), there you can meet Santa Claus and his helpers, a
fairytale place!
In Norway, they are dedicated to hiding brooms, because according to legends,
centuries ago witches and evil spirits appeared on Christmas Eve to look for brooms to
fly with. This looks like The Nightmare Before Christmas, many people today still hide
brooms and other similar utensils in the safest place in the house, a way to scare away
evil spirits, and in the middle of the night, they shoot into the air with their pistols and
shotguns. A bit of a weird tradition!
7. Christmas custom in Serbia
Serbian children are the most mischievous, you may be wondering what these little
guys are up to for Christmas, two Sundays before the 25th, they kidnap their mother
and tie her to a chair, they will not release her until the gifts appear. On the Sunday
before Christmas, she will play her father, and the same thing will happen, without gifts
no one is free. It's hard to believe but it's 100% real!

9. 8. Christmas in Australia and New Zealand
Can you imagine celebrating Christmas on the beach? If that's what you want, Australia
is the ideal place for your next Christmas, here you can enjoy 35ºC, go in flip-flops,
shorts, and a short-sleeved shirt in the middle of December, what a blast! Here you will
not be able to see the Christmas markets like those in Germany, but the Christmas
decorations with lights and Christmas trees are present. Australians love to decorate,
and that is why their gardens are decorated in the American style.
Every year in Sydney you can see a Christmas tree 26 meters high with more than
21,000 bulbs, 4,000 Christmas balls, and 1,599 garlands. Here the expression of "white
Christmas" is different, the snow is not present but you can enjoy Christmas on a
paradisiacal white sand beach.
On December 24, many families eat the traditional roast turkey accompanied by plum
pudding, at night the children leave carrots and a glass of milk for Santa Claus and his
reindeer. The next day, the little ones run out of their beds and go to the Christmas tree
to open their presents. All the stores are open that day and have special offers.
Last-minute gifts?
In New Zealand they also enjoy Christmas on the beach, their customs are similar to
those of Australia, but they prefer to celebrate Christmas on the beach or in their garden
by having a barbecue.

10. 9. Christmas in Mexico and Brazil
A Christmas tradition in Mexico is to recreate the pilgrimage of María and José, here the
Christmas season begins on December 16 with the posadas. It is a 9-day party where
the part in which the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph looking for a place to stay is
celebrated, and those 9 days represent the 9 months of pregnancy. Fireworks and
music bands are typical of the posadas, but the highlight of this celebration is the
colorful figures made of paper-mâché, known as piñatas. The piñatas contain sweets,
fruits, or small gifts, the children have to hit them until they break and the gifts fall out,
the last day of posadas is December 24, the big party, the event where the whole family
gathers.

11. Christmas in Brazil is looking more and more like American celebrations, Christmas
trees, decorations, artificial snow, and... Don't miss a good meal!
10. Christmas in Asia
When we think of Christmas, we always forget about some parts of Asia, in India, for
example, the majority of the population is Hindu, here Christmas is known as "bada din"
and it is on the same dates as in Spain. In Japan, it is not officially considered a holiday
but they also receive gifts from Santa Claus and in New Year couples give each other
something special or enjoy a plan as a couple. In this country, leaving behind gifts and
Christmas lights, little else is celebrated, instead, they have a strange tradition and that
is that they eat KFC for dinner, yes, as you read, a little bit of fried chicken and that's
enough to have a good feast.
11. Christmas Island in Australia
Contrary to what its name indicates, there are no inhabitants on this island, Christmas
Island is a remote place that belongs to Australia but… Christmas is not celebrated. Its
name comes from the day of its discovery on December 25, 1643.

12. 12. Christmas dinner in Poland
Seafood, meat, polvorones, and don't miss the nougats, that can't be missing from the
typical Christmas meals in our country. Do you want to know what our European
neighbors eat? The French and Ukrainians prefer small plates with little quantity, the
British and Americans love turkey, and in Oceania they prefer barbecue. In other places
like Sweden, your table is a large buffet with a variety of food in which fish and a large
assortment of cakes cannot be missing.
In Poland it is better than traveling on an empty stomach because you will not stop
eating, 12 dishes for each of its 12 apostles, fish, pierogi, and soup stand out. Traveling
to South Korea, you will be able to taste their Christmas cake with a few calories! On
the 25th family and friends gather to taste this sweet cake covered in cream.

13. Now you know a little more about Christmas traditions around the world, would you like
to enjoy Christmas in another country? Leave in the comments the country where you
would like to spend the next Christmas.