Christmas Customs Around the World

Whenever the first day of December hits, there’s an instant spark that gets lit within many of us.

The holiday season — no matter what religion, culture or country —  is such a unique time of the year, ripe for sweet (or bittersweet) memories.

But when a happy atmosphere prevails, having time to spend with family and friends, while re-creating annual traditions — the “where’s my special ornament” hunt, followed by the placing of the angel on top of the tree, for instance — can be like proverbial chicken soup for the soul.

Read on for info about some of the surprising back-stories to Yuletide customs we all now take for granted, and see if any new ones might make it on to your list.

The Heritage of Merry Traditions

Most North American traditions have been adopted from European, African and Asian folklore and rituals practiced for hundreds of years.  Examples:

• The Yule log was originated in the twelfth century, in rural France, when the men would go into the woods on Christmas, select a tree and bring home freshly cut wood for the fireplace. The tradition was to pour a glass of wine, along with oil and salt over the log.  Afterwards, a prayer would be spoken, and Christmas songs would be sung. Then the lighting of the log would commence. Some families would even traditional have their youngest girls light the log with splinters from Christmas past. The Yule log tradition spread to Italy and Germany, and eventually traveled overseas, once Europeans began to settle in North America.
• The British were the first to introduce other famous traditions, such as Christmas “crackers” – lightweight, cylindrically-shaped goodie containers made of paper and foil  — that decorate the dinner table.  Most Christmas dinners in England start with participants turning to the person next to them, each pulling on the ends of the cracker, with the winner finding a prize inside. Other English customs; stockings hung by the fire, opening gifts on Christmas morning, kissing under the mistletoe, and sending Christmas cards: the first Christmas card ever mailed was in England, in 1843.
• Wales, also part of the U.K., founded a more romantic tradition, including decorating the Christmas tree primarily in mistletoe. In ancient times, the Celts believed that mistletoe held the soul of the tree it was attached to: they would hang branches of the tree over things they wanted to protect, such as the front door of their homes, or a child’s crib.

Early Xmas?  It Happens All Over the World

• Some countries actually begin celebrating the holidays many weeks before we North Americans do. (And no, I don’t mean in terms of getting your gift shopping done early!)
• For example, in traditional Austria, the first holiday decoration appears four Sundays before Christmas, marking the beginning of the advent. Wreaths made of spruce, with four red candles, are hung from the ceiling and lit progressively on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
• Norway begins their festivities also many weeks before Christmas, with the brewing of the Christmas Beer, Juliøl, a dark, sweet beer, which compares very differently to the lighter Norwegian beers drunk throughout the year.
• The holiday season has always been a time for light, and in Colombia, on the evening of December 7^th, communities line streets, sidewalks and parks with thousands of votives to illuminate entire cities.
• In India, fireworks are used to celebrate, and in Ireland, candles are lit and placed in the windows and at the front door, which is left unlatched on Christmas Eve, so that those seeking shelter on the holy night of Christmas will not be turned away. The candles are a sign of welcome and are left to shine bright all night long.  The Christmas tree, however,  was never quite adopted in Ireland the way it has been around the world.
• Involving children in craft-making is a huge tradition in China, Japan and Mexico. In China and Japan, you’ll find thousands of paper lanterns in the streets and inside homes. The paper lantern is actually a religious symbol of the Chinese people symbolizing the coming of the New Year. You’ll also find paper crafts spread throughout the trees with words of luck, long life, prosperity and happiness. In Japan is it common to find paper cranes, symbolizing peace and long life. Tradition states that if you fold a thousand paper cranes, you will live to an old age.
• Bringing hope to new life is also a tradition spread among different countries: in Croatia, while celebrating St. Lucy’s Day on December 13^th, families plant wheat seeds in plates of shallow water. By Christmas Eve they grow to be able eight inches tall, and families will tie the plants together with red, blue and white ribbon called “trobojnica.” Some will even light candles and place them in the middle of the straw, as the light that glows represents the soul within every person.
• In Hungary, Christmas is actually celebrated on St. Nicolas’ Day, December 6^th. Children will line the windows with their boots in hopes that Hungarian Santa, Mekulas, will fill them with edible goodies.

The Big Day: Novel Noël Practices 

Taking a look at the spiritual, religious aspects of Christmas:

• In traditional Estonia and Finland, Christmas Eve actually begins with a body-cleansing, either in a hot bath or sauna. Afterwards fresh, new clothing is put on, and at sunset, the Finns make their way to graveyards where religious services are held and candles placed on each grave.
• In Lithuania, at sunset on Christmas Eve, a special meal called Kucios is served. Before everyone sits to eat, they must too be completely clean, in body and soul. This means they are all at peace with friends, enemies, and neighbors, and free of debts. Note: this seems to be a wonderful way to bring a “new you” into the New Year, completely free of all negativity, debt and anger! 
• A Danish Christmas includes dancing around the Christmas tree while singing carols before dinner, which commences with a rice pudding that has a large almond hidden in its center. The family member who finds it is awarded a prize (traditionally a little pig molded from marzipan). Adults often drink specially brewed Christmas beer or a mixture of red wine and spices, while feasting on roast duck or goose, and sweet and sour red cabbage.
• On December 28^th in Puerto Rico, Dia de Los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents) was celebrated, a holiday comparable to the North American April Fools’ Day. It is a carnival day where men dress as Herod’s soldiers and kidnap the first-born males and hold them for ransom. (Herod was the mass slayer of male children in Bethlehem, following the birth of Christ). The children are all safely returned at the end of the day, and a huge carnival is held.  Although it seems quite dramatic, the tradition is celebrated still to this day in the town of Hatillo.

Light-Hearted Lore for the Yule Season 

• Introduced in 1966 in Gävle, Sweden, a giant straw Yule goat was placed in the middle of the town square to mark the beginning of the holiday season. Over the years, mischievous teenagers continually set fire to the straw structure, creating a whole new tradition to the holiday monument. To this day, they literally set fire to the massive straw goat every year to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season.
• In some regions of Germany, the last ornament to be put on the tree is a glass pickle, hidden in the branches. On Christmas morning, the first child to find it receives an extra gift. The food ornaments don’t stop there though; glass carrot ornaments are sometimes given to new brides to bring them good luck in the kitchen and symbolize fertility.
• Anticipating that your significant other may propose over the holidays? Czech women throw a shoe over their shoulder while standing with their backs to the house door, to let fate decide whether they will stay single or be married within the next year. If the shoe lands with the heel toward the door, a single lady you will be.

Other Global Celebrations

Although December 31^st marks the end of the calendar year, many around the world have another day between November and February where a cultural — and sometimes religious — New Year is celebrated, like the Hindi celebration of Diwali, which takes place in November, and the Chinese New Year, occurring between January 21^st and February 20^th. And just like all New Year celebrations in North America, they are enjoyed with lots of light including fireworks and candles, while surrounded by family and food.

Festive, Feast-Worthy Dishes 

Try your hand at some fun, delectable recipes this season from all over Eastern and Western Europe, South Asia, Northern African and South America:

• For breads, try Greece’s Christopsomo which translates to Christ’s bread. It is baked the week before Christmas and served with honey, dried fruits and nuts.
• A popular entrée in Canada, traditionally served on Christmas Eve or Christmas day, is Tourtiore, a combination of beef, pork or veal, onion and herbs finely chopped and baked in a pie shell.
• For after-dinner sweets, try Egypt’s Ka’ak, Britain’s mince pies or Switzerland’s Ringli,   homemade donuts traditionally eaten after holiday service.
• No winter celebration is complete without a comforting, warming drink – a mug full of hot chocolate or maybe even some drunken eggnog perhaps. Try Belize’s Rum Popo, spiked eggnog served alongside a slice of black fruitcake. (Don’t let the color alarm you; it’s very similar to a spice cake, but with fried fruits.)

Dazzling, Delicious, and Offbeat Decorations 

Although you usually find a mix of everything hanging from the branches of North American Christmas trees, certain ornaments are specific linked to traditions from countries all around the world:

• Food-based ornaments including gingerbread, walnuts, apples and cranberry garlands, are often found on traditional trees in the Czech Republic, France and Latvia.
• Paper crafts and woven pieces are found mostly in Denmark and Croatia, while in Lithuania, it’s common to find eggshells and feathers nuzzled within the branches of each tree.
• Switzerland and Germany were the first countries to use glass and crystal ornaments as decorations. The crystal globe is hung from Swiss trees to represent the simplicity of light, and the snowflakes are to represent the four regions of the beautiful country.
•  Color-themed trees are also a huge hit here in North America; some will do all blue trees, some green and red, some white.
• In Lebanon, all white decorations are a yearly tradition representing peace in the land.
• A Native American decorating tradition includes using mirrors, instead of lights, intended to help keep bad spirits away. You’ll also find items such as corn and natural, earthy items hung from the tree. Tobacco is commonly thrown onto the tree as well, while special prayers are said offering good luck.

Due to America’s famous melting–pot quality, most traditions mentioned above have been adapted in some way here — making the holiday season so much more special, with diverse and multicultural ways of celebrating this gorgeous, emotional and humanitarian time of the year.

On the other hand, should you wish to cling to your own time-tested and revered customs – not going to give up that special Christmas dinner for anything new-fangled! — there is one tradition celebrated worldwide that will never change: spending quality time with loved ones while enjoying good food and tasty drinks.

Happy Holidays everyone!