Christmas is a well-known holiday that is celebrated across the world. However, not everyone celebrates it in the same way. Throughout the years, every country has come to hold their own traditions in how they choose to partake in the holiday. From signature meals that are eaten at the dinner table to a legend of one who punishes children that are bad, each culture has found their festive way to celebrate Christmas.

In Sweden, the holiday begins on Dec. 23 with the celebration of St. Lucia Day. St. Lucia Day commemorates a woman known to be one of the first Christian martyrs. This tradition involves the eldest daughter in each family dressing up in white gowns, candle lightings and wearing a wreath with candles. In addition, trees are set up around the biggest cities and decorate it with flowers, such as Julstjärna.

A main dish at the dinner table on Christmas Eve in Slovakia is carp. As opposed to buying the fish straight from the market, traditionalists have it live in a bathtub for a few days and then continue to prepare and serve it to eat. Legend states that the scales bring good luck and fortune for the upcoming year.

Germany sets up numerous fairs and markets throughout the region for the entirety of December. The Nuremberg Christmas Markets are known as the most famous and traditional Christmas markets in Germany. Decorations are arranged all over the cities with the tradition of putting up the Christmas tree only on Dec. 24.

Singapore’s Orchard Road Shopping district with multiple retail outlets and boutiques is always busy throughout the year but especially during the holiday season. Owners display various bright and scintillating decorations, which continue to be very impressive to the public. The decorations range from sculptures on the street side to hanging ornaments to snowflakes falling from an artificial snowflake machine.

Due to Australia falling within the Southern hemisphere, the radiating heat of summer is absorbed by the region in December. Trips to the beach for a picnic are often taken during this time as well as many outdoor activities and barbecues. Along with this, there are still many flashing lights and Christmas trees decorated in shops and homes with Christmas music constantly playing in any store that is walked into.

Christmas in Ethiopia, known as Ganna or Genna, is celebrated on Jan. 7, following the Ethiopian Orthodox Calendar. Mass is attended, beginning with a candlelit procession where a thin, white shawl called Netela is worn and a procession around the church three times. During Ganna, gifts aren’t typically exchanged, as it is a time for church, feasting and games.

In Austria, St. Nicholas delivers gifts to children who are well behaved, while the Krampus, a half-man, half-goat monster, punishes the children who are misbehaving at Christmastime. Men typically dress up as the character for a Krampuslauf, or “Krampus run.” In this, they participate in parades—scaring those watching—and go through neighborhood streets to frighten children into behaving well.

Mexico celebrates Nochebuena on Dec. 24, involving singing, dancing, a midnight mass and a grand feast after the service. This period focuses on spending quality time with family and friends. Throughout the holiday season, there are candlelight processions, nativity scenes, Spanish Christmas carols and fireworks.

Christmas is a well known time for all of its festivities. While every culture holds their own traditions and practices that they follow, there is one overall theme. As stated by American cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, “It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters, it’s who’s around it.” This time period emphasizes the importance of spending time with family and friends.

Sources:

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/g34837704/how-christmas-is-celebrated-around-the-world/

https://www.bureauworks.com/blog/christmas-around-the-world

https://blog.remitly.com/lifestyle-culture/christmas-in-singapore/

https://www.today.com/life/holidays/christmas-quotes-rcna43138