Christmas Around the World

Christmas in USA

The United States of America integrate put together different elements from different sites in the way they celebrate Christmas. The practice of putting up a Christmas tree comes from Germany, and parades from Latin America. Additionally, Christmas carols are made popular by the English and Australians, and Santa Claus by the Europeans. Other than the general celebration with caroling, feasting, Christmas gift giving, and redecorating, each American family has their personal way of Christmas celebrations. Not surprisingly, these traditions vary from one place to another within USA. For instance, in Washington DC there is a central celebration of Christmas tree lighting on the Ellipse. Here you will find one big tree which represents the entire American nation, and some other smaller trees signifying the other states. The oldest city in US, St. Augustine, Florida lights up the whole city with white lights on Christmas. No other lights are allowed except for white. On the other hand, in New Orleans, caroling is the primary focus of the Christmas celebration. Thousands of people mob the Jackson Square annually to have group caroling around big bonfires lit along the river of Mississippi. But yet again, plenty Americans just love to spend time in Hollywood, California to witness the annual Parade of Stars, whilst others enjoy themselves at Christmas concerts or caroling festivities in and around the city.

Christmas in France
Learning a bit of the French vocabulary? Try saying Merry Christmas in French tongue with Joyeux Noël! In France, Christmas is known as Noël and Father Christmas is Père Noël. Christmas trees are beautified with candles and vibrant red ribbons, and are lighted on Christmas. Moreover, families gather around and altogether feast on fine wine and meat. Kids assemble shoes and boots by the fireplace for Santa to keep all the Christmas gifts and goodies in them. And almost all families set up a Nativity scene at home during the yuletide season.

Christmas in Spain
Feliz Navidad! That’s how you express the merriment of Christmas when in Spain. Spanish Christmas is basically religious in spirit and celebration. Furthermore, the country’s patron is Virgin Mary and hence, Spain practices a pious Christmas festivity. Christmas officially starts in the 8th of December which also happens to be feast day of Immaculate Conception. Every year, the Spanish celebrate Christmas facing Seville's Gothic cathedral carrying out a ceremony known as 'los Seises' or the 'dance associated with six'.

Christmas in Portugal
Christmas celebration in Portugal is pretty much the same as that in Spain.  Whatever holiday presents the kids receive from Father Christmas, these are stacked under the sparkling Christmas tree or in the shoes by the fireplace. At Christmas Eve’s midnight, the Portuguese share a special Christmas meal of dried and salted cod-fish, and boiled potatoes. And in the early Christmas morn, they devour a sumptuous meal called 'consoada', a tradition where seats are left empty at the table for the 'alminhas a penar' also known as the 'souls of the dead'. This tradition takes its roots from the ancient practice of leaving seeds to the dead ancestors praying to be rewarded for a more bountiful harvest.

Christmas in England
Great Britain claims to be the origin of hanging stockings during Christmas. It is believed that Father Christmas once dropped some gold coins while getting down a chimney and the coins landed on one of the stockings that were hung to dry. Since then, the idea of hanging stockings was born, and children these days make it a point to hang their stockings for Santa to fill with Christmas presents and treats. In certain parts, 'pantomime' is another popular holiday tradition. And of course, Christmas gift giving and wishing everybody a Merry Christmas is there in England.



Christmas in Germany

In Germany, the celebration of St. Nicholas Day in December 6 is analogous to the Christmas celebrations of the English. Besides wishing everyone a 'Froehliche Weihnachten' or 'Merry Christmas', the customs and traditions of Christmas differ from one region to another within Germany. IN actuality, St. Nicholas Day is reserved for the young ones to enjoy and indulge with all the Christmas presents. Following this, the Christmas gift giving itself kicks off on the night of Christmas Eve. Most of the time, gifts are kept the Christmas tree and people gobble a traditional roasted duck in their Christmas meal. Weihnachtsmann who is a St. Nicholas look-alike delivers Christmas gifts and there are times when Christkind, a fairy child often likened to baby Jesus, brings the gifts to kids.