With different time zones, languages, and weather conditions, Christmas traditions around the world are all so unique. In some countries, Christmas traditions can last days, or even months, before and after the official date.
Ever since Christmas was declared a national holiday on June 28, 1870, the holiday has been one of the most famous and beloved holidays celebrated worldwide. Early Christmas celebrations started as long feasts and exchanges of gifts and as time went on, new traditions have been added into the celebration.
According to “Russian Christmas Traditions,” Russian celebrations kick off when December starts. Houses are decorated with lights, angel cut outs, and the traditional Russian Christmas tree is put up. A winter festival, called Koliada, is held where children and adults dress up as animals and sing kolyadkis, or carols.
During the Soviet Union’s reign, Christmas was banned; but of course, many people did not abide by the rules and celebrated in secret. When the ban was lifted, Russia made it a public holiday.
A running joke is that Christmas in the United States starts the minute the clock strikes 12:00 a.m. on Nov. 1, pauses on Thanksgiving, and then resumes after it ends. Christmas trees are put up, lights are hung, and cookies are baked. Many people go all out by having Christmas light competitions and gingerbread house competitions.
As said in “How Christmas is celebrated in the United States,” New York’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is one of America’s most loved trees and the lighting event is enjoyed by many. Many visitors from around the globe go as far as traveling to New York to see the lighting.
In “Six Traditional Things Salvadorans Do on Christmas Day,” going to the beach for Christmas Eve is not a typical tradition in the states, but for El Salvador, since the climate is always hot and humid, families spend the day splashing in the water and enjoying their time together. At midnight, fireworks are lit and hugs are shared amongst everyone to celebrate this holiday.
Chicken, tamales, pupusas and other regional dishes are made and served on Christmas for dinner. The day after, leftovers are used as breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Christmas being celebrated as Valentines Day is not common in the United States, but it is in China. Young adults exchange gifts, confess their love for each other, and go on dates. Christmas is also used as a way to promote many sales for stores
Although it’s not an official holiday in all of China, it’s celebrated by many citizens. According to “Christmas in China; How Its Celebrated in 2023,” the article states that “Interestingly, sending apples as gifts to friends on Christmas Eve is one of the traditions of a Chinese Christmas.” Eating an apple is a symbol of peace and prosperity.
In Hong Kong, Christmas is celebrated for 2 whole days. On Dec. 25, it’s celebrated as the traditional holiday, and then on Dec. 26, it’s celebrated as Boxing Day where it’s used for sales after Christmas and for employers to give out gifts to their employees.
To maintain children’s’ belief in Old Saint Nick, as explained in “How do the French celebrate Christmas?”, France implemented a law in 1962 which states that if a child sends a letter to Santa, the postal service is obligated to send one back. Many French people hang wreaths on their doors, some with four unlit candles. As each Sunday passes, the candle is lit to resemble how many Sundays are left until Christmas.
On Christmas Eve, masses are held going into Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus in his home. After Christmas families do Fête de Rois, which is a cake-cutting tradition. The person who finds the little baby in his or her slice is crowned queen/king for the rest of the day.
