While we are all aware that Christmas is celebrated all around the world, have you ever been curious about Christmas traditions outside of the USA and Canada? I learned through a professor in university that in Canada, not everyone observes the holiday as a religious holiday. In other parts of the world where there is a significant Christian population, Christmas is often observed as a religious holiday. Sometimes, in non-Christian counties, Christmas traditions were brought over by colonists, and people continue to celebrate the non-religious traditions such as decorating the house and giving each other gifts. Often, Christmas festivities are blended into other local holidays that occur around this time of the year.
I never really grew up celebrating Christmas at home, but my family and I went to a lot of Christmas parties hosted by our Christian friends. This year, I asked my friends from all around the world about their Christmas traditions.
The school I went to was run by the Catholic church. A lot of their Christmas traditions were adopted from the British. In India, Christmas festivities start in early December. My friends from Mumbai, a city in India known for the film industry, told me about Christmas Bazaars, which are similar to Christmas markets found in European countries. Local craftspeople make decorations and other festive items. It is not common to see candy canes or gingerbread houses. The more common decorations are the Star of David, a Christmas tree, a wreath for the door, and string lights.
A unique tradition is the Nativity Scene competition. Residents of apartment complexes and housing strata get together to create a large-scale Nativity Scene. Gymkhanas, (an Anglo-Indian word for an assembly or gathering place) host dances and parties in the days leading up to Christmas.
On Christmas Eve, families get together and get ready for Midnight Mass. The traditional Christmas lunch is chicken and ham, with stuffing, some Indian dishes such as Vindaloo, and rum cake for dessert. It is common to spend Christmas Day evening drinking with family, or hosting dinner parties to celebrate with non-Christian friends. Boxing Day is not a statutory holiday, but celebrations continue.
Gift-giving is not a widely observed tradition in India. However, children do receive Christmas presents. And nowadays, friends and offices organize Secret Santa. I got to be part of it for the first time at my first job. A lot of us were still unsure about the tradition and were too shy to ask for something. So, a lot of us just asked our Secret Santa to get us whatever they liked.
I never really grew up celebrating Christmas at home, but my family and I went to a lot of Christmas parties hosted by our Christian friends.
Unsurprisingly, a lot us got chocolates. Most of us did except for three people who knew better. Next year, the organizers made sure everyone put down a physical item and no gift cards.
My friends from Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands celebrate Christmas similar to one another but very different from India and North America.
In Austria and Germany, Christmas festivities begin on Krampus Day observed on Dec. 5. Adults dress up as demons known as Krampus. His most notable features are his long tongue, fangs, horns and black or brown fur. The Krampus visit businesses and homes and give treats to children if they’re good. The most common treats are small snacks such as dry fruit, mandarins, and small chocolates. If the children are bad, they receive a whack with a birch stick.
December 6 is Saint Niklaus Day in Austria and Germany. He is also known as Sinterklaas in the Netherlands but the day is observed on Dec. 5 and replaces Krampus Day. However, much of the celebrations remain the same. Sinterklaas arrives on a ship and is given a grandiose welcome. He visits houses and gives treats or punishments to children.
A unique tradition in these countries is the pickle. A pickle-shaped ornament is hidden inside the Christmas tree. On Christmas Day, whoever is successful in finding the pickle is given an extra present.
A lot of Europeans celebrate Christmas on Dec. 24. Traditional Christmas food varies: fish, duck, turkey and ham. Other food commonly consumed are sausages and noodle soup.
In the UK, my friend prepares a traditional Christmas dinner which is roast turkey, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and Yorkshire pudding. It is common in the UK to leave mince pies out for Father Christmas (UK’s variant of Santa Claus) instead of milk and cookies. In Ireland, they leave a Guinness out for Santy.
Some of my American friends, observe both Yule and Christmas. Yule celebrates the Winter Solstice or the “return of the Sun” and festivities originally start from November to January. Some of the shared traditions include decorating red ornaments, mistletoe, and wreaths made from holly and evergreen trees, and are said to predate Christianity. Traditions such as the Yule Log and carolling are also said to trace back to Pagan Yule traditions.
I hope that you all find a little happiness in learning about Christmas in other places, as I’m sure Christmas is certainly very different. Have a Safe and Merry Christmas!
A graduate in marketing and pop-culture enthusiast, Shaalika Jagadishwaran was born in India and grew up in the Middle East. She moved to Cape Breton in early 2020, just before the pandemic hit and is still finding her way around the community.