Christmas around the world

Choose a country to visit.
Philippines
Australia
South Africa
Poland
USA
Croatia
England
Mexico
Spain
France
China
Nigeria

The Christmas celebrations in Spain begin on the 24th of December (Christmas Eve).
Merry Christmas in Spanish is ‘Feliz Navidad’.
The streets are decorated with festive lights. Christmas trees and the traditional Christmas flower, the poinsettia, are in abundance. Statues of ‘Papa Noel’, or Father Christmas, are seen on balconies and windowsills.
Christmas in Spain

The main meal at Christmas is usually eaten on Christmas Eve and is shared with family and friends. ‘Pavo Trufado de Navidad’ is one of the traditional meals. The meal consists of turkey stuffed with special mushrooms called truffles.
Christmas in Spain
After the meal, many Spanish people go to Midnight Mass in church. This is a special Christmas service, called ‘La Misa Del Gallo’ (The Mass of the Rooster). It is
said that a rooster crowed when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
In Galicia, which is in the north-west region of Spain, seafood is usually eaten here at Christmas because it is on the coast.

Christmas in Spain
One Spanish saying is 'Esta noche es Noche-Buena, Y no es noche de dormir' which means 'Tonight is the good night and it is not meant for sleeping!’
After Mass, people walk through the streets carrying lit torches, playing guitars and beating tambourines.
Now complete the Christmas in Spain Activity to get your passport
stamped for visiting Spain.
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Christmas in France
French homes are decorated with Advent wreaths, often with real candles. Christmas trees also feature in houses in France and are decorated with lights and glass ornaments. Traditionally homes are only decorated on Christmas Eve.
Christmas is an important festival in France.
Merry Christmas in Spanish is ‘Joyeux Noël’.

Christmas in France
Nativity scenes or cribs are also commonly used decorations. Apart from the usual figures, local craftspeople will include models of a butcher, baker, policeman and other well-known local characters, in the Nativity scene! The idea of the crib dates back to the 14th century in Avignon, introduced by St Francis of Assisi.
Father Christmas is called ‘Père Noël’. The French tradition is that children leave their shoes by the fireplace or under the Christmas tree, and Père Noël will fill their shoes with sweets, nuts and small toys.

Christmas in France
Yule Logs On Christmas Eve - it is traditional to bring in a log made from cherry wood and sprinkle it with red wine! The log makes a pleasant smell while it is burning. The log would then be left to burn all evening and through the night, in case Mary and the Baby Jesus pass and need a warm place to stay.
On Christmas Eve, many people in France attend Midnight Mass. When they return home, they share their main Christmas dinner. In French, this meal is called ‘réveillon’. It means 'The Awakening' because Christians believe
the true importance of Christmas
has been revealed:
God’s son has been born.

Christmas in France
Traditional food at réveillon is smoked salmon, oysters, lobster, goose and cheeses. In some parts of France, this meal includes eating 13 different desserts made from fruit, nuts and pastries. The celebrations continue until the first Sunday in January, when the arrival of the Three Wise Men is commemorated, called 'La Fête des Rois'.
Now complete the Christmas in France Activity to get your passport
stamped for visiting France.
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Christmas in China
Christmas is a Christian festival in origin. While only 1% of Chinese people are Christians, this is still around 13 million people who celebrate Christmas. However, many people in rural areas of China do not know what Christmas is. It is not a public holiday, so most people go to work on Christmas Day.
Merry Christmas in Chinese is ‘Shèngdàn Kuàilè’.
In Mandarin, it is written like this: 圣诞快乐

Santa Claus is called ‘Shèngdàn Lăorén’ which
Means ‘Old Christmas Man’.
Christmas in China
Although not many people celebrate Christmas in China, the major towns and cities are decorated with lights and Christmas trees. Most large shops will display decorated trees too. 60% of the world’s Christmas decorations are made in the Chinese city of Yiwu, south of Shanghai.
Instead of the traditional turkey, Christmas food in China is more likely to be barbecued pork, chicken and soup.

It is also common for Christians in China to attend Midnight Mass at church.
Christmas in China
Christmas traditions in China are quite new. One tradition on Christmas Eve, which has developed over recent years, is giving each other apples wrapped in coloured paper. This is because Christmas Eve is called 'Ping’an Ye', which means 'peaceful or quiet evening'. This has been translated from the carol 'Silent Night'.
Now complete the Christmas in China Activity to get your passport stamped for visiting China.
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Christmas in Mexico
Posada is the Spanish word for ‘inn’. The procession is a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph finding somewhere to stay in Bethlehem. During the posada, houses are decorated using evergreen plants and paper lanterns. Children carry candles and figures of Mary and Joseph. As they travel from house to house, they sing songs about the weary travellers looking for somewhere to stay. Eventually, the travellers are told there is room.
Merry Christmas in Mexican is ‘Feliz Navidad’.
Between the 16th of December until Christmas Eve, children often take part in a ‘posada’, which is a procession.

Christmas in Mexico
Christmas in Mexico is celebrated from the 12th of December until the 6th of January.
Once the children are told there is room, they enter the house and are invited to join a party. The host will give them food and drink and they will play games, such as piñata.
The traditional Nativity scene is displayed in most houses. 'Nacimiento' or nativity scenes are very popular in Mexico. The figure of baby Jesus is not added
until Christmas Eve. The Three Wise Men are
added for Epiphany on the 6th of January.

Christmas in Mexico
Christmas Eve is 'Nochebuena' in Spanish. On this day, most families have a special dinner together, watch fireworks and attend Midnight Mass. Families might eat ‘tamales’, which are cornmeal dumplings wrapped in corn husks. ‘Ponche Navideño’ is a hot fruit punch made with Mexican hawthorn called tejocotes. Guavas, apples and other fruit are added and the drink is flavoured with cinnamon.

Christmas in Mexico
Now complete the Christmas in Mexico Activity to get your passport stamped for visiting Mexico.
Epiphany is known as ‘Día de los Tres Reyes Magos’ in Spanish. On this day, Mexican families eat a round bread called ‘Rosca de Reyes’. It is a sweet bread that traditionally has a figure of the baby Jesus hidden within it. It is said that whoever finds the figure in their slice will be blessed.
Christmas Day is generally a quiet day. Some children may have some presents to open but they mostly receive their gifts on the 6th of January, which is Epiphany. This is the time when people remember the Three Wise Men visiting the baby Jesus.
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Christmas in Poland
Traditional Christmas trees are decorated with lights, gingerbread and baubles called 'bombki'. The star of Bethlehem is on the top of the tree.
Merry Christmas in Polish is ‘Wesołych Świąt’.
Advent is an important time in Poland, as this marks the beginning of the Christmas celebrations. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day when people clean their houses from top to bottom. Carpets are cleaned, windows are washed, and general preparations are made in the house for Christmas time.

Christmas in Poland
Christmas Eve is very important in Poland. It is generally a day of fasting, which means people do not eat all day until the evening meal. The fasting is broken by having a feast.
No one can eat until the first star is spotted in the sky. Children are usually the first to see the star!
The supper begins with the breaking of the 'opłatek'. This is a wafer biscuit with the image of the Holy Family on it. Everyone at the table breaks off a piece and eats it as a symbol of their unity with Christ. They then share a piece of biscuit with each family member. It is a sign of forgiveness between one another.
The family gathers together for a special meal called 'wieczerza wigilijna', which means ‘Christmas Eve supper’.

Christmas in Poland
There are traditionally twelve dishes of food on the table. These represent the twelve disciples or good luck for the next twelve months.
Traditional foods include:
barszcz – beetroot soup;
uszka – dumplings with mushrooms;
krokiety – pancakes with mushrooms and cabbage;
carp – it is said the scales of this fish dish
bring good luck and fortune;
piernik - cake made from honey;
makowiec - poppy seed roll;
pierogi – small dumplings with
sweet or savoury fillings.

Christmas in Poland
After the presents have been opened, many people in Poland go to church for Midnight Mass.
In Poland, it is believed that 'Święty Mikolaj' leaves presents for the children. In Northern Poland, the Starman brings the presents.
Then they wish each other ‘Wesołych Świąt’ (Merry Christmas)!
Now complete the Christmas in Poland Activity to get your passport stamped for visiting Poland.
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Christmas in Philippines
Happy Christmas in Filipino (the main language spoken) is 'Pasko'.
People in the Philippines love Christmas and spread out the celebrations for as long as possible. Some shopping malls even start decorating and playing Christmas carols in September! This predominantly Christian (Catholic) nation has earned the distinction of the world’s longest Christmas season, lasting into early January.
Christmas customs in the Philippines have been largely influenced by the Americans and the Spanish. Most homes are heavily decorated in lights and lanterns. Lanterns on bamboo poles or frames are called 'parol' and are usually in the shape of a star made out of colourful Japanese paper or cellophane. The star is meant to represent the star that led the three wise men to Jesus in the nativity story.
Between the 16th and 24th of December, churches hold a series of dawn masses called 'Simbang Gabi' (Night Mass) or 'Misa de Gallo' (Rooster’s Mass, in Spanish). Some services start as early as 3 a.m! Attending mass is a way of showing devotion in anticipation of the birth of Jesus.

Christmas in Philippines
Christmas Eve - 'Bisperas ng Pasko'
Christmas Eve is most cherished by Filipinos who celebrate by attending a Midnight Mass at church and by having a traditional 'Noche Buena' feast.
When getting together, Filipinos also love to sing - it would be hard to find a household that did not have a karaoke machine!
The Noche Buena is when people open their houses to celebrate with friends and family to dine together and exchange gifts. Most spreads would include foods such as lechon (roasted pig), pancit (noodles), bibingka and puto bumbong (rice cakes), fruit, steamed rice and other desserts.

Did you know...?
There are eight main languages in the Philippines.
The Philippines is a country made up of over
7000 islands.
The parol lantern originated from the Mexican piñata.
Christmas in Philippines
Now complete the Christmas in the Philippines Activity to get your passport stamped for visiting the Philippines.
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In England, many people will buy a real fir tree that they bring inside their homes and decorate with baubles and lights.
Each day, they open the door for that date and behind the door is usually a chocolate or a picture.
Christmas in England
Many people in England decorate their homes in December. They hang lights outside their houses and paper chains, sprigs of holly and other decorations inside.
Some homes have a pretend fir tree so that they can re-use it each year. Presents are often placed under the tree. People in England often send cards wishing their friends and relatives a ‘Happy Christmas.’ Cards are then sometimes hung up on display in homes.
Christmas in England starts with Advent, which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. Some children have Advent calendars with little numbered doors.
In church, an Advent candle is lit. Sometimes, the candle is one of four on a wreath, with one being lit each Sunday in Advent and the fifth one (in the middle) being lit on Christmas Day.

When they wake up, children will usually open the presents in their stockings. Sometimes, other gifts are given and received.
Christmas in England
A few weeks before Christmas, it is traditional in England for children to write letters to Father Christmas, with a list of what they would like. It is thought that they will only receive presents if they have been well-behaved during the year. In many English schools, young children will take part in Nativity plays. They dress up as characters from the Christmas story and act it out. Many churches will also have a Nativity scene set up throughout December.
In England, Christmas Day is on the 25th of December.
Christmas Eve is on the 24th of December and is the day before Christmas Day. A lot of children hang stockings at the end of their beds in the hope that Father Christmas will visit and leave them some presents. They sometimes leave a mince pie and a drink out for Father Christmas and a carrot for Rudolph, his reindeer.
Some people go to a special carol service in church on Christmas Day.

Christmas in England
In England, a traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey, pigs in blankets (sausages wrapped in bacon), roast potatoes and vegetables.
Many families spend time with their relatives and lots of food is eaten.
Dessert is Christmas pudding made from
fruit, with cream or custard.
Now complete the Christmas in England Activity to get your passport stamped for visiting England.
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Christmas in South Africa
Most Advent calendars have a little chocolate or a picture hiding behind each numbered door, and the children look forward to opening one little door each day in the countdown to Christmas Day.
Although it is the middle of summer in South Africa, many Christmas traditions from colder countries are still followed by many families and pictures of snowmen are still commonplace on wrapping paper and decorations.
The excitement for Christmas Day often starts on the 1st of December when children open the first door on their Advent calendars.

As it gets closer to Christmas, many South African children write letters to Father Christmas, with a list of what they would like. It is thought that they will only receive presents if they have been well-behaved during the year and the Elf on the Shelf is always there to keep an eye on the children to make sure they are on their best behaviour.
Many people in South Africa decorate their homes in December, which always includes a Christmas Tree with twinkling lights. Most of the Christmas trees in South Africa are fake plastic trees. Some people even decorate the outside of their house with flashing lights and many families enjoy driving around different neighbourhoods in December to admire them.
These Elves are usually quite naughty and get up to all sorts of mischief at night while everyone is asleep.
Christmas in South Africa

A lot of children hang stockings up in the hope that Father Christmas will visit and leave them some presents. They sometimes leave a cookie and a drink out for Father Christmas to enjoy as well as a carrot for Rudolph and the other reindeer.
Christmas Day is on the 25th of December and is a day that South Africans usually spend with family or friends. Many families will attend a church service on Christmas morning.
Christmas Eve is on the 24th of December and is the day before Christmas Day.
Christmas in South Africa

Presents are opened and a Christmas meal is always enjoyed. It is often a 'braai', or cold meats and salad but many families still enjoy a traditional turkey and gammon. Many families spend the day enjoying family games of cricket or fun in the pool.
Christmas Eve is on the 24th of December and is the day before Christmas Day.
Christmas in South Africa
Now complete the Christmas in South Africa Activity to get your passport stamped for visiting South Africa.
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Christmas in the United States of America
Christmas is a joyful celebration for Christians. On Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, Son of God, is celebrated. It is celebrated by Christians in the United States and around the world. Many non-Christian Americans also celebrate Christmas Day and the festive season. It is a season of kindness and thankfulness.
In 1870, the U.S. government declared December the 25th as a
national holiday.
Many Christmas festivities, although originally from the Christian church, are now embraced as American traditions. They are enjoyed by people from many cultures. Many Americans attend church during the Christmas season to enjoy traditional worship services. There they sing much-loved carols and also watch reenactments of the Nativity.

Christmas in the United States of America
The giving and receiving of gifts is a time-honored Christmas tradition. Some boys and girls mail carefully compiled lists to Santa Claus. These lists share the gifts that children want the most and are hoping to receive. Gifts are received on Christmas morning. They may be in stockings hung on the fireplace or packages under the Christmas tree. Friends and families also exchange gifts.
December is the time to sparkle and shine!
Once Thanksgiving is over, Americans look toward the Christmas holiday season. They decorate their homes and businesses with fragrant wreaths, twinkling lights and Christmas trees.

Christmas in the United States of America
Some traditional Christmas foods include hot chocolate with marshmallows, eggnog, gingerbread and many other fresh baked sweets. Families and friends gather for delicious meals.
Traditional Christmas music sets the background sound of the season. Christmas carols are sung by candlelight on Christmas Eve, festive jazz music is played in stores, and school choirs welcome in the Christmas season!
America produces more than 1.7 billion candy canes each year!

Christmas in the United States of America
The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 15 billion cards, letters, and packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas!
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Now complete the Christmas in the USA Activity to get your passport stamped for visiting the USA.

Christmas in Nigeria
Religion aside, most people will celebrate the Christmas period. People buy live hens, turkeys, goats and cows to eat on Christmas Day.
Nigeria is a very diverse place, with around 250 ethnic groups, each with its own customs and language. The official language is English and national languages include Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa. Around half of the country’s population are Muslims, while the other half are mostly Christians.
Christmas in Nigeria is celebrated with weeks of preparation and excitement.

Christmas in Nigeria
To say Happy/Merry Christmas in:
Christmas Eve is the time when people discuss their lives and plans for the year. These family meetings can last until early the next morning. On Christmas morning people greet each other with ‘Merry Christmas’ in English and local languages. Many different languages are spoken in Nigeria.
Families often travel to their hometowns for the holiday period. This means that usually, busy cities like Lagos will be quieter. Streets that might usually be quiet will suddenly become busy shopping centres selling Christmas decorations, firecrackers, livestock and clothing.
Hausa is 'barka dà Kirsìmatì’;
Yoruba is 'E ku odun, e ku iye'dun';
Fulani is 'Jabbama be salla Kirismati’;
Igbo is 'E keresimesi Oma’.

Christmas in Nigeria
Families hold Christmas parties on Christmas Eve, which often last until morning. On Christmas morning, many people will go to church for special Christmas Day ceremonies. Most homes will be decorated with an artificial Christmas tree and children love to play with firecrackers. In the state of Calabar, a special 'Ibibio' celebration is held.
Performers dress in colourful costumes and perform folk dramas and masquerades
Children wear masks made from coloured raffia or paint their faces with makeup. Groups gather for friendly competitions to see who is the best at singing, dancing and drumming.

Cooking for Christmas Day starts first thing in
the morning.
Christmas in Nigeria
You will often hear children say, “Aunty/Uncle, come do Christmas for me!” as they ask their family and
friends for gifts of money and sweets. Christmas is
the time of year to help those less fortunate. Anyone whose business is doing well will be expected to buy gifts for the whole family.
The whole extended family will help the woman of the house prepare. In addition to serving turkey, a traditional Christmas meal in Nigeria may include beef, goat, sheep, ram or chicken.

Adults like to drink palm-wine and children will treat
themselves with soft-drinks.
Christmas in Nigeria
Other dishes might include pounded yam, jollof rice, fried rice, vegetable salad and some type of stew. A special Igbo dish called 'nkwobi' is prepared using goat or other meat, palm oil and local herbs and spices.
Now complete the Christmas in Nigeria Activity to get your passport stamped for visiting Nigeria.
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In Australia, Christmas is celebrated
in the middle of summer.
Christmas in Australia
The hot weather means some aspects
of Christmas are very different
compared to colder countries. Many traditions enjoyed in Australia at Christmastime are similar to festive traditions in other countries. Due to the hot weather, only some people choose to have a real Christmas tree as it may die or rot in the heat (or leave an awful smell before Christmas has even arrived). It is much more common to have a synthetic, plastic tree.
Very few Australian houses have a fireplace so families choose a different place to hang their stockings.

Christmas in Australia
This is a concert of Christmas songs and carols attended by families who like to sing along. One of the last pieces is usually a Santa-themed song when Santa arrives to greet all of the children. The final song is usually a heart-warming track to send people home in the Christmas spirit.
A popular Australian tradition is the 'Carols by
Candlelight' performance.

Christmas in Australia
Families often enjoy going to the beach or swimming in their pool on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Instead of building a snowman, some children like to build
a sandman on the beach. Some people may also enjoy playing a friendly game of cricket.
Many families enjoy a refreshing tropical fruit punch made with different fruit juices and soft drinks.

Can you imagine if he wore his
thick, red, furry suit and boots in
the scorching Australian summer?
Christmas in Australia
On Boxing Day, many families enjoy a picnic outside – the children might even take their new toys to play with. When they picnic in the park, it is important to try and find the shadiest spot out of the sun. It is vital to keep cool and hydrated during such extraordinarily hot weather! When Santa lands in Australia, he changes into shorts and a t-shirt, and he wears a hat and sunglasses
to suit the warm weather.

Christmas in Australia
Anyone who experiences a traditional Australian Christmas will remember it forever!
The sunny weather means there are many opportunities to have fun outdoors with family and friends.
Not many Australian homes have a chimney but this does not faze Santa. Some families believe that instead of coming down the chimney, he uses a magical key to get into their homes. Other families believe that he climbs through the living room window or he just magically appears in order to leave the presents.
Christmas in Australia can be very different compared to colder countries – it truly is a unique experience.

Christmas in Australia
Now complete the Christmas in Australia Activity to get your passport stamped for visiting the Australia.
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Christmas in Croatia
Advent is very important in Croatia. It is the beginning of the Christmas celebrations. On the fourth Sunday leading to Christmas Day, a candle is lit on the Advent wreath, continuing with one more candle each upcoming Sunday. Advent calendars were originally invented in Germany, but they are loved by children in Croatia. Originally, behind each door was an image from the Nativity story, but these days there are normally chocolates.
Merry Christmas in Croatian is ‘Sretan Božić’.

On the evening of the 5th of December, children polish their shoes and leave them outside their door. In the morning, they hope to find them filled with chocolates and gifts from St. Nicholas.
Did you know...?
St. Nicholas was a fourth-century bishop in Turkey. He was known for his good deeds and generosity. According to legend, he left presents for deserving children. St. Nicholas’ Day is on the 6th of December.
Christmas in Croatia

Traditionally December the 13th is time to plant a Christmas wheat. This day is known as St. Lucia’s Day.
Planting wheat on this day represents a symbol of life.
Christmas in Croatia
The roots of this tradition date back to times when agriculture was the main economic activity and the belief is that the taller the wheat grows, the more prosperous the year to come will be.

Fascinating Facts
Father Christmas is called 'Djed Božićnjak' in Croatia.
He leaves presents in Croatia on Christmas Eve.
Christmas in Croatia
Some people will attend Midnight Mass at their local church. Many households will eat fish on this day.
Christmas Eve is traditionally the day when all the Christmas Day preparations begin, Christmas trees are set up and decorated, cakes are baked and the Christmas wheat is usually tied with a ribbon in Croatia’s colours - red, white and blue.

Christmas Day is known as 'Božić' and is celebrated in Croatia in a very similar way to other European countries.
Family will gather in the morning to open everyone’s gifts. After that, they will eat breakfast together. Some families will attend a Christmas mass at their local church.
Food is an important part of the celebrations on this day, so no Croatian household will be short on foods such as roasted turkey, duck or goose, mlinci (Croatian flatbread pasta), sarma (rice and minced pork meat in cabbage rolls), veggies, potatoes and delicious dishes.
The day revolves around spending time with extended family and eating together.
Christmas in Croatia

Christmas in Croatia
Christmas Day is known as 'Božić' and is celebrated in Croatia in a very similar way to other European countries.
Desserts usually consist of fritule (doughnut-like festive pastry), makovnjača (poppy-seed rolls) and/or orahnjača (walnut roll), as well as the classic gingerbread cookies popular across Europe.

Christmas in Croatia
Epiphany is on the 6th of January. It
is also called 'Holy Three Kings' in Croatia and marks the end of the Christmas season. On this day, the Christmas tree and all the decorations will be taken down.
Now complete the Christmas in Croatia Activity to get your passport stamped for visiting Croatia.
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