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How the World Celebrates Christmas
Christmas Customs: A Grand Tour of Unique Traditions Around the World
As an important Western traditional festival, Christmas carries the historical, cultural and life marks of different countries and regions. From the icy fairy tales of Northern Europe to the warm sun atmosphere of Southern Europe, from the passionate carnivals of the Americas to the integrated innovation of Asia, the Christmas customs of various countries not only share common warmth but also have unique characteristics. These customs, like scattered stars, jointly adorn this festival full of hope and joy.
Italy: Strong Religious Atmosphere Accompanied by Special Cuisine
Christmas in Italy is full of a strong religious atmosphere because it is the center of Catholicism. On Christmas Eve, many families will go to church to attend midnight mass, listen to the priest’s preaching and feel the sacredness of the festival. Italy’s Christmas dinner is very distinctive, with different traditional cuisines in different regions. In the south, people will have the “Feast of the Seven Fishes”, a feast made of seven kinds of fish, symbolizing abundance and good luck; in the north, roasted turkey and roasted pork are more common. In addition, Christmas desserts are indispensable, such as honey cake and Panettone. This kind of bread is soft and sweet, mixed with raisins, candied fruits, etc., and is a must-have food on the Italian Christmas table. During Christmas, the streets of Italian cities are decorated extremely gorgeously. The Christmas lights and Christmas trees in cities such as Rome and Milan attract a large number of tourists to stop and admire.
The Americas: Passionate and Diversified Integration, Coexisting Carnival and Warmth
The United States: Multicultural Integration with a Warm Christmas Atmosphere
Christmas in the United States integrates the cultural characteristics of immigrants from all over the world, forming a unique festive atmosphere. At the beginning of the Christmas season, major cities will hold grand Christmas tree lighting ceremonies. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center in New York is particularly noteworthy and has become a iconic event of American Christmas. American families pay great attention to Christmas decorations. In addition to Christmas trees, they will place Christmas wreaths, sleds, reindeer and other ornaments at the door. Some families will also decorate their houses and courtyards with colored lights, which are like a dreamy fairy tale world when lit at night. On Christmas Eve, the whole family will gather to enjoy a Christmas dinner. Roasted turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie are classic combinations. Children will hang long socks at the head of the bed before going to bed, expecting Santa Claus to climb in through the chimney and fill the socks with gifts. In addition, Christmas parades and football games are also important activities for Americans during Christmas, full of passion and joy.
Brazil: Summer Christmas, Full of Passion
Due to its geographical location, Christmas in Brazil falls in summer, which also makes Brazil’s Christmas customs full of tropical style. Unlike the winter Christmas in other countries, Brazilians will wear light clothes to celebrate the festival. Many people will go to the beach for vacation, hold Christmas parties on the beach, and enjoy barbecue, seafood and iced drinks. Brazil’s Christmas decorations also incorporate tropical elements. In addition to traditional Christmas trees, coconut trees and tropical flowers are also used for decoration. Midnight mass in the church is still an important activity, and people will take their families to the church to pray for blessings. In addition, Brazilians also like to set off fireworks during Christmas. The gorgeous fireworks blooming in the night sky add a lively atmosphere to the festival.
Asia: Integrated Innovation with Unique Christmas Charm
Japan: Strong Commercial Atmosphere, Combining Romance and Warmth
In Japan, Christmas is not a statutory holiday, but the festive atmosphere is very strong, especially popular among young people. Japan’s Christmas customs are full of commercial atmosphere and romantic colors. Major shopping malls will launch exquisite Christmas decorations and promotional activities, making them a popular place for young people to date and shop. Christmas Eve is a romantic festival for Japanese people. Couples will have Christmas dinner together, watch movies and exchange gifts, and KFC’s Christmas fried chicken set has become a major feature of Japanese Christmas. It is said that this custom originated from a KFC marketing campaign in the 1970s and has now taken root in people’s hearts. Many people will queue up in advance to buy Christmas fried chicken. In addition, Japanese people also place Christmas trees and exchange Christmas cards, perfectly integrating Western Christmas customs with local romantic culture.
Philippines: The Country with the Strongest Christmas Atmosphere in Asia, a Long Christmas Season
The Philippines is the country with the strongest Christmas atmosphere in Asia. Its Christmas season starts on December 1st and lasts until Epiphany on January 6th of the following year, lasting more than a month. Most Filipinos are Catholics. During Christmas, churches will hold various religious activities. Midnight mass is the top priority, and people will go to the church early to pray devoutly. The Christmas decorations in the Philippines are also very grand. The streets are decorated with colored lights, Christmas wreaths and star-shaped decorations, and the windows of every household will be pasted with Christmas stickers. On the Christmas dinner table, lechon (roast suckling pig) is an indispensable special delicacy, in addition to ham, cheese, fruits and so on. Family reunion is the core of Christmas in the Philippines. No matter where they are, people will try their best to go home to spend the festival with their families.
The Christmas customs of different countries are vivid reflections of their respective histories, cultures and geographical environments. Although they take different forms, they all revolve around the core themes of reunion, blessing and hope. In this festival full of love, these unique customs not only add rich colors to the festival but also strengthen the communication and integration between different cultures.
