Special Christmas Traditions Around The World

These unique celebrations and customs involve lots of festivities and reflect individual cultures across the globe.

The UK has its fair share of Christmas traditions; usual examples include putting your tree up on December 1st whilst listening to Christmas music (or the eager elves who do this in mid-November) leaving milk and cookies out for Santa, visiting a winter market for mulled wine and other seasonal delicacies, spending time with family, Midnight Mass for some, and asking your siblings when they plan on waking up on Christmas morning.

Then there’s the cheese and cracker feasts, mince pies and cream, dramatic hour-long soap operas, and cheesy American Christmas movies. The list could go on! We all have our favourite traditions to look forward to and everyone has their own special ones that they create. Have you ever wondered what Christmas would be like in other places around the world?

A number of countries celebrate Christmas very differently to us in their own special way, and some cultures don’t celebrate it on the same day. We’ve gathered some of our favourite Christmas traditions from around the world which would be pretty amazing to experience with lots of fun and seasonal magic. This will certainly get you in the festive spirit!

The Philippines

Christmas is one of if not the most important seasonal holiday in the Philippines; this is the first Christian nation in Asia and the continent’s only Catholic destination, so it’s properly celebrated here throughout the whole season, not just Christmas day. A popular festive tradition in the Philippines is the Simbang Gabi, a holy mass which is conducted at dawn from December 16th-December 24th; the last mass is held at midnight followed by Noche Buena, a midnight feast.

Another Filipino Christmas tradition is the parol, a frame or bamboo pole with an illuminated star shaped lantern. Traditionally this is made from colourful origami paper and bamboo strips, representing the star of Bethlehem and used as a Christmas decoration. San Fernando, a city in the Philippines has a festival dedicated to these lanterns with thousands of them illuminating the region.

Sweden

Sweden usually celebrates a Scandinavian style Christmas, though the traditions celebrated here are very unique to most cities around the world. Christmas in Sweden commences on December 13th, renowned as Saint Lucia Day, then December 24th is Julafton, the main day of celebrations with a traditional Christmas dinner of smorgasbord - a buffet spread of meats and sweet treats.

Another popular Swedish Christmas tradition is risgryngrot, rice porridge with an almond; legend has it that the first person to find the almond when eating this porridge is believed to get married in the year ahead. Then there’s Tomte, a Christmas gnome in Swedish mythology and the Yule Goat, a symbolic Xmas symbol dating back to ancient times.

Iceland

Iceland has a very interesting and distinct festive tradition in which instead of there being just one Santa, there’s 13 Icelandic Santa Clauses in folklore aka the Yule Lads (jólasveinarnir), mischievous little Santas who each have their own distinct personality traits.

The Yule Lads come out to play throughout the country on the 13 nights leading up to Christmas, leaving presents in children’s shoes. Children have to place a shoe by the window to receive a gift from these Santas; well behaved boys and girls will wake up to stocking fillers such as candy, and naughty children will be greeted with rotten potatoes in their shoe.

New Zealand

Christmas is smack bang during summer in New Zealand, so many Kiwi festive traditions are centered around laidback bbq lunchtime gatherings, with exotic meats and popular deserts including Christmas cake, pavlova, and plum pudding. There are also some amazing Christmas light displays and parades in the mega cities of New Zealand.

Pohutukawa is the official New Zealand Christmas tree which blooms with vibrant red and crimson flowers throughout December, lining many of the country’s coastlines. It’s often featured on Christmas cards and decorations, and the tree itself is especially symbolic to the Maori culture of New Zealand. Just imagine it, sitting back on the beach with Pohutukawas in bloom among lush tropical surroundings with the warm summer sun.

We offer flights to New Zealand if you’re tempted to spend a sunny Christmas here next year?

Barbados

Fancy celebrating Christmas in paradise? Longing for a break from your usual December routine and wanting to experience something special with your favourite loved ones? Then why not visit the stunning island of Barbados one festive season and experience the unique traditions that this country celebrates. A bonus of spending December in Barbados is that the weather is relatively dry, warm and sunny, taking you a world away from the rain and winds of the UK.

Also the days are longer which means more sunshine and vitamins, therefore a happier and healthier you, not to mention a longer Christmas day! It’s not just the warm weather that makes spending this time of year in Barbados so special; it’s immersing yourself in the unique traditions… Food is an important part of Christmas in Barbados; baked ham with a glaze, great cake which comprises of dried fruits, spices, and rum, and jug jug - a savoury meat dish which comes from the country’s Scottish influences are all consumed at Christmas time.

Poland

Poland is a religious country which celebrates many family traditions at Christmas time. Christmas Eve is named Wigilia here, and it’s equally important to Christmas day with a Christmas supper feast which usually commences after the first star appears in the night sky. Traditionally, hay or straw is placed under a tablecloth and an extra seating spot is set up on the table in homes across the country to welcome any unexpected visitors, as a religious reminder of seeking shelter.

Families also usually share a Christmas wafer biscuit called oplatek before the feast takes place and wish each other a merry Christmas. The oplatek features an image of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and is usually passed around the table for everyone to break a small piece off. The Wigilia supper itself involves the serving of 12 dishes, relating to the twelve apostles and every dish represents good luck for the next 12 months. After supper, presents are given out.

Brazil

Finally, Brazil has some fascinating Christmas traditions, many of which originate in Portugal and have influenced the country since its Portuguese rule. Nativity scenes aka Presépio can be found across the country at Christmas time, set up as decorations in homes and churches. Christmas Eve in Brazil comprises of a later dinner followed by Midnight Mass - Missa Do Galo and the exchange of gifts and toasts. Many regions in Brazil host fireworks displays after Midnight Mass.

Santa in Brazil is called Papai Noel, who is said to travel from Greenland rather than the North Pole to come and give presents to children across the country. Merry Christmas in Brazil is Feliz Natal or Bom Natal (the Portuguese influence). Like the UK, Brazilian families often take part in Amigo Secreto, aka Secret Santa. Why not experience a tropical style Christmas in Brazil next year?

 
Do any of these traditions match up to yours?  Would you like to experience one for yourself and do things differently next year? We at Brightsun wish you a very merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year, and hope that you indulge as much as possible!

May 2024 bring you lots of happiness and positivity.