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Christmas Traditions

by Alexis Savage

Cultural and family traditions are one of the best and most interesting parts of the holiday season. Most people are familiar with American traditions, such as decorating sugar cookies, watching a Christmas Story and opening one present on Christmas Eve. However, Christmas is celebrated all over the world and many cultures have their own unique traditions. We’ve scoured the globe and brought you best from around the world.

Our journey begins across the Atlantic in Nigeria. Approximately half of the population of Nigeria is Christian, making Christmas a major holiday. Nigerian Christmas is one of the least commercial celebrations in the world focusing instead on family and giving back. Successful Nigerians living in the cities and towns make a pilgrimage to their ancestral homes. It is a time of feasting and generosity. Gifts and money are presented to the less fortunate, sometimes by throwing money onto groups of dancers who grab it out of the air. A dish called Jollof Rice, a stew made with a variety of meats, is purchased in the cities by family members and served with local alcoholic beverages or homemade soda.

Christmas in Japan is quite the opposite. Christmas is not considered a national holiday, and is largely a secular and commercial celebration. However, the practice of celebrating Christmas does have religious roots. It has been traced to Jesuit missionaries during the 16th Century. Though Christmas is largely overshadowed by the more prominent New Year’s celebration, Japan has adopted the American consumer culture of gift giving. The most interesting tradition by far is KFC Christmas dinner. As a result of an ad campaign in the 1970s, fried chicken has become the unofficial Christmas dinner. Japanese KFC restaurants take reservations for Christmas months in advance.

Germany has some of the oldest Christmas traditions. St. Nicholas, is the inspiration for the international Santa Claus. In Germany, however, he arrives on the 6th of December to put candies and small gifts in the shoes of well-behaved children. The Christkind, a mythical sprit, traditionally delivers the presents on Christmas, however it is not uncommon for “Santa Claus” to do this today. The Christmas tree itself is widely attributed to German culture. Unlike the United States, the German Christmas Tree is generally decorated on Christmas Eve by parents. After Christmas service or dinner, one of the parents will light the tree and ring a bell informing the children it is time to see the tree. Thanks to Martin Luther, gifts are traditionally opened on Christmas Eve to allow for a more religious focus on Christmas Day.

Christmas in Norway is a beautiful combination of the Pagan Yule celebration and Christian Christmas. As the birthplace of the Yule log, it is only appropriate that it be a central piece of Norwegian celebration. Cheeses, cakes, and other traditional Christmas dishes are shaped like the Yule log. The burning begins in early December and is continued throughout the holiday season. A more modern tradition is that of watching Christmas television. This includes films such as the Nutcracker and Three Nuts for Cinderella. In between Boxing Day and New Years, Norwegian children dress up and sing carols for candy and other treats, much like American Halloween.

For Australians Christmas comes in the summer. As a result, Christmas is generally a time of extended vacation for schools and a break from hobbies and organized activities. Christmas celebrations are combined with end-of-year parties. Christmas cards, however, are one of the most popular traditions. The post office even prints discounted stamps for the occasion. Two of Australia’s largest sporting events occur during this time, The Boxing Day cricket test match and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Many traditions are similar to those in the US and UK, but with an Australian twist. Christmas dinner may include barbeque and Santa is sometimes depicted in sandals with a sleigh pulled by Kangaroos!

Despite it’s close proximity to the United States, Mexico has remarkably different Christmas traditions. The Christmas season runs from December 12, beginning with the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, to January 6th and combines indigenous, Spanish, German and American customs. The Nativity Scene is the most important decoration in Mexican Christmas. It is set up early in December and remains though January. The baby Jesus is place in the manger on December 25th to represent his birth. The time period from December 16 to December 24 is referred to as Los Posadas. During this time, families travel around the community looking for “shelter” in the same manner as Joseph and Mary. While there are many variations to Los Posadas, most include carols, a feast and a piñata for the children. Christmas Eve is the main day of celebration. Families attend The Mass of the Rooster at midnight followed by fireworks and a traditional Christmas feast. On December 28th the celebration continues marked by Los Santos Innocents, a day of pranks similar to April Fools Day and meant to commemorate the day King Harrod killed all male children. The celebration culminates on January 6th with Three Kings’ Day. Children write notes to the Three Kings to explain why they were bad or good that year. If they are good they will receive small gifts in their shoes.

Christmas Traditions vary across cultures. Some focus on the commercial and some the religious. However all cultures place importance on sharing the season with the people you love. No matter where you are and what your traditions, BerkshireStyle hopes you have a wonderful holiday filled with happiness and love!

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