Celebrating Christmas Around the World

Want to learn about different cultures and how they celebrate Christmas? Maybe, try implementing some of these fun traditions from around the world!
 

Argentina

Decorate your home with globos (floating lanterns) which fill the warm summer sky on Christmas Eve after midnight. 

Australia

Send Christmas greetings via the radio like the people that live in the outback! 

Austria

Top your Christmas tree with a star made from straw! 

Brazil

Leave a sock near the window like the children of Brazil and maybe it will be exchanged for a present by Papi Noel (Good Old Man). 

Canada

Single? Hold a Taffy Pull in honor of Saint Catherine (patron saint of single women) and meet some eligible men!

Czech Republic

Another one for the singles out there!  Throw a shoe over your shoulder on Christmas day, the superstition is if the toe points toward you then you are next to get married!

Denmark

Make sure you give back to mother nature and give the wild animals a treat on your Christmas Eve/day stroll!

France

Yule logs made out of cherrywood are sprinkled with red wine and burned in the fireplace to keep you warm as well as fill the air with a distinct Christmas smell.

Germany

Eat a piece of stollen which translates to a fruited yeast bread.

Greece

Display a giant three mast sailing boat decorated with Christmas lights as part of your decorations!

Mexico

Have a piñata!  Usually a spherical center with seven spikes representing the seven deadly sins. 

Netherlands

Instead of placing presents under the tree this year, ring the bell, leave the presents and run away!

Poland

Don’t wait for spring cleaning, instead, deep clean your house in preparation for Christmas day! 

Puerto Rico

Add arroz con dulce to your Christmas dessert list! 

Romania

Include someone dressed up as a goat in your caroling party!  

Russia

Include sauerkraut as your main meal!

Switzerland

Don’t forget the fondue at your Christmas parties! 

Venezuela

Get out those unused fireworks and set them off! 
 
Some Christmas traditions such as nativity scenes, caroling, and Christmas trees seem to be almost universal. Although each country has their own spin, you’re likely to find the in almost any place Christmas is widely celebrated. In places such as India where there is a small percentage of people who celebrate the holiday, they decorate mango and banana trees! However you choose to celebrate, we wish you a Merry Christmas.