Christmas traditions Christmas traditions vary from country to country. Elements common to many countries include the lighting of Christmas trees, the hanging of Advent wreaths, Christmas stockings, candy canes, and the creation of Nativity scenes depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas carols may be sung and stories told about such figures as the Baby Jesus, St Nicholas, Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Christkindl or Grandfather Frost. The sending of Christmas cards, the exchange of Christmastime greetings, observance of fasting and/or special religious observances such as a midnight Mass or Vespers on Christmas Eve, the burning of a Yule log, and the giving and receiving of presents. Along with Easter, Christmas time is one of the most important periods on the Christian calendar, and is often closely connected to other holidays at this time of year, such as Advent, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, St. Nicholas Day, St. Stephen's Day, New Year's, and the Feast of the Epiphany. Geographical variation South Africa Christmas in South Africa is a public holiday celebrated on 25 December. Many European traditions are maintained despite the distance from Europe. Christmas trees are set up in homes and the children are given presents in their stockings. Traditional 'fir' Christmas trees are popular and children leave a stocking out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. The gift bearer is Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
Christmas traditions vary from country to country. Elements common to many countries include the lighting of Christmas trees, the hanging of Advent wreaths, Christmas stockings, candy canes, and the creation of Nativity scenes depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas carols may be sung and stories told about such figures as the Baby Jesus, St Nicholas, Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Christkindl or Grandfather Frost.
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Christmas traditions
Christmas traditions vary from country to country. Elements common to many countries include the
lighting of Christmas trees, the hanging of Advent wreaths, Christmas stockings, candy canes, and
the creation of Nativity scenes depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas carols may be sung and
stories told about such figures as the Baby Jesus, St Nicholas, Santa Claus, Father Christmas,
Christkindl or Grandfather Frost. The sending of Christmas cards, the exchange of Christmastime
greetings, observance of fasting and/or special religious observances such as a midnight Mass or
Vespers on Christmas Eve, the burning of a Yule log, and the giving and receiving of presents. Along
with Easter, Christmas time is one of the most important periods on the Christian calendar, and is
often closely connected to other holidays at this time of year, such as Advent, the Feast of the
Immaculate Conception, St. Nicholas Day, St. Stephen's Day, New Year's, and the Feast of the
Epiphany.
Geographical variation
South Africa
Christmas in South Africa is a public holiday celebrated on 25 December. Many European traditions
are maintained despite the distance from Europe.
Christmas trees are set up in homes and the children are given presents in their stockings.
Traditional 'fir' Christmas trees are popular and children leave a stocking out for Santa Claus on
Christmas Eve. The gift bearer is Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
The Christmas meal is mince pies, turkey roast beef or a barbecue outdoors. The meal is finished
with Christmas Pudding. Christmas Crackers are used to make noise
Nigeria
Christmas Day is a public holiday in Nigeria which is always marked by the emptying of towns and
cities as Nigerians that have been successful returning to their ancestral villages to be with family
and to bless those less fortunate. As the towns and cities empty, people jam the West African
markets to buy and transport live chickens, goats and cows that will be needed for the Christmas
meals.
On Christmas Eve, traditional meals are prepared according to the traditions of each region. Rather
than having sweets and cakes, Nigerians as a whole tend to prepare various meats in large
quantities. In the south, a dish called Jollof rice is served with stews of various meats along with
boiled beans and fried plantains; in the north, Rice and Stew as well as Tuwon Shinkafa, a rice
pudding served with various meat stews, is preferred. In the North several local desserts are also
made which is hardly ever found in other parts of Nigeria. An alternative in both regions (but more
favored in the south) is a pepper soup with fish, goat, or beef which may also be served with Fufu
(pounded yam). Served with this food are an array of mainly alcoholic drinks such as the traditional
palm wine or various local and imported beers and wines; children and women may be served locally
made soft-drink equivalents instead.
Gift giving in Nigeria often involves money and the flow of gifts from the more fortunate to the less
so. After the "successful" visitors have come from their towns, cities, and even overseas, they are
given time to settle in. Afterwards, local relatives begin approaching them asking for assistance of
some kind, whether financial or not. Financial donations and elaborately wrapped gifts may be given
out at lavish parties, weddings, and ceremonies; sometimes the money is scattered in the air to be
grabbed by the others or stuck onto the sweaty foreheads of those dancing.
Religion in Nigeria is about equally divided between Christian and Islam. There are occasional
outbreaks of religious conflict. The Islamic sect Boko Haram has attacked Christian churches with
bombings on Christmas 2011.
Ethiopia
Christmas Day in Ethiopia is celebrated on January 7.
India
Christmas decorations for sale
Being a British colony until 1947, many British traditions stayed on in India. Christmas is a state
holiday in India, although Christianity in India is a minority with only 2.3% (of 1.237 Billion) of the
population. Most of the Christians in India attend the church. Many Christian houses in India
decorates Christmas cribs and distribute sweets and cakes to their neighbors. In many of the schools
that are run by the Christian missionaries, the children actively participate in the programmes. Also
in many non-religious schools, there is tradition of Christmas celebration. Christmas is also
increasingly celebrated by other religions in India. Christmas is known as "Badaa Din" (Big Day) in
North and North-West India.
Pakistan
Christianity in Pakistan constitutes the second largest religious minority community in Pakistan after
Hindus. The total number of Christians is approximately 2,800,000 in 2008, or 1.6% of the
population. Of these, approximately half are Roman Catholic and half Protestant. Christians
celebrate Christmas by going from house to house singing carols, and in return the family offers
something to the choir. Mostly the money collected from such carols is used for charity works or is
given to the church. Their homes are decorated with local Christmas handicrafts while artificial stars
signifying the Star of Bethlehem are hung on rooftops. Christmas celebrations are also popular with
the urban middle class in the country with hotels, cafes, restaurants and theme parks hosting
festivities and special events.
East Asia
China
Christmas 2012 in China
In China, December 25 is not a legal holiday. However, it is still designated as a public holiday in
China's special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, both former colonies of Western
powers with (nominal) Christian cultural heritage.
In the mainland, the small percentage of Chinese citizens who consider themselves Christians
unofficially, and usually privately, observe Christmas. Many other individuals celebrate Christmas-
like festivities even though they do not consider themselves Christians. Many customs, including
sending cards, exchanging gifts, and hanging stockings are very similar to Western celebrations.
Commercial Christmas decorations, signs, and other symbolic items have become increasingly
prevalent during the month of December in large urban centres of mainland China, reflecting a
cultural interest in this Western phenomenon, and, sometimes, retail marketing campaigns as well.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, where Christmas is a public holiday, many buildings facing Victoria Harbour will be
decked out in Christmas lights. Christmas trees are found in major malls and other public buildings,
and in some homes as well, despite the small living area. Catholics in Hong Kong can attend
Christmas Mass.
Japan
Santa Claus in Kobe, Japan
Encouraged by commerce, the secular celebration of Christmas is popular in Japan, though
Christmas is not a national holiday. Gifts are sometimes exchanged. Christmas parties are held
around Christmas Day; Japanese Christmas cake, a white sponge cake covered with cream and
decorated with strawberries, is often consumed and Stollen cake, either imported or made locally,
is widely available. Christmas lights decorate cities, and Christmas trees adorn living areas and malls.
Christmas Eve has become a holiday for couples to spend time together and exchange gifts. A
successful advertising campaign in the 1970s made eating at KFC around Christmas a national
custom. Its chicken meals are so popular during the season that stores take reservations months in
advance.
Christmas lights in Tokyo
The first recorded Christmas in Japan was a Mass held by Jesuit Missionaries in Yamaguchi
Prefecture in 1552. Some believe that unrecorded celebrations were held before this date, starting
in 1549 when Saint Francis Xavier arrived in Japan. Christianity was banned throughout Japan in
1612. However, a small enclave of Kakure Kirishitan ("hidden Christians") continued to practice
underground over the next 250 years.
Christianity in Japan along with Christmas reemerged in the Meiji period. Influenced by America,
Christmas parties were held and presents were exchanged. The practice slowly spread, but its
proximity to the New Year's celebrations makes it a smaller focus of attention. During World War II,
all celebrations, especially American, were suppressed. From the 1960s, with an expanding
economy, and influenced by American TV, Christmas became popular. Many songs and TV series
present Christmas as romantic, for example "Last Christmas" by Exile. The birthday of the current
emperor, Akihito, on December 23 is a national holiday. Businesses soon close for the New Year's
holidays, reopening after January 3.
Southeast Asia
Malaysia
Main article: Christianity in Malaysia § Christmas
Colourful Christmas greetings in Malaysia
Although Christmas is a public holiday in Malaysia, much of the public celebration is commercial in
nature and has no overt religious overtones. Occasionally, Christian activist groups do buy
newspaper advertorials on Christmas or Easter but this is largely only allowed in English newspapers
and permission is not given every year. The advertorials themselves are usually indirect statements.
There has been controversy over whether or not the national government has exerted pressure on
Malaysian Christians not to use Christian religious symbols and hymns that specifically mention
Jesus Christ.
Philippines
Main article: Christmas in the Philippines
Parols are an iconic display in the Philippines during its long Christmas season
Christmas in the Philippines, one of two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia (the other one
being East Timor), is one of the biggest holidays on the calendar and is widely celebrated. The
country has earned the distinction of celebrating the world's longest Christmas season, with
Christmas carols heard as early as September 1. The season is traditionally ushered in by the nine-
day dawn Masses that start on December 16. Known as the Misas de Aguinaldo (Gift Masses) or
Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass) in the traditional Spanish. These Masses are more popularly known
in Tagalog as the Simbang Gabi. Usually, aside from the already legal holidays which are Rizal Day
(December 30) and New Year's Eve (December 31), other days in close proximity such as Christmas
Eve (December 24), Niños Inocentes (December 28), and the Epiphany (traditionally, January 6 but
now on the first Sunday of January) are also declared non-working days.
As in many East Asian countries, secular Christmas displays are common both in business
establishments and in public, including lights, Christmas trees, depictions of Santa Claus despite the
tropical climate, and Christmas greetings in various foreign languages and various Philippine
languages. Occasionally such displays are left in place even in summer for example the parol
representing the "Star of Bethlehem" which led the Three Kings to the newborn Baby Jesus.
The University of Santo Tomas – UST Main Building illuminating the nights of December 2007
For Filipinos, Christmas Eve (Tagalog: Bisperas ng Pasko ; Spanish: Víspera del Día de Navidad) on
December 24 is celebrated with the Midnight Mass, and immediately after, the much-anticipated
Noche Buena – the traditional Christmas Eve feast. Family members dine together around 12
midnight on traditional Nochebuena fare, which may include: queso de bola (English: "ball of
cheese"; this is actually edam cheese), tsokolate (a hot chocolate drink), and jamón (Christmas ham),
lechón, roast chicken or turkey, pasta, relleno (stuffed bangus or chicken), pan de sal, and various
desserts including cakes and the ubiquitous fruit salad. Some would also open presents at this time.
On December 31, New Year's Eve (Tagalog: Bisperas ng Bagong Taon ; Spanish: Víspera del Año
Nuevo), Filipino families gather for the Media Noche or midnight meal – a feast that is also supposed
to symbolize their hopes for a prosperous New Year. In spite of the campaign against firecrackers,
many Filipinos still see these as the traditional means to greet the New Year. The loud noises and
sounds of merrymaking are also supposed to drive away bad spirits. Safer methods of merrymaking
include banging on pots and pans and blowing on car horns. Folk beliefs also include encouraging
children to jump at the stroke of midnight in the belief that they will grow up tall, displaying circular
fruit and wearing clothes with dots and other circular designs to symbolize money, eating twelve
grapes at 12 midnight for good luck in the twelve months of the year, and opening windows and
doors during the first day of the New Year to let in good luck.
Christmas officially ends on the Feast of the Three Kings (Tres Reyes in Spanish or Tatlong Hari in
Tagalog), also known as the Feast of the Epiphany (Spanish: Fiesta de Epifanía). The Feast of the
Three Kings was traditionally commemorated on January 6 but is now celebrated on the first Sunday
after the New Year. Some children leave their shoes out, in the belief that the Three Kings will leave
gifts like candy or money inside. But the celebrations do not end there, since 2011, as mandated by
the Catholic Church, they are on the second Sunday of January in honor of the Lord Jesus's baptism
in the Jordan. The final salvo of these celebrations is marked by the feast of the Black Nazarene
every January 9 in Manila and Cagayan de Oro, but can also, due to the celebrations in honor of the
Santo Niño in the third and fourth Sundays of January in some places, can even extend till the final
weeks of that month.
Singapore
Christmas in Singapore
Christmas is a public holiday in Singapore that is widely celebrated. The Christmas season is also a
popular period for shopping centres and business to conduct year-end sales, and will offer discounts
and promotions that tie in with the festivities. The famous Singaporean shopping belt Orchard Road,
as well as the Marina Bay area will feature lights and other decorations from early November till
early January (the 2012 part is 10 November 2012 all the way until 6 January 2013). The Christmas
light-up and decorated shopping malls along Orchard Road often attract numerous visitors, locals
and tourists alike. Other than the light-up, other activities such as caroling, concerts and parades
can also be experienced in Orchard Road. In addition, companies in Singapore usually arrange gift
exchange programs on the last working day before Christmas.
Southwest Asia - Eastern Mediterranean
Lebanon
Christmas is an official holiday in Lebanon. All Lebanese celebrate Christmas on December 25 except
for the Armenian Lebanese who celebrate it on the Epiphany on January 6 which is also an official
holiday in Lebanon. On Christmas Eve, Christian Lebanese attend midnight mass. Santa Claus is
known by the French, Papa Noël. Gifts are either dropped off at church or Papa Noël makes a
personal appearance at the home.
America
North America
Christmas is observed widely on December 25. Governments recognizing the holiday include those
of: the United States, where it is a federal holiday for federal employees and a legal holiday in the
respective States; Canada, where it is a nationwide statutory holiday; Mexico, where it is also a
nationwide statutory holiday; and several others.
good christmas gifts for boyfriend
Canada
Christmas in Ottawa, Canada
In the Canadian provinces where English is the predominant language, Christmas traditions are
largely similar to those of the United States, with some lingering influences from the United
Kingdom and newer traditions brought by immigrants from other European countries. Mince pies,
plum pudding and Christmas cake are traditionally served in English Canada as Christmas dinner
desserts, following the traditional meal of roast turkey, stuffing, potatoes and winter vegetables.
Christmas table crackers are not uncommon in English-speaking Canada. In some parts of
Newfoundland and Nova Scotia Christmas traditions include mummers.
North American influences on Christmas are evident in the hanging of stockings on Christmas Eve,
to be filled by Santa Claus. However, Canadian children believe that the home of Santa Claus is
located at the North Pole, in Canada, and through Canada Post address thousands of letters to Santa
Claus each year, using the postal code designation "HOH OHO", a play on Canada's six digit postal
code that includes letters and numbers. Decorated Christmas trees, either fresh cut or artificial,
introduced to Canada in 1781 originally by German soldiers stationed in Quebec during the
American Revolution, are now common in private homes and commercial spaces throughout most
of Canada.
As Canada is a cold, dark country in winter, lights are often put up in public places, and on
commercial and residential buildings in November and December. Many communities have
celebrations that include light events, such as the Cavalcade of Lights Festival in Toronto, the
Montreal Christmas Fireworks or the Bright Nights in Stanley Park, Vancouver. A national program,
Christmas Lights Across Canada, illuminates Ottawa, the national capital, and the 13 provincial and
territorial capitals.
In the east-central Canadian province of Quebec and other French-speaking areas of North America,
Christmas traditions include réveillon, Père Noël ("Father Christmas") and the bûche de Noël (Yule
log), among many others. A traditional dish for the réveillon is tourtière, a savoury meat pie, and
gifts are opened during réveillon, often following Midnight Mass.