Not everyone celebrates Christmas in the same way. Yes, there are many points in common, such as meeting with family and friends, giving gifts, especially to the little ones in the house, decorating houses and streets, and eating special foods.
In the Philippines, Christmas lasts several months , more specifically those ending in –bre, that is, September, October, November and December. Since September 1st you can hear Christmas carols and the streets are decorated with lights and Christmas decorations.
Many kilometers from Philippine lands, in Central Europe, there is a somewhat dark tradition within how bright Christmas is supposed to be and it is the night of Krampus , or Krampusnach, in German. That night, before December 6, a demonic being with a goat’s body and large horns goes out into the street in search of children who have misbehaved, whips them with a birch branch and takes them to the underworld.
One of the big days of Finnish Christmas is December 13, when Saint Lucia’s Day is celebrated. On this day, the oldest girls in the family dress in a white tunic and put a crown of candles on their heads. In this way they serve the family buns, cookies, coffee and mulled wine. On Christmas Eve, the typical thing is to go to the sauna accompanied by family and to the cemetery, to remember loved ones who are no longer here.
Christmas Eve dinner is well known for being excessive. Almost all of us eat and drink more than necessary. In Poland, tradition mandates serving twelve dishes in honor of the twelve apostles and in the most traditional homes no meat is eaten that day . It is also common practice to leave an empty chair, a plate and some cutlery. This is done to welcome those who have nowhere to spend Christmas Eve, a nice gesture of hospitality that complies with the Polish proverb that says “Gosc w dom, Bóg w dom”, “A guest at home, God at home”. Also, a way to remember the people who are no longer with us.
Japan is not exactly known for its Christmas celebrations and only 2% of its population is Christian. A tradition that has become established in recent times is getting together with the family on Christmas Day to eat fried chicken from Kentucky Fried Chicken . In this country, Christmas Day is more of a romantic day to celebrate as a couple.
Did you know that in Belgium and the Netherlands their “ Santa Claus ” comes from Spain? That’s right, and Sinterklaas, the equivalent of Santa Claus, but dressed as a bishop, comes from Spain to distribute gifts to children. He is accompanied by Pedro el Negro, with dark skin and Moorish clothing, who gives sweets and candies to the little ones.
Would you like to know more about how Christmas is celebrated outside our borders? Don’t miss the photo gallery below!
The long Philippine Christmas
In the Philippines, Christmas is celebrated during all the months ending in –bre, that is, September, October, November and December. From the beginning of September the streets are decorated with decorations and Christmas lights and the celebration can last until Valentine’s Day itself. The most popular decoration in those parts is the parol, a lantern that symbolizes the star that guides the Three Wise Men and is placed in the windows of the houses.
The Santa Claus who comes from Spain
Christmas in the Netherlands and Belgium has a clear protagonist: Sinterklaas, the equivalent of Santa Claus but dressed as a bishop. Sinterklaas comes from Spain to distribute gifts to the children, along with his assistant Zwarte Piet or Black Peter, with dark skin and Moorish-style clothing, who gives out sweets and candies.
Sailboats instead of Christmas trees
In Greece, and especially on the islands, it is tradition to decorate with sailboats instead of Christmas trees. An example is the wooden model in the image.
Krampus, the demon who punishes children
Krampus is a type of demon with a goat’s body and enormous horns typical of Central European folklore. This terrifying being punishes children who have misbehaved. He would be the opposite of Santa Claus. According to tradition, Krampus whips children with a birch rod and takes them to the underworld. This happens during Krampusnacht, the night of Krampus, the night before December 6.
Christmas on the beach
In Australia Christmas takes place in summer. The typical thing is to celebrate it by having a barbecue on the beach. On the menu: prawns, lobsters and sweets.
Eating fried chicken from KFC in Japan
Japan is not exactly known for its Christmas celebrations. A curious custom that seems to be here to stay is getting together with the family on Christmas Day to eat fried chicken from Kentucky Fried Chicken.
In Finland you go to the sauna
In Finland it is very typical to go to the sauna with the family on Christmas Eve. He also goes to the cemetery, to remember those who are no longer here.
In Poland they eat 12 dishes on Christmas Eve
In Poland it is tradition to dine on twelve courses on Christmas Eve, one for each apostle. In more traditional homes, meat is off the menu. In addition, a free chair, plate and cutlery are usually left to accommodate those who have nowhere to dine that night.