Hey everyone!

Christmas is a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration, and while the holiday is recognized worldwide, the ways it’s observed can differ greatly depending on the country. The cultural traditions, customs, and local flavors make Christmas a unique experience across the globe, as people infuse their own heritage into this festive occasion.

Bloom talked about the USA, and I thought it would be great to make an article talking about how other places on Earth celebrate Xmas as well!

In many European countries, the Advent season marks the start of the Christmas festivities. Germany, for instance, is famous for its traditional Christmas markets, where wooden stalls sell handcrafted gifts, mulled wine, and delicious treats like gingerbread and sausages. One of the highlights in German homes is the Advent wreath, with four candles representing the Sundays leading up to Christmas. On December 6th, St. Nicholas Day, children eagerly await small gifts left in their boots. Austria shares many of these customs but also introduces Krampus, a fearsome creature that accompanies St. Nicholas to scare naughty children into behaving.

Travel to Italy, and you’ll find that Christmas is closely tied to religious traditions. Families attend midnight Mass, and one of the most important decorations in every Italian home is the nativity scene, known as the "presepe." Some towns even host live nativity plays. Christmas Eve is celebrated with a feast called “La Vigilia,” which often features a seafood dinner, followed by the opening of presents at midnight. However, children in Italy also receive gifts from “La Befana,” a kind witch who delivers presents on Epiphany, the 6th of January.

In Scandinavia, Christmas celebrations are equally steeped in tradition. Sweden observes "St. Lucia's Day" on December 13th, where girls dress in white robes with candle-lit crowns to commemorate St. Lucia, the bringer of light. Meanwhile, in Norway and Denmark, families gather around the Christmas tree, singing carols and sharing meals featuring roast pork, potatoes, and rice pudding. Norwegians also have a unique custom of hiding their brooms on Christmas Eve to ward off evil spirits and witches, a practice that has been passed down through generations.

The Christmas season in Latin America is filled with color and community spirit. In Mexico, the “Posadas” are a central part of the celebration, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, complete with processions and songs. Fireworks and piñatas are also part of the festivities, with families coming together for "Nochebuena" (Christmas Eve), where tamales, bacalao, and romeritos are enjoyed. Across the region, people attend "Misa de Gallo" (Rooster’s Mass) at midnight, marking the arrival of Christmas Day.

In contrast, countries like Japan celebrate Christmas more as a secular holiday focused on light displays, gift-giving, and a meal of fried chicken, a tradition that started due to a successful marketing campaign by KFC. While Christmas isn’t a public holiday in Japan, it has become a time for couples to spend romantic evenings together, enjoying illuminations and special dinners.

Australia and New Zealand, located in the southern hemisphere, experience Christmas in the summer. Instead of snowy scenes, Australians celebrate with beach barbecues and picnics. Many families head outdoors to enjoy seafood feasts, and “Carols by Candlelight” events are popular in many cities, where people gather in parks to sing together. Santa even makes appearances dressed for the warm weather, sometimes trading in his sleigh for a surfboard!