BY THE MOG CHRONICLE TEAM

Most of us celebrate Christmas, but do you ever wonder how it’s celebrated in other countries? Here at the Mog Chronicle, we are giving you a whistlestop tour of some of the different ways people around the world mark the festive season.

GERMANY 

In Germany there is no Santa Claus but instead a creature called the Christkindl who gives families gifts on Christmas Eve.

A common German tradition is to lock the tree (A Tannenbaum) and the gifts in a room.

Did you know that the concept of having a Christmas tree originated in Germany?

NORWAY

On the evening of Christmas Eve most Norwegians gather for a traditional meal and the opening of presents and sometimes Father Christmas will pay them a visit.

Their version of Santa Claus is a short, gnome-like creature who has a long, white beard and a red cap. It is called a Julenisse. 

One of Norway’s traditions is celebrating the winter solstice because it is the reawakening of nature. Another tradition is storytelling and the Norwegians love to tell folklore tales.

The traditional Christmas food in Norway is lutefisk which is a dish of cod soaked in rye as well as roasted pork belly. Norwegians also eat a hot rice pudding called risengrynsgrot which often has toppings such as sugar, butter, cinnamon and cinnamon sugar.

IRELAND

Santa Claus is called Daidí na Nollag (Daddy of Christmas) in Irish. He can also be known as Santy and brings presents to children all across Ireland, which are opened on Christmas morning. In Ireland, it is tradition to leave a mince pie for Santa along with a glass or bottle of Guinness (hah!) and, of course, a carrot for Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer .

JAPAN

In Japan, Christmas is celebrated by people having parties with their friends and family. They also eat KFC on Christmas instead of a roast dinner.

Although Christmas is celebrated, it is not a public holiday, so most people work on Christmas Day.

FRANCE

The French usually celebrate the festive season with a family gathering on Christmas Eve which carries on to the following day. Unlike in the UK, the big Christmas meal will mostly consist of delicious sea food including delicacies like oysters and crevettes (shrimp). The French also like to tuck into traditional foie gras and boudin blanc (French sausage)!

VIETNAM

The Vietnamese Santa Claus is called Ông già Noel and his mode of transport is a motorbike which is hired by parents to hand-deliver gifts to their children.

Although Christmas is no longer a national holiday in Vietnam, it still remains one of the four main religious festivals celebrated in the country.


CHRISTMAS ISLAND

The most apt place to celebrate Christmas in the world must be Christmas Island. It was named on 25 December 1643 which made Christmas an extra-cool event around town. On the island, residents have light displays, sing carols by candlelight and, of course, loads of parties before Santa himself pays them a visit.

POLAND

Poland’s biggest celebration is on Christmas Eve when families and friends gather around the table for a huge feast. The traditional Christmas dishes in Poland consist of carp, a type of fish, herring, pierogis and a poppy seed cake called a makowiec. After dinner, people will start handing out presents and singing carols. Poland really loves its Christmas carols and there are thousands of them.

SWITZERLAND

In Switzerland it is tradition to only unveil their decorated tree on Christmas Eve. Presents are typically swapped after dinner and for children, presents are typically given by the Christ child. Many Swiss eat fondue or raclette at Christmas.

BRAZIL

In Brazil, Christmas Eve is the main event of the holiday season. More than half the population is Catholic so many Brazilians will attend midnight mass on December 24. They will exchange gifts and celebrate with large family gatherings.

AUSTRALIA

In Australia, Christmas comes in the middle of the summer so they celebrate with beach barbecues. But of course there is always time for carols by candlelight and plenty of festive decorations. Sounds fun!

ITALY

One of Italy’s most iconic Christmas traditions is the Presepe or nativity scene. The custom is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi who in 1223 created the first living nativity scene in Greccio to help bring the Christmas story to life for the people.

ENGLAND

Every Christmas, Brits love to head to the theatre to watch pantomimes or meet their school friends at the pub. They also eat Yorkshire puddings, mince pies, Christmas pudding, and Christmas cake.

SCOTLAND

In Scotland, you’ll see Christmas trees lighting up people’s houses and wreaths on the front door. People put presents under the tree and leave mince pies for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve.

LITHUANIA

Families gather from near and far to share a special Christmas Eve dinner with close relatives. Tradition calls for twelve, meat-free dishes to be prepared, and everyone is encouraged to taste each one. So, in a way it’s like a tasting menu. Why twelve and not eleven or even fifteen?

MEXICO

Christmas is huge in Mexico and there are candlelit processions, elaborate nativity scenes, Spanish Christmas carols, dancing and fireworks. Tamales, pozore, and many more items are cooked up during the holiday. They call Santa Claus ‘Santon Clos’.

PHILLIPINES

In the Phillipines they celebrate Christmas the most! They count down from September (even though there’s never any snow). Santa is called Santa R-Kayma Klaus. They hang up Christmas trees and it’s a big family affair with noodles, spring rolls, ground pork, stuffed chicken and desert.

CHINA

In China, people hang out with friends to go out to a movie, karaoke bar or go shopping with their friends. The traditional Christmas meal is dumplings, roast pork, spring rolls, and rice.

SWEDEN

In Sweden, a yule goat made of straw and bound in red ribbon is a popular Christmas decoration. For a Christmas Eve dinner they have traditional food like ham, pickled herring and rice porridge. Sweden also has an evil father Christmas also known as ‘’ Tomten ‘’ who is 3 feet tall and looks like a demonic garden gnome in a pointy red hat who demands porridge on the condition that he brings you presents.


INDIA

All the way on the other side of the world in India, the churches are decked out in vibrant poinsettias and sparkling candles , lighting up the mood. Afterwards, there is a massive feast which is spent with friends and family. Now that sounds extremely fun!

TRINIDAD

Trinidad truly has the Christmas spirit. On December 25, both kids and adults go from house to house between neighbours, friends and relatives for delicious food and drinks. There is also an annual pilgrimage to church on Christmas Eve to celebrate Midnight Mass. People feast on Christmas rice, macaroni pie, stewed beans, veggie as well a ham, turkey and chicken.

UKRAINE

On Christmas eve, Ukrainians go ‘’Koladyvaty’’ which means they carry a star structure while singing carols such as the famous ‘’ Carol of Bells ‘’ in order to get food or yummy treats such as ‘’ Pranyk’’ which is a sugary biscuit .

If you know other ways that Christmas is celebrated around the world, let us know at mogchronicle@gmail.com !