Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated in over 160 countries around the world. However not every country celebrates it the same way, each country has their own traditions and their own way of celebrating Christmas.
In Spain, Christmas is a time for family, food and festivity with friends. The festivities for Christmas start on the 24th in the so-called “Nochebuena” (Christmas Eve), the families reunite and have a very big dinner together with seafood, lamb, turrón (a type of nougat), iberian ham,etc. The streets are adorned with lights and with belénes (nativity scenes). There are also a lot of Christmas markets. On Navidad (Christmas Day), many attend a Misa del Gallo (Midnight Mass). Christmas culminates with El Día de Reyes (Epiphany) on Jan. 6 when children receive gifts from the Three Kings.
In Austria, Germany and Czech Republic, they have St. Nicholas, who rewards nice children by leaving presents. They also have a Krampus, a creature that beats those who are naughty with branches and sticks. In some cases, he is said to eat them or take them to hell. On Dec. 6, St. Nicholas Day, children awake to find their gifts or nurse their injuries.
Also in Germany, the season begins with Advent, where many Germans use calendars filled with small gifts. On Christmas Eve, families enjoy a meal of bratwurst and sauerkraut, exchange gifts and decorate Christmas trees with ornaments and candles. Christkind delivers presents to children, similar to Santa Claus. Germany is also famous for its Christmas markets.
In the Czech Republic, Christmas combines religion and folklore. On Christmas Eve, families enjoy a meal of fried carp, potato salad and sweet bread called Vánočka. A fun tradition is keeping a live carp in the bathtub before preparing it for dinner. Some unmarried women also throw a shoe to predict when they will marry. Midnight Mass is important, and Christmas markets with handmade goods create a festive mood across the country.
Christmas in Australia happens in summer, so people celebrate with beach trips, barbecues and outdoor fun. They decorate with lights and trees. Their typical Christmas food includes seafood, ham and pavlova. Santa wears summer clothes and sometimes he even surfs, and people sing Christmas carols in the streets.
In the end it doesn’t matter the type of Christmas traditions that you have, the most important thing about Christmas is reuniting with family and friends and celebrating being loved and giving love.
