In America, people celebrate Christmas by putting up Christmas trees, hanging bright lights, and singing Christmas carols. However, families in Australia usually spend their time barbecuing, playing cricket, or spending time at the beach during the hot summer weather. Christmas may represent the spirit of togetherness and family for people all across the world, but
Christmas represents the spirit of togetherness and family for people all across the world, who commemorate it in many different ways, from decorating trees to customs like eating KFC in Japan on Christmas day.
Japan
In Japan, Christmas is not a major holiday, but people celebrate it in a fun, festive, and unique way. Many major cities like Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki are decorated with bright lights and winter displays. People exchange small gifts to show kindness and respect, and couples often enjoy extravagant, romantic meals at fancy restaurants on Christmas Eve. One of Japan’s most unique traditions is eating KFC on Christmas Day. Families gather either at home or at the restaurant to enjoy a special “Christmas dinner” at KFC together.
Austria
In Austria, Christmas is deeply traditional and begins weeks prior to Christmas with the season of Advent. Families prepare by using Advent calendars and lighting candles on an Advent wreath each Sunday. December 5 in Austria is known as Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night, when the devilish, horned creature of Alpine folklore parades through towns to punish naughty children. During this event, costumed individuals known as Krampus roam the streets, scaring people all night, ahead of St. Nicholas’ feast day on December 6. As Christmas gets closer, Austrian towns open Christkindlmarkts, or Christmas markets, where people enjoy roasted chestnuts, gingerbread, and warm drinks. Austrians celebrate Christmas on December 24th, known as Heilige Abend. Families decorate their Christmas tree that evening with gold and silver ornaments, straw stars, and candles. A traditional Christmas Eve dinner often includes baked or fried carp, which is believed to bring good luck. Many families also sing “Silent Night,” the famous carol that originated in Austria in 1818.
Spain
In Spain, Christmas is a joyful and family centered celebration filled with traditions that start from December all the way into early January. On Christmas Eve, known as Nochebuena, families come together for a large meal that often includes seafood, roasted lamb, or turkey. Many people then attend La Misa del Gallo, or Midnight Mass, which is named “The Mass of the Rooster.” Throughout the season, groups also sing traditional Spanish carols called “villancicos” in the streets. Spanish homes are often decorated with nativity scenes, called belenes, which are more traditional than Christmas trees. One of Spain’s most famous holiday events is El Gordo, the Christmas Lottery, which is the biggest lottery drawing of the year. When New Year’s Eve arrives, people eat twelve grapes, one for each chime of the clock at midnight, to bring good luck for the upcoming year. The holiday season continues until January 6th, which is Three Kings’ Day or Reyes Magos. This is the main day for gift giving in Spain. On the night of January 5th, cities hold colorful parades called Cabalgatas, where the Three Kings throw candy to children. Families also enjoy Roscón de Reyes, a ring shaped cake with hidden surprises inside. Whoever finds the baby Jesus figurine gets good luck, while the person who finds the bean must buy next year’s cake.
Sweden
In Sweden, Christmas is a peaceful, relaxing and festive holiday that starts with Advent, marked by lighting candles and hanging paper stars in windows. On December 13th, Swedes celebrate Lucia Day, when children and adults dress in white gowns, and the “Lucia” wears a crown of candles to symbolize light in the dark winter. Families bake traditional treats like saffron buns (lussekatter) and gingerbread cookies, and enjoy fika, a social gathering with hot drinks and pastries. The main celebration occurs on Christmas Eve (Julafton), when families gather for a Julbord, or Christmas buffet, featuring ham, meatballs, pickled herring, and a potato and anchovy dish called Jansson’s frestelse. At 3 p.m., many Swedes watch a Disney special called “From All of Us to All of You,” and after the meal, Santa Claus, or Jultomte, often appears to hand out presents. Christmas Day is quieter, with some attending early church services called Julotta and families singing and dancing around the tree. The holiday season officially ends on January 13th, St. Knut’s Day, when the Christmas tree is taken down.
Philippines
Christmas in the Philippines is famous for being the longest holiday season in the world, starting in September during the and lasting until early January. Filipinos celebrate with bright star shaped lanterns called parols, which decorate homes, streets, and schools. A series of pre dawn church masses called Simbang Gabi is held from December 16 to December 24, and attending all nine is believed to grant a Christmas wish. On Christmas Eve, families gather for a large feast called Noche Buena, featuring dishes like lechon (roasted pig), pancit (noodles), and lumpia (spring rolls). Gift giving is an important part of the holiday, including the tradition of aguinaldo, where children receive money or presents from elders, and Monito Monita, a Filipino version of Secret Santa. Family and faith are central to the celebrations, with children showing respect through the mano po gesture when visiting relatives.
In conclusion, Christmas is celebrated in many unique and meaningful ways across the world. From America’s festive decorations and carols, to Australia’s summer barbecues and beach traditions, Japan’s KFC dinners, Austria’s Krampusnacht and Advent rituals, Spain’s Three Kings’ Day celebrations, Sweden’s Julbord and Lucia Day, and the Philippines’ long holiday season with parols and Simbang Gabi, each country adds its own special customs. Despite these differences, all share the same christmas spirit of family, togetherness, and joy during the holiday season.
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