Christmas Around the World: A Travel Journal

B Y : A I S H U S E N T H I L

Explore how Christmas is celebrated around the world

Introduction

Christmas is a time of tradition, celebration and family. But have you ever wondered what Christmas is like in other countries? Have you ever wondered how your Christmas might differ to someone else’s across the world? Christmas has many variations, and is more diverse than you think. The number of different Christmas celebrations and traditions are vast, This article will focus on just a few from different countries around the world.

Mexico

Mexico. One unique tradition that resides here are the Posada processions, which last from around December 16th to Christmas Eve. Posada is the Spanish word for inn or lodging, and is a fitting description for the procession that commemorates the Christian fable of Joseph and Mary searching for a place to stay in Bethlehem. During a Posada, children and adults go around the neighbourhood caroling and asking for quarters in the houses. As per custom, if they are refused any room, just as Joseph and Mary were, they would persist until they were eventually accepted into a house. A festive party usually follows, and often a pinata is broken as a means of celebration. A popular drink that Mexicans have during the Christmas season is Ponche Navideño, which is a warm fruit punch with tejocote fruit and cinnamon.

Egypt

Egypt. Only about 15% of Egyptians are Christians, hence, Christmas is not as widely celebrated. Most Christians are Coptic Orthodox. This particular branch of Christians celebrate Christmas in a slightly different way. One major change is that they celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January [like Ethiopia] rather than on the 25th of December. 43 days before their Christmas, Coptic Orthadox Christians conduct “the Holy Nativity Fast, wherein they do not eat anything that contains products from animals. On Coptic Christmas Eve, they attend a special liturgy (service) at 10:30 pm, followed by a big Christmas meal. On Orthdox Christmas Day, people come together for parties and festivities and often exchange ‘Kahks’, or special sweet biscuits as gifts. In Egypt, Santa Claus is called Baba Noel. Children often leave some kahk out for Baba Noel (Father Christmas/ Santa Claus)

The Netherlands

The Netherlands. The most important celebration here in December is not Christmas, but rather St. Nicholas Day which is celebrated on the 5th of December. The celebrations begin on the second Saturday of November, when St. Nicholas/ Santa Claus (called Sinterklaas there) arrives at a harbor and visits cities while delivering presents. Sinterklaas is believed to be living in Madrid, Spain rather than the North Pole, Each year, the location of the harbor changes in order for many children in the Netherlands to receive giifts and wishes..

He travels with his servants, called ‘Zwarte Pieten’, and usually leads a procession through the towns while riding on a white horse. On the evening that Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands, children leave a shoe out by the fireside or the window sill in hopes that Sinterklaas will leave them presents in the night, similar to how other countries have the tradition of hanging stockings on the fireplace. Many families believe that Sinterklaas makes a weekly visit until St. Nicholas Day, when he leaves the Netherlands by steamboat and travels back to Spain. The eve before his departure, called 'Sinterklaasavond' or 'Pakjesavond', parties are often held with treasure hunts and puzzles that lead to presents left by Sinterklaas. Common foods eaten at this party include the ‘letter blanket’ biscuit and the sweet ‘pepernoot’ biscuit. On St. Nicholas Day, it is common for surprise gifts to be exchanged.

Japan

Japan. Christmas here is not so much of a religious celebration as it is a joyful holiday. For example, a popular activity for people to do during the Christmas season is to visit Tokyo Disneyland and see all the decorations and parades. Christmas is not considered an official holiday. New Years Eve/ Day is the bigger holiday that is celebrated more like a traditional Western Christmas. Festivities include family reunions and special meals. Christmas Eve is perceived as a romantic time of the year, much like Valentine’s Day, wherein couples spend time with each other, exchange gifts, and often have a romantic dinner together in a restaurant. In terms of food, fried chicken is often eaten on Christmas, and it is customary for people to buy fried chicken from local fast food restaurants such as KFC. Another popular food during Christmas is the Japanese Christmas Cake, which is a sponge cake decorated with strawberries and whipped cream.