GQ | Volume 9, Issue 2 | Celebrating Across Continents

CELEBRATING ACROSS CONTINENTS

Unwrapping the history of Christmas traditions

Words Ella Dillinger

Christmas is a magical time of the year filled with exciting traditions. As young children,

we marveled at the thought of Santa and his elves delivering presents every Christmas Eve. Thoughts of Christmas magic and miracles captivated us. We often thought that everyone celebrated the same way we did, but in reality, Christmas traditions vary all around the world.

GERMANY

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Christkindlmarkts or Christmas markets are set up all over the country. These markets are filled with stalls selling handmade gifts and homemade food. Glühwein (mulled wine) is a traditional German drink sold at these markets to keep warm. On Christmas, German families hide a pickle-shaped ornament in the Christmas tree. The first child to find it is given an extra gift from St. Nicholas. On the night before St. Nicholas Day, children set out their shoes to be filled with sweets and little presents. That evening, St. Nicholas visits the children’s houses along with his companion Knecht Ruprecht. He is sometimes described as a malevolent old man with a brown beard and robe, who carries a stick and child-sized sack to put naughty children in. Other times, Knecht Ruprecht is depicted as a half-demon, half-goat creature with a long tongue. On Krampus Night, he goes from door-to-door, taking naughty children and putting them in his sack.

BRAZIL

Since Brazil is located in the southern hemisphere, Christmas happens in the summertime. Papi Noel is Brazil’s version of Santa Claus, but despite the name difference, he is quite similar to the American depiction of Santa. Children hang socks out the window so Papai Noel can exchange them for a present. Brazilians mostly celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. Celebrations are often done with the extended family, so most Brazilians participate in Amigo Secreto, a secret Santa-type gift exchange.

SWEDEN

A widely popular Christmas tradition in Sweden is St. Lucia’s Day. On December 13, young girls dress up as St. Lucia and sing carols. They wear a white dress with a red sash and a crown of candles. These girls deliver traditional baked goods such as lussekatter (saffron bread) and pepparkakor (ginger biscuits) to their families. Along with gifts from Santa Claus, gifts are also delivered by tomten or Christmas gnomes. These gnomes are grumpy and proud. According to Swedish legend, they might even kill you if you fail to provide their Christmas porridge. It is also believed that Santa rides a yule goat to deliver presents.

RUSSIA

Russian Christmas is celebrated on January 7 because the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar for religious holidays. Most of the festivities begin on New Year’s Eve. The traditional Santa figure, who wears blue and is pictured as tall and thin, is Ded Moroz or Grandfather Frost. Svyataki, the period of time between Christmas and Epiphany, is filled with fortune-telling and caroling. January 19, the day of Epiphany, honors Jesus’ baptism and is celebrated by jumping into the freezing rivers and lakes.

Design Alexandria Bussey

Graphics Jacob Goodman