Every culture brings something of their own to Christmas – so the same holiday is never really the same… So how do people celebrate Christmas in different parts of the world? How is it celebrated where there is no snow? In Australia, Christmas time is usually celebrated with barbecues and gifts are often exclusive foods. And how is Christmas celebrated around the world? We all know about the rather kitschy USA way because of all the pop culture and media but there are other traditions that not many have heard about or we never think about:
In Ukraine, people decorate the Christmas tree with spiderwebs, which originates in old tales of silver spiderwebs. Their celebration begins when the first star shines at the sky and they bring in a sheaf of wheat or in the cities, a few stalks of wheat which symbolize the crops and are called “didukh” – “grandfather spirit”. They eat a special meal, called “sviata vechera” (holly dinner) with many delicacies. In Russia, a special porridge is eaten (called “kutya”) that has no meat because they fast before their Christmas on the 6th of January. In Finland, they eat porridge made of rice and milk, topped with cinnamon or butter (It’s delicious by the way – we eat it all the time;), they put an almond in it and whoever gets it wins. Parents nowadays usually put an almond into each child’s porridge so there are no hard feelings;) – I especially like this part of the tradition:) I can so relate;). Then they go to sauna together – which would be fine by me as well:).
In Finland, they have another one of my favourite Christmas traditions: on the 24th, everybody goes to the big book festival where they sell about 80% of books (80% of books they sell in a year is bought on this day – can you imagine?) They give each other books and go home and read the whole Christmas eve! Now, who’s down for that tradition? I know quite some people who’d be happy to celebrate like that and count me in!
In Scandinavia, things are less peaceful on Christmas eve – there are witches flying around so people used to all sleep in the same bed – the servants and the landowners and kids and everybody (can you imagine that?:D) In Norway, in particular, they still hide the brooms and all cleaning utensils so that the witches wouldn’t come to their house (I don’t quite get the logic – how does she get there, then? Why does she need another broom?;) but I can clearly see how a clever mother came up with this tradition – “I will not clean on the Christmas eve – I’ll tell them there are witches if there are brooms” :D…). In some places, they feed their gnomes/elves with porridge (sometimes it has to have a big piece of butter on it) and in Sweden, tomte just brings presents:).
In middle Europe, people go to the midnight mass and in the nativity, baby Jesus is placed into the manger; in Costa Rica, the same tradition is held but baby Jesus also brings presents on La Noche Buena (24th) while people are at the mass. In many Latin American countries, baby Jesus is the gift bearer and kids write to him how good they have been and what they wish for…
In Italy, people go to midnight mass but they also play tombola with family and friends – a very loud and merry tradition (like everything in Italy;)!
In Spain and Greece, kids go carolling to neighbours and get sweets or money in return. In Bulgaria, however, grown men do that.
In Scandinavia and german countries, the day traditionally begins when the sun goes down so the celebrations are always the night before the special day. Therefore it is customary in many European counties to decorate the Christmas tree on Christmas eve although many people do it before. In communist countries, people sometimes did it after Christmas – out of defiance to the church.
In families with kids, celebrations usually are a synonym for love, chaos and memories. I have found some interesting family traditions over the years like watching a Christmas movie together or sleeping underneath the tree – we adopted the latter but we do it on the 31st because that’s when our Grandpa Frost brings presents. The positive side effect is that the room is cleaned of the wrapping paper etc… enough to get a few yoga mats down for us to sleep on:). Do you celebrate Christmas and if yes, how? I’d love to know!
Very Arty Fairy 