Christmas.
Traditions of Celebrating Christmas Around the World
In 145 countries worldwide, Christmas is the most significant national and religious holiday.
Christmas is considered a family celebration, so people try to gather together at a richly laid
table. However, each country has its own traditions and customs that are always observed
during Christmas.
Ukraine. Christmas Traditions
On January 6, at midnight, solemn services begin in churches. On January 7, it is
customary to greet friends and relatives on this bright holiday. In the Carpathians, it is
tradition to keep the doors of houses open so that anyone wishing to celebrate Christmas
and share festive joy can come in.
The traditional dinner on Christmas Eve is called "Sviatvechir," derived from the ritual food
eaten that day—kutia, a porridge made from red wheat, barley, rye, or buckwheat mixed with
honey, almond, and poppyseed milk.
Food on Christmas Eve cannot be consumed until the first star appears, symbolizing the
Star of Bethlehem, which announced the Savior's birth to the Magi. When evening falls and
the first star shines, the family prays together, sits at the Christmas table, and exchanges
greetings, wishing each other good and light.
With Christmas begins the "Koliada" season—festivities that last until the Eve of the
Epiphany and include mass celebrations, visits to relatives and friends, and masquerades. In
the Carpathians, it has long been customary to dress up in quirky costumes, organize fun
games, visit homes, awaken the sleepy and lazy, and greet everyone with the turning of the
sun toward summer and the birth of Christ. The caroling season traditionally ends with
collective entertainment and fun.
USA. Christmas Traditions
Americans love giving gifts to each other. They start placing them under a magnificent
Christmas tree throughout the week leading up to Christmas. On Christmas Eve, children
receive gifts from Santa Claus and leave him candies under the tree in case he gets hungry.
Residents of small towns often visit each other to sing Christmas carols.
Canada. Christmas Traditions
On the evening of December 24, children go to bed early, eager to receive gifts from Santa.
Meanwhile, adults return from Christmas services to enjoy a lavish festive dinner. On
Christmas Eve, theaters organize concerts of Christmas songs, where a festive atmosphere
reigns. Actors and audiences join together to sing and dance.
Norway. Christmas Traditions
In Norway, children eagerly await the start of special Christmas TV programs, spending the
entire morning watching cartoons. At 3 p.m., families typically attend festive church services.
Many also visit the graves of deceased relatives. In the evening, everyone gathers for a
celebratory dinner, after which the whole family holds hands and sings around the Christmas
tree. After the obligatory tea with cookies, everyone opens the gifts placed under the tree in
advance.
Austria. Christmas Traditions
Austrians traditionally celebrate Christmas with family. It is customary to decorate the tree
with chocolates and marmalade instead of ornaments. During the festive dinner, everyone
dresses in their finest outfits. That evening, front doors are left unlocked to welcome
relatives, friends, or acquaintances who may wish to join.
Spain. Christmas Traditions
Most Spaniards attend Christmas Mass. Before it begins, they gather outside the church to
dance hand in hand. After the service, many go to their favorite restaurants to celebrate
Christmas with family and friends.
Poland. Christmas Traditions
Visiting churches on Christmas Eve is a mandatory tradition, after which families dress
formally and gather for a festive dinner. Everyone shares opłatek—thin unleavened wafers
symbolizing unity. Traditionally, oats are placed in all four corners of the room where the
dinner takes place, hay is laid under the tablecloth, and extra table settings are placed in
memory of deceased family members. The family sings carols and reflects on the past year.
Czech Republic. Christmas Traditions
Czechs decorate Christmas trees on the evening of December 24, exchange gifts, and
enjoy a festive dinner together. After dinner, it is customary to perform apple divination. The
largest apple is cut across, and if a perfect star appears inside, the coming year will be
successful.
Bulgaria. Christmas Traditions
Preparations for Christmas in Bulgaria start early. Women bake bread and prepare the
festive meal, while men slaughter a pig. The head of the household chooses a thick log for
the Christmas bonfire, symbolizing the "newborn God." When bringing the log inside, he
asks, “Do you glorify the newborn God?” The family responds, “We glorify Him, welcome!”
After lighting the fire, the log is placed in the center. Following the celebratory dinner,
caroling begins.
Estonia. Christmas Traditions
Estonians prepare for Christmas in advance. In the evening, families attend church services
and weave Christmas wreaths made of spruce, pine, or fir, decorating them with ribbons and
wooden figurines. On Christmas Eve, Estonians usually visit friends, while on Christmas
Day, families gather at a rich festive table.
Cuba. Christmas Traditions
For the first time in almost thirty years, the people of Cuba were able to openly celebrate
Christmas in 1998. This concession was granted by the communist authorities at the request
of Pope John Paul II, who visited Cuba in January 1998. A festive Christmas dinner is one of
the main traditions, symbolizing a good start to the Christmas week.
Traditional Santa Clauses do not exist in Cuba, nor is the Christmas tree a typical
decoration. Instead, Cubans may decorate trees resembling pine, sometimes even cacti, but
mostly palm trees. Decorations depend on the family's income, often consisting of
handmade paper ornaments and garlands.
France. Christmas Traditions
Before the main Catholic holiday—Christmas—a festive atmosphere fills the streets of
France. It is customary to give gifts, especially to children. According to an old tradition,
children leave their shoes by the fireplace, so Santa can leave them rewards for good
behavior throughout the past year.
The Christmas dinner, called "réveillon," is a family celebration held under the Christmas
tree, featuring a traditional menu with seven dishes: sage and garlic soup, spinach and
baked cod, green and black olives, fried fish, cauliflower, celery in anchovy oil, snails, and
the traditional delicacy—foie gras.
A special French tradition is the preparation of the "Christmas log" to ensure a good
harvest. The log is cut from the tree that produced the best fruits during the previous harvest
and is believed to possess magical properties.
Finland. Christmas Traditions
In Finland, preparations for Christmas begin on December 21, St. Thomas Day. On
December 24, families traditionally go to the sauna together. In villages, straw is spread
across the floor before the holiday, and sometimes people even sleep on it. Straw is also
used to make Christmas crafts, such as animal figurines and lampshades. Earlier, instead of
a tree, homes were decorated with a wooden pole adorned with red and green paper and 8-
10 candles. Christmas in Finland is a family holiday. Visiting others is discouraged as it is
believed happiness could leave the house. It is also customary to appease trolls, as failing to
do so could lead to trouble. However, if they are treated kindly, trolls may even bring gifts.
Germany. Christmas Traditions
In Germany, Christmas lights from candles shine in the windows of every home. This
tradition dates back to the Middle Ages when candles were lit only inside houses as streets
were not yet illuminated by lanterns. On Christmas, everyone placed a candle by their
window, filling dark streets with light.
A special day is December 24. After lunch, life in most German cities slows down. Around
10 p.m., the air fills with the sound of bells, announcing the start of Christmas services. Even
those who rarely think about God throughout the year attend this service. Afterward, families
enjoy a rich festive dinner, while December 25 and 26 are reserved for friendly visits,
caroling, trips, and celebrations.
No matter how different nations celebrate Christmas, the holiday is both astonishingly
familiar and deeply mysterious. Familiar because it involves the miracle of birth, and
mysterious because it is primarily associated with the divine mystery of the Incarnation.
