Giant Christmas trees in big cities, letters to Santa Claus, houses decorated with lights and festoons. And then a lot of food and recipes full of good products. There are many Christmas traditions abroad. Some are similar to our, others are unique and linked to what has been handed down for generations. So we tell you about some Christmas traditions in some countries of the world, hoping that one day, once the health emergency is over, we can return to live these experiences around the world.
Christmas traditions in America
Let's start this journey to discover the Christmas traditions fromAmerica and in particular give United States. Many have dreamed of living these weeks admiring the beautiful streets of New York embellished with Christmas lights and colors. The big shops, the Christmas trees in the big buildings. Traditionally, the Christmas atmosphere begins after the “Black Friday” at the end of November with super discounts for a day in the shops. And then, as per tradition, in every home the children prepare the "Mince Pie" to leave something to eat for Santa Claus who on the night of the 24th reaches every house with his reindeer..
Then, as temperatures in some parts of America are hot, like California, Santa Claus comes with the surf and the party is on the beach. And then the competitions in the neighborhoods among the decorations of the most beautiful houses, between Christmas carols and traditional melodies sung in the streets in this period. In Labrador City, in Canada, the competition of the best decorated house, between lights and the presence of ice statues in the garden. In Nova Scotia, they eat lobster and seafood. And in Boston the giant Christmas tree. In Quebec the characteristic Santa Claus parade of Montreal.
In warm Africa comes a special Christmas, here are the Christmas traditions
Christmas traditions are also there in Africa. Here, for example, the holidays coincide with the period of the cocoa harvest and the workers return home to stay with the family. In Nigeria, girls visit the houses in the area dancing and singing with the drums according to the traditions of their ethnicity. Christmas trees characteristic of the area but different from those we all know: palm leaves are intertwined and arranged to form an arch with white flowers. Beach parties in hot South Africa. And on Christmas day, typical foods and dishes are exchanged as gifts.
In Latin America
Gifts for children and typical sweets also in Latin America. The Christmas Eve dinner in Venezuela is based on tamales and pan de jamon: for the Venezuelan, eating this bread is a symbol of abundance. Celebration also in Argentina and fireworks in Brazilian cities where Christmas Eve ("ceia de Natal") and lunch ("almoço de Natal") are celebrated and the one who brings gifts is "Papai Noel". Typical dishes include turkey, ham or cod, salami, panettone and bolo de Natal. And in Chile you eat the traditional Chilean Christmas dessert, Pan de Pascua.
Traditions in European countries
Our journey continues touching the European countries. In the United Kingdom Tradition has it that children write numerous letters to Santa Claus. An original way to ask for the gifts they would like to find under the tree. To deposit the packages under the tree will be "Father Christmas", the British equivalent of Santa Claus, accompanied by the reindeer Rudolph. And for Santa Claus they prepare sweets like in America, mince pie accompanied by milk. Lunch with the family, then on Christmas day. Turkey, Christmas Pudding and Christmas cake are traditionally prepared. And then in the late afternoon "afternoon tea" based on biscuits prepared for the occasion.
Decorations, between lights and colors, also in Germany and the beautiful Christmas markets, which can be visited from November. And then comes the Nikolaustag. On the night of December 5th, children leave their shoes on the windowsill or outside the front door. St. Nicholas will arrive to bring candies and wooden twigs, according to the behavior of the children. The typical Christmas Day menu sees families prepare dishes of roast goose and Christmas carp.
It's still
Ancient traditions also in Poland. In addition to decorations and dishes of typical food, and the custom of "kolędnicy". A group of people of various ages, often dressed as biblical characters knock on the houses, recite, sing. In Hungary the tree is decorated with typical candies covered with colored paper (szaloncukor), golden nuts, candles, bows. Among the favorite foods are those based on fish, typical Christmas sweets such as the "bejgli" with walnuts or poppy seeds. Very special markets you can visit in Austria. And then three Thursdays before Christmas they turn the houses singing the "Glöcklerlied" receiving in exchange nuts and mandarins for the little ones and an alcoholic drink for the adults.
In this imaginary journey among the most beautiful Christmas traditions there is also space for prayer and moments to be spent in churches, especially in Catholic countries. And even in cities where Christmas is just a moment of consumerism and pomp, it is still the most beautiful time awaited by families and children, where you can experience the magic of a unique time of the year.
