Christmas is a popular festival celebrated throughout the world. Though the main
theme behind the celebrations is same everywhere, every country has slightly
different customs related to Christmas celebration. However, the zeal and
enthusiasm of Christmas celebrations remain the same everywhere. Be it countries
of Europe or the countries of Asia, or counties in America or Africa there is a
special fervor about the arrival of this festival. Markets all over the world
get a special boost around this festival. Let's explore here some of these
unique and interesting ways to celebrate Christmas around the world.
Christmas Holiday Celebrations
Asia
In comparison to the other parts of the world, Asian countries have relatively
less Christian. So, the celebration of Christmas is not as widely celebrated as
other parts of the world. However, the zeal and fervor of the people in Asia is
no less as compared to the other parts of the world. The celebrations here are
very much western in nature. The customs and traditions such as attending the
midnight mass, religious services, exchanging of gifts, thanksgiving, singing
carols, decorating their house and Christmas trees are very similar to those
done in Europe and America.
However, gradually the festival is becoming popular in countries like Japan,
India, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines. On the eve of Christmas, the streets
here are decorated with lights, gifts are exchanged, and Christmas trees and
other Christmas accessories are available at each departmental store. The
culture of Santa Claus has also become gradually very popular in this continent.
Party and feasting are inevitable part of the Christmas celebrations here.
Africa
Very much like Asia, the celebration of Christmas, as a festival is not so
widespread due to the little Christian population in most of the African
countries. However, amongst the scanty Christian population in the continent
brought along with the missionaries here, Christmas customs and traditions are
inevitable part of their culture. The celebrations are very much a replica of
the western traditions and rituals.
The Christmas celebrations here in Africa begin with the Christmas carols and
hymns in their own languages. At early morning, the carolers start moving to and
fro through the village, along the roadway, by the houses of the missionaries,
singing the wonderful Christmas carols. Most of the people are be awakened by
the group of carolers who are heading towards the house of worship singing the
carols. They return home to make ultimate preparation like the clothes one must
wear and also as to one's offering for the Christmas service. In South Africa,
Christmas is a summer holiday.
Europe
The celebration of Christmas is most beautiful and attractive in Europe. As
Christmas falls at the most wonderful time of the season, the festivities of
Christmas are also given a boost up by the wonderful weather of the place. As
Christmas is the most original and ancient festival in Europe, there are also
several folklores and folk traditions related to this festival here. The
Christmas celebrations are also very authentic in nature at this place. The
celebrations are almost similar in all the countries of Europe.
In England, it is a tradition to choose Boy Bishops on the occasion of Christmas
in order to honor of St. Nicholas' love for children. These little bishops then
perform various duties except delivering the Mass. The day next to Christmas day
is called 'Boxing Day' here as the young boys used to go round collecting money
in clay boxes on this day. In Britain, the gift giver is called Father
Christmas. Just like Santa Claus, Father Christmas delivers the gifts during the
night before Christmas. The traditional Christmas dinner in England consists of
roasted turkey with vegetables and sauces and the most popular dessert is fruity
Christmas pudding with brandy sauce.
Australia
In Australia, Christmas on 25th December actually falls in the mid of the warmth
of summer and it is often very hot here during Christmas. The Christmas here is
celebrated along traditional lines with people attending the great mass in
church on the Christmas Day. The services are held early in the morning. This is
how the day of Christmas begins in Australia along with the decoration of their
homes with flowers and other plants and Church rituals in the morning.
The festivities of Christmas begin from the noon when generally people prefer to
go out for a picnic in the wood or on the beach. The feasts are also organized
at these places. The popular Christmas dishes include the traditional hams,
turkeys and plum pudding. As the climate is very hot, salads and other summer
foods also form an important part on the Christmas menu. Lots of events and
concerts are also held through out the country on this day. Many people also
prefer to celebrate their day in a pool, playing cricket at the backyard or any
other outdoor activities.
America
North America
The United States of America is a vast country with people from different ethnic
groups residing here. This is why, Christmas celebrations do not only vary from
state to state but also from house to house. The Jewish people in USA celebrate
Hanukkah other than the Christian celebration on this day. Generally, the
houses, streets and stores are wonderfully decorated with colorful lights and
Christmas trees and Santa Claus on this day. The entire atmosphere is made
musical by the auspicious Christmas carols being played all the time. The entire
city is decorated till New Year in the colors of Christmas. Feasting and
Partying are extended week long and even Schools are generally closed till 2nd
January. All the countries in North America have a similar celebration.
South America
In South America, unlike other parts of the world, the Christmas is celebrated
as a harvest festival. Places like Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay in South
America, celebrate the festival in similar way. The native of the place, the
Bolivians observe this day as thank giving day after the completion of a year's
agricultural work. The festival is completely dedicated to Mother Earth and all
the celebrations and feasting is done in order to commemorate her presence. The
people here pray for their well being and prosperity and ask her to bring a
fruitful harvest in the coming year. In Brazil, Santa Claus is popular by the
name of Papa Noel. Here instead of Christmas trees, the crèche or Presepio,
representing the Christ's birth is popular. Gifts and toys are also exchanged
during the holiday season. There is also unique tradition in some parts of South
America, where children write letters to the Christ-child on the eve of
Christmas and place shoes in the window in which he may place toys when he comes
to his place.
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