Africa
Many African countries celebrate Christmas, and one of the more heartwarming examples of this is Nigeria. Many people who have become successful and moved out of their small, underdeveloped ancestral villages return to their roots to spread wealth and joy during the holidays. People bring livestock and gifts as contribution for large family feasts and eat traditional cultural food during these celebrations.
It is common tradition for the wealthy to bring Christmas presents for family members and friends and do whatever they can to help them survive and thrive in these smaller villages.
South Eastern Asia
Christmas is traditionally celebrated from Pakistan all the way to Indonesia, but did you know that the Philippines have one of the longest annual Christmas celebrations in the world?
Starting in September and not ending until mid January, Christmas decorations and festivities are stretched out over a period of many months, from masses to midnight family feasts. It’s not uncommon to see parols and other iconic Filipino Christmas ornaments for sale and displayed year round!
Southern Europe
In some European countries like Serbia and Macedonia, Christmas is traditionally celebrated on January 7th due to Eastern Orthodox churches using the old Julian calendar. Orthodox Christmas celebrations include many folk-like customs and rituals and are practiced in a variety of different ways throughout these countries.
Some of these practices include the ritual burning of young oak branches, wheat being strewn throughout the house and wheat seeds being sprouted and returned to nature. It’s also very important to have a massive family feast with many cultural dishes and courses, with the main dish often being a whole spit-roasted pig.
Northern Europe
Scandinavian countries like Sweden celebrate Christmas in a way that is greatly inspired by the pagan winter solstice. Celebrations begin on Saint Lucy’s Day, ushering in the season with traditional Christmas songs and rituals.
Christmas day is celebrated on the 24th with gift giving and a traditional family feast called the Julbord. These feasts often include Christmas ham, meatballs, rice puddings, pickled herring and other cultural dishes.
Some households, in accordance to an old superstition, leave out bowls of porridge as an offering to the Jultomto, the invisible Christmas gnome. Other traditions include displaying oranges decorated with cloves, ornamental yule goats and writing fun rhymes on gifts.
South America
Christmas in countries like Colombia are filled with spiritual vibes, religious ceremony and traditions. Festivities begin on December 7th where everybody from tiny towns to big cities get together and decorate streets, and both public and private areas with lights, candles and lanterns.
This cross-country display honors the immaculate conception and businesses and organizations hold contests to judge the the best decorative light displays across the country. Manger scenes and Christmas carols can be seen and heard throughout the holiday season, and 9 consecutive days of church going and prayer and held before Christmas day.
During these 9 days, churches often hold very large masses each night, filled with music and game. Churches hold these Christmas festivals all in an attempt to step away from commercialism of the holidays and have communities focus on the religious meaning of Christmas.
North America
Christmas in America is a magical time of year. It seems that the entire country shifts in to a more whimsical and charitable state. It’s no surprise that north American Christmas is a mishmash of worldly traditions all clumped together in to a big, beautiful winter long commemoration. Decorations are often seen for as long as there is snow on the ground, and big cities like New York become massive tourist attractions with stunning annual
Christmas themed sights to behold. Radios, television, theater, city centers, streets and businesses are transformed in to a winter-long Christmas themed spectacles. Children hang Christmas stockings, leave out cookies and milk for Santa Clause on Christmas eve and tune in to local news and radio stations to get live reports of Santa’s flying sleigh and reindeer sightings as he travels across the country delivering presents.
Whatever your background and culture is, or wherever you live, Christmas is a time of year to spread love and cheer. A perfect way to send some love is with a thoughtfully chosen basket full of beautiful treats and gifts for that special somebody. Sharing a gorgeous bounty of elegant sweets and a bottle of wine is a wonderful way to spread joy over the holidays, and nothing looks better under the tree than a big luxurious basket of Christmas treats topped with a charming bow.
Start a new tradition this year, and let Alexandria Gifts help you choose the perfect Christmas gift!
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