What is special about Christmas customs around the world?

(Baonghean.vn) - Countries around the world celebrate Christmas in different ways. But no matter the method, Christmas is still an important holiday, bringing joy to every home. In addition to Christmas greetings, cards, and parties, there are many other special customs.

1. Italy

It will be a sumptuous feast with dishes such as grilled eel, traditional vegetable platter, and cheese cream on the night of the 24th, which is the way Italians celebrate Christmas. Children will take turns telling stories about the holiday in the shimmering light of candles. After the midnight mass, gifts will be given. According to custom, Mrs. Claus will visit and give gifts to children instead of Santa Claus like in other countries.

2. Mexico

In Mexico, the attraction is that all the children and adults dress up as characters from the Christmas story. They parade together to reenact the scene of Jesus and Mary looking for a place to stay. The procession will go to the house that has been chosen on Christmas Eve, ask for a place to rest, then start the ceremony and enjoy the food.

3. Ireland

To invite saints and weary passersby to rest, Irish people light candles in their windows on Christmas Eve. Any passerby who stops at a house with a candle lit in the window is traditionally given a place to stay for the night and a meal by the owner.

4. Russian Federation

For Russian Orthodox Christians, Christmas falls on January 7th because they use the old calendar. For many Russians, the main reason to celebrate Christmas is because it is a time to rest, with workers getting up to 10 days off. On this holiday, good children are given toys, candy, and fruit, while naughty children are punished.

5. Denmark

On Christmas Day, when children first see their Christmas tree decorated with gifts and toys, the whole family will hold hands and dance around the tree, singing carols and Christmas songs with the national flag.

6. Poland

As a Catholic country, Poles wait until the first star shines in the sky on Christmas Day. Whoever sees it first gets to sit down at the table and start dinner. The meal usually consists of up to 12 dishes, representing the 12 months of the year, and usually starts with beetroot or cabbage soup, followed by fish or turkey.

7. Japan

Japan does not have an official Christmas holiday. Christmas in Japan does not have much of a religious color. From the beginning of December, the streets have begun to hang decorative lights. Major centers in Tokyo such as Tokyo Station, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, Ginza, etc. all hang beautiful lights called illuminations. Particularly famous is probably the light corridor called “Tokyo Millenario” designed by Italian art director Valerio Festi, running 800 meters in Marunouchi near Tokyo Station.

8. America

Christmas is the biggest holiday in America. After Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November, people and businesses start preparing for Christmas. Every store or shopping center puts up a giant Christmas tree, decorated with lights and Christmas decorations.

9. Brazil

Santa Claus in Brazil is called "Papai Noel". Here, Christmas customs are similar to those in the US and UK. For those who have more money, they prepare a meal of turkey, meat, rice, beans, of course, fresh and dried fruit... and beer too. For those who are poorer, they eat chicken, rice, head and also beer and coke. A favorite Brazilian dessert is Brigadeiro candy made from milk and chocolate.

10. Belgium

Belgian families also traditionally exchange Christmas presents, which are hidden under the tree or in stockings hung by the fireplace at night. Christmas breakfast is a special sweet bread called “cougnou” or “cougnolle” shaped like the baby Jesus. Some families also have a big meal on Christmas Day.

11. France

French families have a Christmas tree decorated with red ribbons and sparkling white candles in their homes. Even the fir trees in their gardens are decorated with sparkling lights. Santa Claus in France is called Père Noël. For the French, the Christmas meal is very important. Everyone in the family will gather together to enjoy a delicious meal and fine wine. They exchange Christmas and New Year cards with wishes of good luck and happiness for a peaceful new year.

12. Federal Republic of Germany

Germans love to decorate their homes for Christmas. They hang electric candles on the doors, and colorful pictures made of paper or plastic that sparkle in the night light. Adventskranz – a wreath with four candles – is a must. Each family also has a wooden “cribs” – a place to commemorate the birth of Jesus with Mary, Joseph, and the cattle.

Kim Ngoc

(Synthetic)