Tis the Season to Discover X-mas Traditions from Around the World!

Poland – Wesołych Świąt

Let’s start with the land of fields: Poland! Full of rich culture and history the X-mas traditions truly reflect that. While the UK go BIG on the 25th, classic Polish themes include Christmas Eve being the day where most things happen.

Heart-warming rituals include a Christmas eve dinner with 12 no-meat dishes that symbolise Jesus’s disciples; a spare plate on the dinner table for any who doesn’t have a place to eat or who might show up last minute; and waiting until the first star in the sky before the feasting can commence.

Loads of festive and emotional feelings to keep you warm.

Spain – Feliz Navidad

Ever heard of the 12 days of Christmas? Spanish tradition brings it BIG with the feast of the Epiphany on the 6th of January – where most presents are still opened. There’s also parades on that day, as well as sweet seasonal favourites like turron eaten throughout the festive period.

NYE also sees Spaniards eating 1 sour grape for each chime of the clock before the New Year. The prize if they consume each bit of fruit? Good fortune for the next 365 days.

France – Joyeux Noël

Tis the season to eat game meat and put your shoes under the Christmas tree, or by the fireplace, for Pere Noel to fill with presents – because we’re in France!

Lovers of a BIG meal on the 24th as well, French tables include vintage favourites like oysters, foie gras and is called Le Reveillon and eaten around midnight. Christmas Day can be a more laid-back affair but can also see present opening and even more delicious food that may include beef, salmon, turkey or goose.

Italy – Buon Natale

Want to feel festive for an entire month? Then a classic Italian Christmas might just tick a few of those tinsel rimmed boxes, with the holiday season running from the 8th December to Epiphany Day on the 6th January (where women dress up as good witches who give out sweets to children).

The 8th sees trees decorated in homes and piazzas around the country! Squares fill up and the metaphorical scissors are cut on the opening of those tingly festive celebrations.

Christmas is celebrated for 3 days too! Tis’ the season indeed!

Germany – Frohe Weihnachten

Coal or sweets in your clogs? Depending on their behaviour throughout the year, German kids could get either, with St Nikolaus coming round on the 6th December to recognise the good children by their clean shoes!

Weeks before the 25th see traditional activities like baking biscuits called ‘Plätzchen’, with spices usually reserved for Christmas, like star anise, cardamom, cloves and buckets of cinnamon.

Different shapes, different sizes, kids usually cut them out in trees, angels, stars – anything Christmassey really!

Portugal – Feliz Natal

Boiled cod, boiled potatoes, cabbage, carrots & egg fill Portuguese tables up and down the Iberian country on traditional Christmas Eve meals.

If the 24th falls mid-week, people usually do half a day and spend the afternoon making yummy cakes! Then comes the meal above, consumption of scrumptious desserts and present opening!

Sound delicious!

Czech Republic – Veselé Vánoce

Czechia begins the jovial season with Advent, where a candle is lighted each Sunday in the run-up to the 25th. Each candle symbolises a classic theme of Christmas, they are:

• Hope
• Peace
• Joy
• Love

Chrimbo Eve dinner sees traditional carp and potato salad and a ton of homemade tasty biscuits followed by presents. Plus, some preserve the fish scales from the meal, dry them out, and keep them for the next year as it’s supposed to bring wealth.

Lithuania – Linksmų Kalėdų

Much like Poland, Lithuania sees 12 dishes on Christmas Eve, symbolising each month of the year. Mainly fish and strictly no meat, plates include ‘herring in the beds’, fish pancakes and poppy seed milk.

Wafers are passed round the table and shared with family members too! This traditionally symbolises Christ’s body. Another fun classic activity is picking the longest bit of straw that’s been placed on the feasting table. Longer the straw, longer your life! At least, that’s what the legend says.

The Netherlands – Vrolijk Kerstfeest

Here comes Sinterklaas! Not an alternative to Santa Claus (the Dutch call him Kerstman) but rather like his cousin. His birthday eve on the 5th ofDecember is celebrated around the country, with tradition stating he journeys to every child’s home to leave small gifts and treats.

Christmas Day (Eerste kerstdag) is reserved for church-going and classic family meals, whereas Second Christmas Day (the 26th December & called Tweede Kerstdag) sees shopping and even more meals with your nearest and dearest.

Australia – Merry Christmas!

Tis the season to celebrate Christmas Down Under! And because it’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere, Australians have a much sunnier and warmer time of year. Food can include a seafood platter with prawns, lobsters, as well as roast turkey and Christmas pudding.

Our favourite tradition is going to the beach dressed in fancy dress! The beach on Christmas day? Seems strange yet so brilliant. Grab your towels!

Iceland – Gleðileg jól

Icelandic folklore takes a different turn to the usual helpful and warm X-mas spirit you may be used to as it sees the 13 Yule Lads playing pranks on everyone! At least, that was the vintage vibe each troll used to employ.

Recent times see them taking a more fun and caring route, with children leaving shoes on window ledges in the 13 days leading up to Christmas hoping for a small treat. Time to be nice!

UK

Where would you be without the classic traditions of the UK! There’s kissing under the mistletoe, mince pies, Christmas stockings, Christmas pudding, carol singing, crackers and the classic roasted (in some houses for 24 hours) turkey! And of course, brussel sprouts!

New Year’s Eve sees massive celebrations all over, with a countdown to the strike of midnight followed by hugging and kissing of your nearest and dearest a common tradition. Scotland stands out with the HUGE Hogmanay, where there’s torchlight processions, fireworks, and the singing of Robert Burns timeless poem, Auld Lang Syne.