An important occasion is fast approaching. Most Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th to remember Jesus of Nazareth’s birth. Like many other peoples around the world, Americans have created their own Christmas customs and celebrations, which have evolved significantly over time. Exchanging gifts, decorating their homes, holding parades or parties, praying, and sharing food and beverages are the typical ways that people celebrate Christmas. The name ‘Christmas’ comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus).
But American Christmas only offers one perspective on the holiday. Embracing EF’s international character, The International Changemaker asked students at EF and other schools to describe how Christmas is celebrated in their home countries.
Emy, a 9th grader in a Canadian school, describes Canadian Christmas
“There are also a great number of Canadians, who prefer to spend Christmas Eve December 24 in festivities that involve family meals and sometimes a church service on Christmas day at midnight. A late breakfast or Brunch followed by unwrapping gifts is a tradition in most families that celebrate Christmas which falls on the 25th of December. Christmas Eve is one occasion I look forward to hearing from Santa Claus every year. The giving and receiving of gifts is one of the things about Christmas in Canada that people look forward to. Christmas dinner is also quite a treat as we have Roast turkey or ham, stuffing, and mashed or roast potatoes. We also go ice skating and Hockey. As the winter is cold, outdoor events are quite an integral part of the Canadian Christmas.”
Harry, a 12th grader in Swedish high school, describes Swedish Christmas
“Beginning the Swedish Advent – Christmas season that comes four weeks before Christmas which begins on the first Sunday of Advent. After that, we have the third major Christmas celebration which is St Lucia’s Day Christmas celebration on December 13. Furthermore, Christmas day the 25th is quite family orientated and businesses are closed just to be with family in Sweden. That includes The Julbord – a Christmas buffet, as we call it in Sweden, which presents dishes like Gravlax which is a type of salmon, Herring which is soaked with other salted fish in spices and Julskinka which is pork meat which is Christmas ham.”
Kim, an 11th grader at EF, describes Vietnamese Christmas.
“As in many other countries, Christmas is celebrated on December 25 in Vietnam too. The Festival of Christmas has recently become popular in my country and it is also observed by a lot of people regardless of religion. Christmas does not have specific dishes assigned to it in our culture but it is the time of the year when the family and friends meet and eat anything they want and most people have a good time. People obtain a Christmas tree and a crib and place them in their house as it adds to the Christmas mood. To many people, the best times of the holidays are when the Christmas decorations are put up. As for me, I will be spending Christmas in Vietnam.”
Queenie, an 11th grader at EF, describes Taiwanese Christmas
“Taiwan is not a Christian country so Christmas is not a holiday of tradition; however, there are signs that the festive season is approaching, especially in metropolitan areas. A few of the businesses that line the streets put up displays and engage in seasonal sales of several goods. Many people give presents to one another on the Eve of Christmas, 24th December, and this has made it a great period for people to get together. With regards to the festive season, it is common to also eat candies and chocolate, but there is no special Christmas food like in some countries. For my part, I will not be remaining in America for the Christmas Holiday. Rather I am looking forward to returning home to Taiwan to spend the season with family and friends.”
Each of the four nations from the three continents celebrates Christmas in a unique way. The cuisine served in the nation and the length of time it takes to celebrate this event make the differences quite evident. However, the 25th of December is the primary holiday observed in all nations. explore taking part in this wonderful celebration of each nation if you have the chance, since the unique characteristics of each make it a rich and fascinating event in every region of the world.
