While we are all accustomed to our own holiday ways here in the United States, often incorporating Christmas lights, movies, music, and plans to be cozying up on Christmas morning with a yummy breakfast, it is interesting and valuable to see how people around the world spend this beloved holiday.
Australia
Completely opposite to us, Australia’s Christmas falls at the beginning of summer for them, because of their location in the Southern hemisphere. While Australians still hang up Christmas lights and sing Christmas carols, there are definitely some noticeable differences. While some use Christmas trees, it is very popular for Australians to decorate their homes with a “Christmas Bush” plant, which looks like a small tree with red leaves on the ends. Differing from many places in the U.S. that hope for a white Christmas, Australians always spend the holiday doing summertime activities, like surfing, camping, or going to the beach. Following Christmas, Australia celebrates Boxing Day, which is on the 26th and has shopping sales, a yacht race, and other fun activities.
China
Different from the West, China celebrates Christmas in a very unique way. While Christmas is still full of lights and decor, the actual holiday is typically seen as a romantic/ love holiday, similar to our Valentine’s Day. Couples often exchange gifts and entertain themselves with activities like ice skating and shopping (much like us). Another tradition China has is the gift of apples. Apples will be sold and gifted with love messages and notes as a sign of peace giving. While only 1% of China’s population is officially Christian, the holiday is often more celebrated for fun than for religious purposes. Like Australia, China also celebrates the British tradition of Boxing Day on the 26th as well.
Japan
Similar to China, less than 1% of Japan’s population is officially Christian, however Christmas is still a widely celebrated holiday throughout the country. The day before Christmas, on our Christmas Eve, is Japan’s Valentine’s Day. Couples come together on Christmas Eve to show love and exchange gifts, like China does on the 25th. The Christmas celebration is mainly to show love all around Japan rather than to celebrate the Nativity. Something unique that Japan does, is that on Christmas, one of the most popular meals is Kentucky Fried Chicken, eaten by over 3 million families across the country- so popular that people have to pre order party buckets of chicken days in advance!
Sweden
In Sweden, the Christmas season is similar to our own, with lights, food, drinks, and celebrating. Differing from us, their main event is Christmas Eve, where most of the tradition and fun happens. Swedes indulge in a buffet-styled meal on Christmas Eve and have drinks like dark seasonal beer and soft drinks. Along with Santa, Sweden is also known for their large, straw, yule goat, which is a Christmas symbol linked to old traditions and harvest spirits. Historic manors and castles in Sweden also offer lots of festivity and decoration around the Christmas season, bringing the old-timey holiday feel.
