Christmas traditions all over the world:

Following is a brief list of some countries and their christmas traditions:

Australia:
- celebrated very similar to christmas in the UK and North America
- only main difference is that on the 25th December due to it being high summer down under, so it's traditional to hold a barbecue on the beach then.
- The highest Christmas tree of the southern hemisphere can be found in Sydney.
It's a 26 metres high artificial tree with over 20.000 small lights.

Germany:
6th December - Saint Nicholas day (German : Nikolaus) =
-In the night of the 5th December children put their shoes in front of their beds.
In the morning of the 6th December Saint Nicholas will have put gifts
(small toys, sweets or fruit) into the shoes.
-Traditionally people will dress up as Saint Nicholas and visit children.
During this visit the procedure of checking for good or bad kids will take place.
For this Saint Nicholas will be checking in a large golden book, that he will have brought with him. Children will have prepared something for his visit, like to recite a poem or something similar. With such activity children can 'counteract or work off' any possible naughty behaviour they displayed over the year, as Saint Nicholas will be referring to those, i.e. in April you didn't tidy your room or similar. Then children receive presents from him.
-Really traditionally Saint Nicholas will be accompanied by the farmhand Rupert or servant Rupert (German : Knecht Ruprecht) who is there to show some powerful presence as he will bring a rod with him, for possible punishment. Though of course this isn't followed through.

24th December - Christmas Eve (German: Heilig Abend) =
-opening of the presents in the evening, after a big meal is eaten.
Traditionally potatoe salad with frankfurter sausages or carp fish is served,
but each family will have their own chosen Christmas Eve meal.
-Decorating of the christmas tree will traditionally be done on the 24th December
during daytime.
-Often people place a crib depicting the nativity scene underneath
the christmas tree as well.
-This day is rather family orientated, so usually families tend to be among themselves only.

25th December =
-nothing special apart from a big lunch will take place.
Traditionally roast goose or turkey with dumplings and red cabbage will be eaten.

26th December =
-nothing special apart from a big lunch will take place again.
The remains from the meal the day before will be served.
-All shops and stores remain closed.
-Often a family walk is taken together.
-Traditionally this would be the day to meet up with friends.

Greece:
-For christmas children go through the streets with drums and bells, singing praising songs (Greek : Kalanda). They receive gifts for this.
-To protect oneself against leprechauns (Greek: Kalikanzari) during 12 nights christmas fires are lid.
-In the night of the 1st January saint Vassilius puts presents in front of the children's beds.
-Traditionally families bake a cake and place a golden coin into the dough.
Whoever finds that coin in their piece of cake is meant to be having a very happy new year.

Finland:
Tradition here is a visit to a sauna on Christmas Eve.
The traditional meal on that night is the 'baked Swede' which is a festive meal with pork.

France:
-The main event here is the Christmas dinner called 'Le Reveillon'.
-Traditionally the entire family also attends the midnight mass.

Italy:
-The main focus with regards to christmas decorations is placed here onto the crib
depicting the nativity scene (Italian : Presepio).
-Presents are given out on Christmas Eve in the order of people drawing numbers for their presents out of a sack.
6th January - an ugly, old witch (Italian : Befana) carrying a broomstick visits children and brings gifts for the good ones and pieces of coal for the naughty ones.

Mexico:
- During the christmas period busy streets with fireworks (Spanish : posadas) are typical here.
- Children's highlight is the (Spanish: pinata). This is a clay vessel suspended from above,
so that children, who are blindfolded, can break it by knocking onto it with sticks to release its contents.

Netherlands:
- Traditionally the 5th December is celebrated with gifts brought by (Dutch: Sinterklaas and zwarte Piet) [similar to the German tradition of Saint Nicholas.

25th December =
is more seen as a religious festivity than anything else.

New Zealand:
- celebrated very similar to christmas in the UK and North America
- only main difference is that on the 25th December due to it being high summer down under, so it's traditional to hold a barbecue on the beach then.

Sweden:
The most important day in the christmas period is the 13th December,
the day of the Saint Lucia. She brings light into the dark.
In the morning of the Lucia-Day, the oldest daugher of each family dresses up as Saint Lucia and walks through the house, waking the rest of the family, traditionally carrying a wreath of candles on her head and giving out Lucia cakes and cookies.

Scandinavia:
-Christmas hobbits are known around here.
-They stem from the 'Jul celebration' which is a harvesting / winter tradition,
during which 'Jul beer' is served. The celebration ends on 13th January with a big party.

UK and North America:
24th December =
stockings are hung up for Santa Claus to fill when bringing the presents overnight
25th December =
opening of the presents during the morning hours

UK:
25th December =
- wearing of paper crowns during dinner.
The crown hats usually come from the UK’s traditional Christmas cracker which is pulled – tug-o-war style - by two people, with crackers usually containing a toy, a joke and the crown style hat.

Other countries:
24th December =
In all German speaking countries, but also Argentina, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal and the nordic countries, the christmas gifts are handed out during the evening of christmas eve

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