Christmas Day is just around the corner and preparations are at an end: the tree has been lighting the house for a couple of weeks, the decorations have been positioned at their best and the menu for the holidays has been chosen. Nothing is left behind, not even the treat to leave to Santa to thank him for the gifts! 🍪🥛
But would you have said that in Japan Christmas does not exist, or that in Russia Santa Claus is called Grandpa Frost and his helper is not an elf, but his niece the "Snow Maiden"?
Often in fact, it is erroneously thought that the Christmas traditions are the same in every part of the world, even if it is not so. Let’s discover together some 🌍✈️
USA 🇺🇸
Christmas in the United States is similar to ours: the children look forward to the arrival of Santa Claus and while waiting they enjoy decorating the house at best.
Unlike us Europeans, however, the Americans do not pay attention to expenses for Christmas decorations, so much so that they indicate real competitions in the neighborhood, to determine who has the house with the most beautiful decorations. In addition, typical of this Christmas period, are the Christmas choirs: groups of people gather and sing for the city the most loved Christmas songs.
RUSSIA 🇷🇺
In Russia, children are not waiting for a bearded man dressed in red surrounded by elves, but Grandfather Frost and his niece, the "Snow Maiden". The dress of Grandfather Gelo is not necessarily red and white, can also dress in blue and blue.
Christmas in Russia falls on January 7, as it follows the orthodox calendar which differs from the Gregorian by 13 days. For this reason, it is customary to make the tree on December 31 and exchange gifts on the same night, during the first hours of the new year. On January 7, however, the festivities are more contained.
GIAPPONE 🇯🇵
In Giappone, il Natale non coincide con una festa religiosa, ma con la festa degli innamorati. Essendo il Giappone un paese a prevalenza buddista, il Natale non viene celebrato come in Europa. Il 24 dicembre quindi, le coppie escono fuori a cena per mangiare pollo fritto e la famosa Christmas Cake, un dolce di pan di spagna decorato con panna montata, fragole e immagini di Babbo Natale. Alla fine della serata, si scambiano un dono.
AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺
In Australia, the arrival of Christmas is accompanied by a warm sun and a pleasant sea breeze. The festivities are in fact very far from those of Europeans: Australians are used to spend the day at the beach, grilling and greeting each other between a dip and the other. Santa Claus doesn’t come here on a reindeer sled but on a surfboard! As a traditional dessert, it is not eaten the panettone but the Christmas Pudding (or Plum Pudding) in which is hidden inside a small object that will bring luck for the new year to those who find it.
POLAND 🇵🇱
In Poland, Christmas is one of the most heartfelt holidays and every family member has a well-defined role: women cook while men and children decorate the tree. In addition, the youngest have a special task: scrutinizing the first star! From that moment on, everyone can sit at the table and enjoy the delicious dinner on Christmas Eve. This custom is linked to the star that guided the Magi to Jesus.After dinner you can finally exchange gifts!
SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦
In South Africa, this holiday falls in the middle of summer, so the festivities are held outdoors and the flowers are the master in the decoration of the environments. Tradition has it that on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the door of the house is always open so that anyone feels welcome. Gifts are exchanged on Christmas Day and always consist of foods and dishes, both raw and cooked, considered symbols of good luck.
