Christmas Traditions Around the World

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, around 2 thousand years ago. Since his birth to Mother Mary, Christmas has been celebrated as a festival of sharing and happiness. Over the years, different Christmas traditions around the world have taken birth. For children in America, it is time when one is trickled by the snowflakes, rides on sledges and decorating Christmas trees. But, are you aware of the different Christmas traditions around the world? Christmas has become an universal festival, that is celebrated by people of different cultures in their own unique way. Over the years, Christmas traditions around the world have undergone transitions and are partly influenced by the local cultures. The following paragraphs will cover some information related to Christmas traditions around the world for children, that will help them learn global traditions and respect other cultures as well.

Christmas Traditions Around the World for Kids

Christmas around the world is celebrated with much fanfare and pomp. School going kids are the most excited souls in the world about Christmas. They are often taught about the true meaning of Christmas by their parents and they enjoy singing Christmas carols. You can talk to them about the Christmas traditions around the world for children and help them learn about the different practices carried out in different geographical locations. So without wasting much time, let us go through our list of Christmas traditions around the world for kids.

Argentina
You must have hung your Christmas stockings by the fire place, so that they are filled with gifts by Santa Claus. Children in Argentina enjoy the same tradition, but in a slightly different way. They hang boots by the door, for Father Christmas to fill it up with lovely delights.

Australia
Christmas in Australia is very different from other regions. For most of us, Christmas arrives during the chilling winter season. However, Christmas in Australia comes knocking in summer. Mothers bake a Christmas plum pudding and hide a lovely Christmas favor in it. There is a tasty turkey dinner with pork and ham. Christmas carols are sung on Christmas eve. Christmas bush, a native plant in Australia is surrounded by hundreds of people just like Christmas trees in America.

Belgium
Christmas is celebrated on 25th December, but in Belgium St. Nicholas or Sinterklaas is celebrated on the 6th of December. Most children get their presents on 6th December and Santa Claus is called de Kerstman or le Père Noël. It is said, St. Nicholas comes to visit and see which children were good and who were bad the whole year round on the 4th of December. Those who were good receive plenty of sweet goodies and the bad ones are left empty handed on the 6th December.

Brazil
Most people in Brazil do not celebrate Christmas in such a grand scale. People celebrate Christmas with chicken, rice, beans and coke. Brigadeiro is a Brazilian dessert cooked for Christmas. Children decorate Christmas trees and wait for Papai Noel (Santa Claus) to come visit them with their gifts.

Canada
There are many different Christmas traditions around the world and Canada has a very interesting practice. There are masked people called the Belsnicklers or mummers who go around the neighborhood creating a din. They move around asking children if they were good or bad and give good children candies as treat.

Denmark
Children in Denmark have a great time enjoying the mischievous pranks of an elf called Nisse. They leave Nisse a bowl of pudding at night so that he keeps his mischief to a minimum. Nisse plays jokes on adults and leaves the children their Christmas gifts.

You can read more on Christmas Eve traditions in:

• Christmas Traditions in Spain
• Christmas Traditions in India
• German Christmas Traditions
• Mexican Christmas Traditions
• Italian Christmas Traditions
• Romanian Christmas Traditions

Finland
Finland is full of joy as they are more closer to Santa Claus. There are many christian Christmas traditions around the world, of which a few are celebrated with great fervor in Finland. They make a special rice porridge, sweet soup made of dried fruits. People go to church and place presents under the Christmas tree.

Great Britain
Most of the Christmas traditions in Great Britain are similar to the traditions in United States. Children write letters to Father Christmas and hang stocking over the chimney. Plum puddings are served to children with hidden treasures.

Iraq
People in Iraq celebrate Christmas by gathering around a bonfire. This bonfire is made of dried thorns. People hold lighted candles and listen to a child who read the Nativity story from an Arabic Bible. They light up the bonfire after the story is complete. One interesting tradition here is that, if the thorns are burned to ashes, the family is said to have good fortune the rest of the year. If there are embers left, each family member can jump three times over it and ask for a wish.

Japan
Many families in Japan have adopted the Western traditions of Christmas like cooking turkey, decorating Christmas trees, etc. However, the traditional angle of celebrating Christmas in Japan includes Hotei-osho. He is a Buddhist monk, who just like Santa, gets children presents.

Poland
Of the many christian Christmas traditions around the world, one is celebrated in Poland. This tradition includes sharing a special bread called the oplatek with friends, family and neighbors. This keeps the spirit of Christmas alive by sharing. When one shares the special bread, the person receiving it has to forgive the giver for any misconducts.

Russia
Children in Russia receive gifts from Babushka, a legendary grandmother who did not provide food and shelter to the three wise men. She did not go along with them and later on regretted her decision. She ran after them trying to catch up and have a look at baby Jesus. Thus, she gives gifts and presents to any child in search of baby Jesus.

You can go through Christmas history and traditions in:

• Christmas Traditions: Boxing Day
• History of Christmas Traditions: Italy
• Christmas Symbols and their Meanings

These are some of the Christmas traditions around the world for children. You can use the information above for teaching your children Christmas customs around the world. There are many countries and each country celebrates Christmas according to their traditions. The way of celebrating Christmas may change, but the underlying factor of spreading joy and sharing remain the same. This was all about the Christmas traditions around the world for kids. You too can share a few Christmas traditions from your country or region with us. Just type in about the Christmas traditions around the world that you are aware of in the comments box below. Wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.