subject: Christmas In Different Countries [print this page] Different countries celebrate Christmas in different ways; however, many similarities emerge when traditions are studied. In general, Americans imagine Christmas to be a single day of family and fun, of presents and food, along with traditional decorations like evergreen trees that are covered in brightly colored Christmas balls, garlands, and other types of Christmas tree decorations. But how is Christmas celebrated elsewhere?
In Sweden, the Christmas season generally starts with St. Lucia's Day on the 13th of December; however, Christmas trees are usually not brought into the house until two days beforehand. Swedish Christmas tree ornaments are often made of straw and represent animals, although other decorations like glass balls and tinsel are used. Gifts are often brought by someone dressed as a tomte, or gnome-like being that lives under the house instead of at the North Pole, however, the tomte wears red robes and a white beard, similar to Santa Claus. Christmas Day is a day for attending church.
Christmas has only recently become a widely celebrated holiday in Japan, so recently, in fact, that there is no real Japanese term for "Merry Christmas." Instead, they say Merii Kurisumasu, which is English with Japanese pronunciation. It's also not a national holiday there, but many Japanese consider it a special day. Some decorate their homes with small, decorated trees. Their Christmas tree ornaments are made up of toys, gold paper fans, and origami, particularly the origami swan. Christmas is also considered a time for adults to get very drunk.
India celebrates Christmas much the same way Americans do, but generally, it's only the Christians in India that celebrate. In the days and weeks leading up to Christmas, the markets start putting up decorations like Christmas trees, stars, and images of Santa Claus, although Christmas tree decorations may also be put on mango or banana trees instead of the more traditional evergreen tree. Other Christmas decorations are made from the leaves of mango and banana trees. In the days before Christmas, women often prepare Christmas cakes, which are not only for the entire family, but also for neighbors. Christmas Day is celebrated with family and neighbors with church services and a good holiday meal.
Brazilian legend says that even animals talk about the birth of Jesus Christ. Because Brazil's culture is made up of several other cultures, Brazil celebrates Christmas in different ways. One of the more common decorations, however, is the prespio, or nativity scene, which is a holdover from their Portuguese heritage. Christmas occurs in summer, and so Christmas tree decorations often include putting tiny pieces of white cotton on the trees to symbolize snow. Midnight Mass is also popular in Brazil, although many Brazilians prefer to stay up late for a midnight meal on Christmas Eve, and attend a late-afternoon church service on Christmas Day.
Interestingly, one major staple of Christmas around the world seems to be decorated trees, whether sparsely or richly decorated with widely varying types of Christmas tree ornaments. The ornaments themselves, though, tend to be more culture-specific, with Christmas balls only being traditional in some countries. Christmas, whether a national holiday or not, is a festive and special time all around the world no matter how it's celebrated.
