Christmas is a festival celebrated world over. In some
parts, the celebration is totally religious while, in others, it is relaxed and
secular. In most regions, Christmas has a unique national and cultural flavour
of celebrating the festival.
Also, there is no homogenous or common Christmas customs and traditions around
the world, but there are a few common elements. Popular Christmas traditions
are exchanging of gifts, preparing the Yule log, decorating the Christmas tree,
kissing under the mistletoe, etc.
In predominantly Christian countries, Christmas is the
most significant festival, in economic terms. For instance, in the UK, Christmas
is celebrated for 12 days beginning with Christmas day. It is a huge celebration
and feasting leading up to the Feast of the Epiphany or the 12th
Night.
The custom of elongating Christmas celebrations is growing in popularity. In some countries,
the holiday season starts much before Christmas day to celebrate with family for a longer time. This is to stretch the
shopping season.
The day before Christmas is commonly called as Christmas Eve and the days after Christmas
by various names. In some Commonwealth countries, it is referred to as “Boxing
Day,” while in Poland and Germany, it is called as Second Christmas Day. Romanians
and the Irish call the day as St. Stephen’s Day.
Apart from such religious connotations, Christmas is
associated with certain customs and traditions of a non-religious and secular
nature. Some of them are:
- Exchange of gifts: Families and friends exchange gifts. Children hang stockings by the fireplace and keep empty shoe boxes on Christmas Eve to let Santa fill it with gifts or candy by X’MAS morning. Sometimes kids leave their shoes by the window sill for Santa to fill them up with goodies.
- Christmas cards: Sending Christmas cards is a popular way of celebrating Christmas. And all your friends and family will appreciate a card wishing them Merry Christmas if you are far away from them.
- Decorating home: Get your family together to deck up your home and Christmas tree. Festoon the home with balloons and streamers, as well as stars and mistletoe. Candy canes can also be used. People decorate insides as well as outside of their homes. Sometimes municipalities sponsor the X’MAS decorations.
- Christmas parties: They are a great way to celebrate with family. Special Christmas dinner menu like Christmas pudding is served in most countries. Families in some East European countries fast for a few days before Christmas and break their fast on Christmas day with special Christmas feast. Some countries feature Christmas pageants and Christmas dances as part of the revelry and exchange famous Christmas quotes to mark the celebrations with joy and laughter.
- Charitable work: People go carol singing to spread the joy and cheer from house to house. Also, they visit the neighbourhood for good causes like raising donations for the infirm and the destitute.
- Religious celebration: As a religious celebration, the revelry of the festival is toned down. In homes and the Church, carols are sung, funds are raised for good causes and people do voluntary charitable work. It is a time for silent prayer, spiritual renewal and reading out quotes from the Holy Bible.
There are many customs and traditions for Christmas
around the globe. But basically, it served to bring love, peace and joy to our
homes and our lives.
