6 Countries' Christmas Traditions
What does your family do for Christmas? Do you decorate the tree? Buy presents for all your family members and friends? Have you made your own traditions from fun experiences?
Today, I am going to share a few traditions of countries where some of our viewers live...
NOTE: Keep in mind that not everyone does these traditions.
India:
Sources say:
Sometimes people use mango leaves to decorate their homes. In Southern India, Christians often put small oil burning clay lamps on the flat roofs of their homes to show their neighbors that Jesus is the light of the world. Christians in Goa love to celebrate Christmas!
France:
Sources say:
Many people in France put up a Christmas tree, visit a special church service, eat an elaborate meal and open gifts on Christmas Eve. Other activities also include walking in a park, participating in city life and sharing a meal with family and close friends.
Nepal:
Sources say:
Christmas is celebrated more among the Christian communities in Nepal. However, other communities also participate in parties and non religious celebrations during holiday with Christians. In other words, people of Nepal celebrate Christmas as a national festival as they celebrate other festivals.
Thailand:
Sources say:
Thailand is primarily a Buddhist country, and though there is a small minority of resident Christians, much of the holiday revelry is purely secular. Most Thai families do not celebrate Christmas on December 25 with a tree, decorations, and gift giving.
Italy:
Sources say:
Nowadays, 'Babbo Natale', the Father Christmas, brings presents to children on Christmas eve. But as in true Italian style, gifts are exchanged only on January 6 that is the day of Epiphany. Then 'la befana', an old lady, comes in search to the houses for search of the Christ Child.
Ireland:
Sources say:
In Irish (or Gaelic) Christmas is 'Nollaig', Santa Claus is known as 'San Nioclás' (Saint Nicholas) or 'Daidí na Nollag' (Father Christmas) and Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Nollaig Shona Dhuit'. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.
Comment on this post if the country you live in was put on the list. If yours' was not, then comment which one it is and we might put it in another post! Thank you guys for reading the TCK Times!