Christmas around the world

Legend has it that, during the night of December 5th, children prepare for the arrival of St. Nikolaus by leaving their shoes on the windowsill or outside the front door. During the night, St. Nicholas wanders around the houses, holding a large book in which he noted the behavior of each child and carrying a sack full of candies and wooden twigs on his shoulder. Good children will find sweets in their shoes, while naughty ones will only find twigs.

• Germany

• Austria

• Poland

In this country, on Christamas eve, at the beginning of the meal, a large wafer biscuit called 'Oplatek',  which has an image of Mary, Joseph and Jesus imprinted, is passed around the table and everyone breaks a piece to eat. Sometimes a small piece can be given to pets that the family may have.

• Finland

• Poland

• Czech Republic

In this country, on December 13, in honor of Saint Lucia, the eldest daughter of the family dresses like Saint Lucia, with a white tunic, a red belt and a crown with lighted candles on her head and brings a tray with sweets to offer to the whole family.

• Sweden

• Bulgaria

• Belgium

In some house of this country, people put a large candle on the windowsill after sunset on Christmas Eve. The candle is left lit throughout the night and represents a welcoming light for Mary and Joseph.

• Danmark

• Sweden

• Ireland

On Christamas Eve it’s traditional to celebrate the party for lovers and for families with small children: couples go out for dinner to eat fried chicken and the famous Christmas Cake, that is a simple sponge cake with whipped cream and decorated with strawberries and images of Santa Claus. Even in this country people exchange a gift, but only between lovers.

• China

• Thailand

• Japan

No meat is eaten during Christmas Eve dinner; “Kutya”, a kind of wheat and honey soup, is usually eaten from a single plate in the center of the table and represents the unity of the family.

• Hungary

• Russia

• Czech republic

This country has a very special Christmas tradition: In fact, the night before Christmas they make sure to hide all their brooms. This is because long ago it was believed that evil spirits and witches came out on Christmas Eve: according to a legend, therefore, if on December 24 a broom is left around the house it will attract an evil witch. The witch will steal the broom and ruin Christmas for everyone.

• Norway

• Finland

• Danmark

In this country, at the end of Chirstmas Eve dinner, it’s traditional to serve the “Bûche de Noël”, which literally means Christmas log. It is a traditional dessert that consists of a chocolate sponge cake filled with chocolate cream, rolled up to resemble a real trunk. The outside of the cake is also decorated to resemble the bark of a tree.

• Belgium

• France

• Switzerland

In this country the most exciting moment for children cannot fail to be the night of Christmas Eve: back from Midnight Mass, the children hang their traditional Father Christmas socks near the tree or the fireplace and to thank him for the copious gifts they prepare him a cup of milk. and a sweet, the mince pie. Poor reindeer Rudolph is also pampered, so a Thanksgiving carrot is usually left next to the mug!

• Spain

• England

• France

These are the two most popular dessert in this country. There's a strong debate about which is the best and this dilemma divides people into two factions. The first one, rich in raisins and candied fruit, emblem of abundance and happiness, and the second one, a buttery dessert with an unmistakable stellar appearance.

• Spain

• Portugal

• Italy