Rhonda

My mom was curious to see what traditions are in other countries. We all know what is traditional here in the US tho we all have our own traditions as well.

So I thought I would ask. Do you put up a tree? Do you exchange presents? Decorate? Would love to know the differances and the things that are the same.

Anyone in the US have an unusual tradition you'd like to share?

quiltinghere

Great topic!

Lynnie25

Christmas in Australia is summertime so a lot of people have picnics in the park (ham, cold turkey / chicken, salads, etc) or a BBQ (seafood, salads, etc).

Lots of family groups also opt to go out for a Christmas lunch at a hotel or club so they can enjoy family time without having to do the cooking.

Churches and charities provide lunches for the homeless or those who are alone.

Christmas in our household is pretty much non-existent, just a casual lunch, no decorations / tree / exchange of gifts - our choice !

kamaiarigby

Christmas here in new Zealand is the same as Australia,
We will be having a BBQ we always ask a elderly friend to join us as he has no family. It is too hot to have a cooked meal with all the trimmings, I would love to have a white christmas
our children live in Western Australia, we spent last christmas with them it was VERY hot 47degrees C
Dale
New Zealand

AnneT

Over here in Germany, we celebrate Christmas A LOT, mainly on the 24. At least this is what the kids would tell you, b/c on this evening we exchange presents, which are under the tree. Most people have natural trees, me too. I just LOVE the smell of a fresh tree.
Christmas-Stockings are not common over here, nor Santa coming through the chimney. In catholic areas, baby Christ "Christkind" brings the presents, which is the job for "Weihnachtsmann", a kinda Santa Claus for the evangelic/lutheran (?) ones. There are no special or new pajamas for Christmas either.

Attending the midnight service is very popular, therefore the churches are crowded!!

The traditional meal on 25. would be goose or (poached) carp. There is a special german pastry called "Christstollen". Originally it's from Dresden. It is a heavy one and not easy to digest and contains lots of raisins, almonds and of course butter. You eat lots of "Lebkuchen" over here, kinda ginger bread, the most famous ones come from Nürnberg. We have a broad variety of cookies for this season anyway, YUMMY!
Not to forget about the Christmas Carols like "Silent night", a classical german carol.
You see, this is a season very dear to me :).
I'm looking forward to reading if and how other countries celebrate. Thank you for the lovely idea of starting this thread!
Merry Christmas to all of you :).

woody

I am in Australia too but as my parents are originally from Europe we do the whole roast lunch (usually pork)with all the trimmings (thank God for air conditioning lol), but we do tend to have fruit salad for dessert as the summer fruit is usually fantastic. We decorate with a tree and some lights (don't tend to go too crazy although there are plenty around here that do) We usually open our gifts on Christmas morning although when I was little we open some after midnight Mass. There are usually lots of different "carols by candlelight" events held which is usually great on a lovely summer's evening but this year they have all been rained out so far. There are 2 really big carols by candlelight events one in Sydney and one in Melbourne which are televised and the get some amazing talent to sing the carols.
Australia is such a multicultural country that there are so many different traditions, our neighbours are from Portugal and they have slightly different traditions, it's always fun to learn about them.
Merry Christmas to you all.

gaby4v

Here in Japan, they don't celebrate Christmas. It is not a holiday.
But I celebrate it just like Anne since I am German, but added American flair to it since my husband is American.

Merry Christmas or Frohe Weihnachten to all of you!!!

Mrs B

Some Australians still celebrate as our British ancestors did. Roast pork, turkey, ham and all the rosted vegetables followed by plum pudding with custard, cream and ice cream. Brandy butter is also traditionally served with the plum pudding. All the left overs go to the park the next day for a picnic lunch with extended family.
We put up a tree with decorations, and lights. Some of the decorations were made by our chldren when they were at school. We also decorate the outside of our house with Christmas lights.
Midnight Mass or a family Mass on Christmas Eve followed by wrapping the presents and placing them under the tree to be found the next morning, by children or big kids is exciting.
We always watch Carols by candlelight on Christmas Eve.

Mrs B

Here is a song we sing in Australia about our Christmas. It is sung to the tune of Jingle Bells

Jingle Bells - Aussie

Dashing through the bush in a rusty Holden ute
Kicking up the dust, esky in the boot
Kelpie by my side, singing Christmas songs,
It's summer time and I am in my singlet, short and thongs

Chorus
Oh! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer's day
Oh! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Christmas time is beaut
Oh! What fun it is to ride in a dusty Holden ute

Engine's getting hot, we dodge the kangaroos
The swaggie climbs aboard, he is welcome too
All the family's there, sitting by the pool
Christmas Day the Aussie way by the barbeque

Chorus
Oh! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer's day
Oh! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Christmas time is beaut
Oh! What fun it is to ride in a dusty Holden ute

Come the afternoon, grandpa has a doze
The kids and Uncle Bruce are swimming in their clothes
The time comes round to go, we take a family snap
We pack the car and all shoot through
Before the washing up
Chorus
Oh! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer's day
Oh! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Christmas time is beaut
Oh! What fun it is to ride in a dusty Holden ute

QBeth

Do you provide a translation with this?__ :) :)__

Thanks for sharing this with us! What a hoot!