Christmas around the World
Feliz Navidad
Maligayang Pasko
Bon Nadal
Frohe Weihnachten!
メリー クリスマス Mehri Kurisumasu
Merry Christmas
聖誕快樂! shèngdàn kuàilè
Subha Christmas
Христос се роди
Joyeux Noël
Buon Natale
Bella Festas daz Nadal
20 Dec 2011
Austria “Frohe Weihnachten!“
Christmas is a big tradition in Austria. In mid-November, the Christmas markets start.
In December you can
buy Christmas trees in
many places.
The markets sell
traditional goods and
famous Glühwein. The
illumination in the town is
beautiful and everywhere
is traditional decoration.
In the evening of the 24th
we celebrate and sing the
Austrian composed “Stille
Nacht” (Silent Night). Many
people eat fish.
At midnight we go to
church to celebrate.
India
Days before the festival markets take a colorful look as they are decorated with traditional Christmas trees, stars, images of Santa, balloons and festoons.
On the Christmas Day, Christmas gifts are exchanged. It is a time for
family reunions when people staying in different cities rush back to home to celebrate with family and friends.
Christmas Day called 'Bada Din' (Big Day) in Hindi is a national holiday in India and people from all religions join their Christian friends to make the
most of the joyous celebrations.
Mumbai: there is a tradition to depict nativity
scenes and decorate home with big stars.
Goa: Missa de Galo or Cock Crow – Mid night traditional mass till early morning.
“Subha Christmas!“
In south India, light clay lamps are placed on
house walls, doors and rooftops. Some decorate banana or mango trees instead of pine trees.
Japan “メリー クリスマス! “
Though Christmas is not
a national holiday in Japan,
we still celebrate it.
It is a time when
people celebrate the
time with their loved
ones.
The illumination in the
town is beautiful. Shops
and trees are dressed
with gorgeous lights and
decorations.
Parents and couples
exchange gifts.
Mehri Kurisumasu
Mauritius “Joyeux Noël!“
We also dance the Sega and admire the fireworks.
The noise distracts the children while the presents are
being placed under the Christmas tree.
In Mauritius, Santa Claus comes by
boat or waterskiis. He is the
coolest Santa around!
Mexico “¡Feliz Navidad!” There are many special traditions surrounding Christmas in Mexico. Some of these originated in Spain and
others developed due to Mexico's particular history.
The Posadas From the 16th to the 24th processions reenact Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem. These processions lead to a different house every night for the culmination of the posada. Star piñatas are also prepared
during the posadas
Pastorelas Pastorelas are theatrical presentations of the shepherds on their
way to see baby Jesus. These originated during Mexico's colonial period as a way to teach the native people about Catholic dogma,
Nacimientos Nativity scenes are a common Christmas decoration and are a beautiful example of Mexican folk art.
Día de Reyes January 6th is Epiphany, celebrated in Mexico as Día de Reyes. This is when children
traditionally receive gifts, brought by the three wise men. On this day it is also customary to share a Rosca de Reyes among friends and family. This is a special sweet bread in the shape of a wreath.
The festivities last through much of the month of December and last until Epiphany with the celebration of Día de Reyes.
People traditionally
cooked turkey or jam rolls.
For appetizers, tamales are
served; for dessert, doña
pepa nougat.
From the beginning of
November, the city is lit up
and huge Christmas trees
appear in the districts.
All the families prepare a
Nativity Scene. You can
choose different themes
from the coast, the andes
or the jungle. Catedral of Lima
Characato Nativity Scene (Arequipa, south of Peru)
Turkey, doña pepa and tamales
Parties and gifts for
children in the poorest
areas are organized by
various volunteer groups.
“¡Feliz Navidad!” Peru
Philippines “Maligayang Pasko!”
Christmas or "Pasko" is the most
awaited celebration and happiest event in the Philippines. The country celebrates the world's longest Christmas season with carols heard as early as September and the season lasting up until January 9.
Parol or Star Lanterns
The symbol of Christmas
in the Philippines, It
represents the star of
Bethlehem or the
guiding light.
Simbang Gabi or Dawn Masses
An important Filipino Christmas tradition, these nine dawn
Masses refer to the practice of performing nine days of
private or public devotion to obtain special graces.
Originally set at dawn to allow farmers to attend mass, the
novena is completed by all walks of life.
Noche Buena or Christmas Feast
Families gather on Christmas Eve and
serve lechon (roasted pig), pancit,
barbecue, rice, adobo, cakes, lumpia,
etc. There is also an abundance of San
Miguel beer, wine, and liquor!
Serbia “Христос се роди” Hristos se rodi/Christ is born In Serbia the Church is the
Orthodox Church (Greek-ortodox). In this Church we still use the 'Julian' Calendar, which means Christmas
Eve in on 6th January and Christmas Day in on the 7th January!
Cesnica, a special kind of bread, is eaten. Each member of the family gets a piece (and the house does too). There is a coin hidden in
it and whoever gets the coin will be particularly fortunate in the next year!
We have a special way of greeting each other on Christmas which we use instead. One is to say “Christ is
born”(“Hristos se rodi” ) to which the other(s) is to respond: “Truly, he is born” (“Vaistinu se rodi”). After that, you can usually add “merry Christmas.”
On the morning of Christmas Eve the father of the family used to go to the forest to cut a young oak called the 'Badnjak' (Christmas Eve tree). Under the table there should also be some straw as a symbol of the
stable/cave where Jesus was born.
The burning of the Badnjak represents the fire that kept the newly born Jesus warm through the night. The festivity starts off with religious customs and eases into the gathering
around the fire and socializing.
Spain “¡Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo!”
24th December
25th December
31st December
5th January
The night of the 24th is called
“Nochebuena” (the Good
Night) and we celebrate
with our families the day
Jesus was born.
The “Comida del
Día de Navidad” or
lunch on Christmas
day is also a family
event.
Friends and families have
dinner together on
Nochevieja to celebrate
the new year with cava. 12
pieces of grapes are
eaten during the last 12
seconds of the year.
The night of the 5th, “los Tres
Reyes Magos” bring
presents to everybody!! It is
great to wake up on the 6th,
and see all the presents
below the Christmas tree!
“Mantecados”, “Turrón”
and “Polvorones” are
typical Christmas desserts.
Every 6th of
January, we
eat Roscón
de Reyes for
breakfast.
In every house, in
addition to the
Christmas tree, we
build a “Belén”,
which depicts
Bethlehem, where
Jesus was born.
Switzerland
“Frohi Wiehnachte” Swiss German
Although Switzerland barely has 8m inhabitants, it is a
country of rich culture. The four main cultures based on languages and two main religions (Catholic and Protestant) are reflected in
different Christmas traditions, ranging from celebrating midnight masses, over partying with friends to spending some quality time with loved ones.
“Joyeux Noël” French
“Buon Natale” Italian
“Bella Festas daz Nadal” Rumantsch
Star(t)
>25 <25
Mountain City
Christmas Decision Tree
- Skiing with family
- Fondue Chinoise
- Family time
- Fondue Chinoise
- Party with friends
Taiwan
“聖誕快樂!”
Taipei 101 (Xmas Tree) The building demonstrates different designs based on different holidays.
Taiwanese people are very familiar with Christmas although only around 5% of the population practice Christianity. It’s easy to see holiday decorations and hear the Christmas songs on the street. Shops promote the practice of giving Christmas gifts.
Christmas is more for younger people meeting up with friends rather than holding family reunions.
Dec. 25 is also Constitution Day in Taiwan. Until 2001, people had one day-off, a good excuse to party!
shèngdàn kuàilè
United Kingdom “Merry Christmas!” During the weeks before
Christmas, the British love to send Christmas cards, attend carol services and watch nativity plays. Christmas decorations fill the houses and churches.
Every year, the Queen
addresses the nation
with her Christmas
speech at 3pm on
Christmas day.
The main presents are opened late-
morning or afternoon and no UK
household forgets the huge feast of
Christmas lunch/dinner celebrated
by the whole family.
Mince pies are a favourite in the UK
and eaten throughout the day. A
traditional Christmas dinner consists of
roast turkey (or other poultry such as
pheasant, duck or goose), stuffing,
potatoes, brussel sprouts, gravy,
cranberry sauce and pigs in blanket.
The meal ends with a Christmas
pudding and brandy cream.
Unlike our European neighbours who go
to midnight mass on 24th, most British go
to church on the 25th December.
Christmas is celebrated on 25th with the
opening stockings, filled with small gifts,
usually hanging in the bedroom. Then it’s
off to breakfast!
Christmas crackers were introduced by the Victorians – a must when
having Christmas meals. They are cardboard tubes wrapped in bright
Christmas paper, which is pulled at either end by two people until it
splits open with a bang – inside are small toys, gifts and jokes. People
also wear paper crowns on their heads throughout the meal.
Contributors
• Austria – Stefan Reise
• India – Nishant Dobhal
• Japan – Gaku Hiruta
• Mauritius – Cedric Masson
• Mexico – Julieta Dorantes
• Peru – Vanessa Gómez
If you want to contribute to the Christmas Around the World Project, kindly send an
email to [email protected].
• Philippines – Aimee Flordeliza
• Serbia – Slavko Bukvic
• Spain – Mar Morales, Andrea Gonzales and
Marta Amoros
• Switzerland – Alexandre Pomi
• Taiwan – Katrina Hsu
• UK – Christian McDermott
IESE MBA Class of 2012 students
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