Christmas is around the corner, so instead of celebrating it the American way, here are some Christmas traditions from around the world. Happy holidays, Eagles!
1. Austria
Frohe Weihnachten! The anticipation of Christmas in Austria is a special time, filled with Christmas markets, holiday treats, and traditions. During this time, the days are slowly getting shorter, and the crisp autumn weather is turning into the bitter, yet exciting winter cold. The Christmas markets in Austria are places of magic and wonder, the smell of Glühwein - mulled wine - and roasted nuts, truly brings the euphoric atmosphere into the holidays. The markets are a place to stroll and enjoy the traditional decorations, handcrafted gifts, and the faint glow of Christmas lights. The traditions during the Christmas season in Austria include Advent, which is not only the expectation of Christmas, but also the celebration of Jesus’s birth using unique traditions and festivities. As well as, the Advent Wreath, a Catholic tradition, which consists of four candles that are lit on the four Sundays leading up to December 24th.
2. Mexico
¡Feliz Navidad! Christmas in Mexico is celebrated from December 12th to January 6th with pozole, tamales, enchiladas, and many desserts and religious traditions. December 12th is the Dia de la Virgin de Guadalupe (Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe) which is a Catholic feast day that celebrates the appearance of the Virgin Mary in Mexico City. Then, from December 16th to the 24th it’s Las Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey to find shelter. During this time, children sing traditional Las Posadas songs, and at the end it’s honored with piñatas, food, and drinks. Finally, it’s almost Christmas, and on Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) the anticipation is memorialized by attending midnight mass and eating an abundance of good food like tamales, bunuelos, pan dulce, arroz con leche, and many more delicious savory and sweet foods. On Christmas Day, or Navidad, it’s time for relaxing with family, church, and more food. Lastly, on January 6th, it is Día de Los Reyes (Three Kings Day) where children wake up to presents and the smell of sweet bread, Rosca de Reyes (Wreath of the Kings).
3. Chile
¡Felices Pascuas! Chileans wave adiós to the cold winter months, and welcome the warm summer weather as Christmas nears. To take a break from the hot temperatures, the classic Yuletide drink, ‘cola de mono,’ or monkey’s tail, is enjoyed and made from ingredients like sugar, cinnamon, coffee, and milk. It wouldn’t be Christmas in Chile without the magic of Viejito Pascuero (Santa Claus or Old Man Christmas) who brings gifts for children and is recognized by his classic red and white outfit, or a llama by his side in agricultural regions. Just like in Mexico, Chile also celebrates Noche Buena, but instead they celebrate it during the nine days that lead up to Christmas. This time is one for the preparation of prayers for December 24th. Christmas Eve starts with families gathering to go to midnight mass, and ends with children opening their presents and a delicious meal consisting of asado (Chilean barbeque), cazuela de ave, pan de pascua, and leche asada. Finally, it’s Christmas day, a time to relax with your family at the beach or in the comfort of your own home, enjoy the food from the night before, and appreciate the holiday season.
4. Italy
Buon Natale! Like the other countries mentioned, Christmas in Italy also has some religious aspects to it. On December 6th, when the holiday season officially starts, it’s the Day of Immaculate Conception, which respects the purity of the Virgin Mary and honors the beginning of the holiday season. This is the time for families to gather in their homes, decorate for the Christmas season, bake goods, and wrap presents. Vigilia di Natale, or Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, is celebrated differently across Italy. Some choose to have a rich and heavy dinner on Christmas Eve, while others choose to have a light dinner with no meat, in order to save room for a big Christmas brunch the next day. Although, something that almost everyone does in Italy is go to midnight mass, and after you have a drink to toast to the season, children set up milk and cookies to thank Babbo Natale for their gifts.
5. Spain
¡Feliz Navidad! Christmas in Spain is a holiday season that lasts much longer that you’d think. To kick off the holiday season, on December 22nd people around Spain are glued to their televisions, waiting for the lottery draw. Friends and family hover over the television, filled with the hope that they might have a chance to win the lottery. Even if they don’t, the anticipation for Christmas Eve and Day is one that can cure the disappointment of not collecting your prize money. Around Spain, you can find tons of Christmas trees around Town Squares, and beautiful golden lights that decorate the outside of department stores. On the 24th, families have reunions and celebrate the season while enjoying Spanish delicacies like croquetas, turrón, and paella. Then on the 25th, families celebrate together once again, and eat even more delicious meals like prawns and langoustines for appetizers, suckling pig or lamb for the main meal, and desserts like nougat and shortbread. Soon after Christmas, it’s Innocent Saints Day, which honors innocents killed in Bethlehem, but it also has a humorous aspect to it, due to the “Feast of Fools” that started in the Middle Ages. The “feast” is almost like America’s April Fool’s day, you’re supposed to play a joke or trick on someone. Three days later, it’s New Years Eve where everyone toasts to the new year and eats 12 grapes on a stick, wishing for 12 months of luck and prosperity. Lastly, just like in Mexico, everyone celebrates Three Kings Day, or El Día de los Reyes Magos, in Spain. Just like Santa Claus, children ask the three kings, Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, for whatever they most desire, and this wish will be fulfilled depending on how well-behaved they were during the past year.
*Disclaimer: Not all families have the same traditions, these are just examples.
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