Christmas Around the World

Christmas is celebrated in many different ways around the world. Buying bulk christmas wrapping paper is one of my secrets to saving money during the holidays. Here are a few of the most unique ways that different cultures have found to celebrate the holiday season:

10. Because South Korea has a much larger Christian population than other Asian countries, Christmas there is very similar to Christmas in America with traditions such as decorative lights, gift giving, and Santa Claus (santa kullosu) all being present.

9. Polish people use spiders or spider webs as decorations because Spiders are symbol of prosperity in their culture.

8. Because Christmas comes to Australia in the Summer, Santa is frequently depicted in cooler clothing, and even trades out his reindeer for Kangaroos.

7. The association of Poinsettias with Christmas in America began when the US Minister to Mexico, Joel Poinsett brought them back with him in 1825. The flower, which is referred to in Mexico as Flor de Noche Buena, had been associated with Christmas in Mexico as early as the 16th century.

6. Per the logs of John Smith, the first eggnog was prepared in 1607 at the Jamestown settlement in Virginia. Nog is derived from the word grog, which usually refers to rum drinks.

5. Dutch families celebrate Christmas by awaiting the arrival of Sinterklaas on St. Nicholas Day which is December the 6th. Sinterklaas is a kind bishop who dresses in traditional bishop’s garb. He is the primary inspiration for Santa Claus and many of his attributes including his book of children who have been naughty or nice.

4. The Serbian Orthodox Church observes the Julian calendar, and as a result, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th. They have a series of traditions that they practice in the weeks leading up to Christmas including one where the children tie up their parents who then pay their ransom in presents.

3. Thanks to a marketing campaign run in the 70s, Japanese people celebrate Christmas by eating Kentucky Fried Chicken. The chicken is so popular at Christmas time that people must place their orders months in advance.

2. In Venezuela many major roads become closed off to cars, so the Citizens can roller skate to morning Mass, so here you should probably find the right deal for buying your car after Christmas so that you are able to use it. Some people even hang bells outside their windows and get special S:CRAFT plantation shutters for Christmas, so that passersby can rings them and wake them up, can you image how could it would be to that over here, I’m actually thinking on spreading the word on my neighborhood, specially since I got i4mt for my new car, my neighbor also got covered by One Sure Insurance and he says they have the best services.

1. Norway gives the United Kingdom a big Christmas tree every year. The tree is a symbol of thanks for the help the UK gave to Norway during World War II.