Just as Christmas is a magical, happy holiday in the U.S., it’s also a special time in other countries. Today, we’re exploring Christmas in Germany, Australia, and England.
Germany
Who can resist Germany’s Christmas markets with their festive stalls that sell everything from wooden marionettes to silk clothes to fine jewelry? The markets, which open after Thanksgiving and run every day until Christmas Eve, are a surefire way to get in the Christmas spirit and find unique and beautiful gifts for everyone.
Christmas is a month-long celebration in Germany, and families create an advent wreath four weeks before Christmas. Each Sunday, they light a candle on the wreath. Advent calendars that reveal new pictures each day are also popular with children. As in the U.S., German children write letters to St. Nicholas asking for presents, and Christmas trees are decorated with lights and ornaments. In some areas, children leave shoes full of hay outside the door to feed St. Nicholas’ horse. Christmas Day is a family day, with church services and a Christmas dinner.
Australia
In Australia, December 25 falls during summer vacation, so outdoor activities play a large role in their celebrations. Christmas Day is often spent swimming, surfing, or camping, and Christmas dinner is likely to include something cooked on the grill along with traditional Christmas pudding.
Australians begin celebrating Christmas in late November, and they decorate their homes with summer flowers and Christmas trees. As our children do, Australian children look forward to Santa’s visit, while others await Father Christmas. Families attend church or midnight mass on Christmas Eve and open gifts on Christmas morning before breakfast. On Boxing Day, December 26, many Australians leave tips for those who serve them during the year, such as their postal carrier and butcher.
England
Christmas is England’s most popular holiday and is steeped in traditions going back centuries. Britons decorate with greenery such as holly and ivy, and many homes hang mistletoe. Carolers walk from house to house, singing Christmas carols for treats.
On Christmas Eve, families wrap presents and hang stockings before gathering to hear Christmas stories. The children write a letter to Father Christmas asking for gifts, then put the letter in the fire so their wishes travel up the chimney to Father’s ears. After opening gifts on Christmas Day, families enjoy a dinner that traditionally includes roast goose with stuffing or roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. Each person sits down to a Christmas cracker, which is a paper tube full of gifts, jokes, and paper hats.
After dinner, families listen to the Queen’s annual Christmas message on radio or television. As in Australia, the day after Christmas is Boxing Day, which used to be the day donations were given to the poor. Today, it’s a day to recognize people who help during the year by giving small gifts and money.
What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
6 Comments
Comment by Krista — December 17, 2011 @ 5:17 pm
I was in Germany for Christmas last year, Australia this year, and England is my dream destination.
Comment by Melissa — December 17, 2011 @ 5:56 pm
This year, I especially loved seeing St Nicholas and Grampus walking around on St Nicholas Day in the small villages in the Bavarian region of Germany. If you have been bad Grampus will haunt you and take you away. If you have been good St Nicholas will give you a treat. Also in Germany I liked the must have beverage – Glühwein but for me found the Hungarian version to be more flavorful.
Comment by Dora Theiss — December 17, 2011 @ 7:09 pm
Sounds like fun Krista! I think my dream destination changes each year.
Comment by Dora Theiss — December 17, 2011 @ 7:13 pm
I too loved seeing St Nicholas walking around while in Germany and I enjoyed sipping Glühwein. I’d love to try the Hungarian version. Did you collect any of the mugs?
Comment by Aryanna Valley — January 28, 2012 @ 8:45 pm
Awesome blog. Awesome.
Comment by Hassan Nalls — January 29, 2012 @ 10:02 am
Thank you for your blog article. Wonderful.
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