.

Christmas Holiday

Christmas Around The World

The Christmas Holiday has meaning to people worldwide, but Christmas Holiday Traditions vary from country to country. Christmas Celebrations Around the World have special meaning to the people who celebrate the christmas holiday. Here is a Christmas Holiday Guide to just a few of the Christmas Traditions Around the World.

In Australia, December 25 falls in the summer. So Australians often celebrate Christmas Day with outdoor activities like barbecues and beach parties. But they also enjoy decorations and some traditional Christmas foods such as ham, turkey, and plum pudding.

China

The number of Christians in China is small, so not everyone there celebrates Christmas. But the traditions of decorating and gift giving are becoming more popular, and not just among Christians. Many enjoy decorating Christmas trees with paper flowers, chains, and lanterns. Christmas 2011 will probably be the biggest Christmas in China yet.

Germany

Germans celebrate the Christmas season with wreaths of holly that have four candles in the center. They light one candle each Sunday for the three Sundays before Christmas, and light the fourth one on Christmas Eve. Germany children enjoy counting the days until Christmas Day with advent calendars. They open one window each day until Christmas.

Greece

Children in Greece go from house to house on Christmas Eve and sing Christmas songs. Often they receive treats from the people they sing to. The Greeks don’t traditionally use Christmas trees, but have other special decorations that include wooden crosses and basil leaves.

Peru

Nativity scenes are popular in Peruvian homes and churches. With Peru in the southern hemisphere, Christmas falls during the summer months. Their largest Christmas celebration is not on Christmas morning, but takes place on December 24. After an evening church service they all go home to open presents and eat a large Christmas feast.

South Africa

Native Africans celebrate the week of Christmas with singing, dancing, and enjoying good food. English-speaking children hang stockings and follow other English Christmas traditions including sharing goods with the poor on December 26. They might also share Christmas quotes, songs, and pantomimes with each other. All enjoy decorating and exchanging gifts and taking part in outdoor activities.