Explore Christmas traditions the world over – no plane tickets required

Mexico

 Christmas celebrations in Mexico can stretch out quite far, beginning with the Feast of La Guadalupana (the saint’s day of Our Lady of Guadualupe) on December 12th and ending with the Epiphany on January 6th. The main celebrations, however, are from December 16th to December 24th with Las Posadas, which translates to The Lodgings or The Inns. This nineday celebration is inherited from Spanish culture and re-enacts Mary and Joseph’s search for an inn as Mary prepares to give birth to Jesus. During each of the nine days, one family hosts a party at their house, while a procession of other residents of the neighbourhood or village, led by the children, go to different houses asking for lodgings with a traditional song. They are refused, again in song, until they reach the host’s house where they gather for a party. On Christmas Eve, the party wraps up with Midnight Mass.

Brazil

Brazil celebrates Christmas right in the middle of summer. Because of this, their Papai Noel (Santa Claus) doesn’t wear warm, woolen red robes. Decked out in red silk, he is believed to be ‘coming to town’ from Greenland, giving him a much less ambiguous home than the North Pole. Another Brazilian tradition is their celebration of “Los Pastores,” or “The Shepherds.” This is a play that many Latin American countries have, but the Brazilians add in a few unique details. This re-enactment of Jesus’ birth features shepherdesses instead of shepherds and a gypsy who tries to kidnap the baby once he’s born. It is a very colourful interpetation.

Iceland

Icelandic poet Jóhannes úr Kötlum re-established the Jólasveinarnir, or Yule Lads, as part of Christmas Tradition in Iceland with a poem in 1932. While they had existed in Icelandic folklore, Kötlum’s poem solidified their modern personalities and roles around the holiday. The Yule Lads are 13 prankster-like figures named after their character traits (like Door-Slammer or Candle-Stealer) that take on Santa’s role in terms of giving out gifts. Icelandic children leave their shoes in their windows over night, starting 13 days before Christmas. Each night, a new Yule Lad comes and leaves them either a present or a potato, depending on if they’ve been good or not.

Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, Christmas is known as Ganna (also spelled Genna), and is primarily a religious holiday with feasting and sport thrown in. Celebrated on January 7th, the church service starts bright and early at 4am. Traditionally, everyone is dressed in white shammas and the priests carry beautifully ornate umbrellas. Everyone in the congregation carries a candle, which is lit as they enter the church. After the three hour ceremony, there is a feast and the men and boys play a game, also called Ganna. This game is similar to hockey and is played with curved sticks and a wooden ball.

India

While Christians are in the minority in India, Christmas is still heavily celebrated in the country because of its colonial history. The tradition was well established when India gained its independence in 1947 and has continued in a secular way. Souvenir and gift shops stock up on Christmas decorations and small presents around the holiday, which are exchanged by many Indians. Indian children receive presents from ‘Christmas Baba’ or ‘Christmas Thaathaa’, who arrives in a horsedrawn cart. Christian Indians celebrate the holiday with Nativity scenes and paper lanterns to depict the Christmas Star.

Latvia

Latvians celebrate Ziemassvêtki, not Christmas. This is a winter festival originating in the region’s celebration of the Winter Solstice. Nowadays, Latvian children receive gifts from Ziemassvêtku vecêtis, a Father Christmas sort of figure, 12 days in a row, starting on December 24th. Another popular custom is “Mummering.” Latvians will dress up in masks and costumes and sing songs outside of their neighbours’ houses, driving away evil spirits. As they go around they have to try to conceal their identities because if someone guesses who they are they have to take their costumes off. Latvia also lays claim to the first Christmas Tree. Way back in 1510, there is reference to a fir tree decorated with straw flowers in the Riga town square.

Philippines

The Philippines is one of a few predominately Christian countries in Asia and takes Christmas very seriously. Beginning on December 16th there are early masses, known as Simbang Gabi, every morning leading up to Christmas. On Christmas Eve, after attending mass, Filipinos go home for a late feast of a meal called Nochebuena (a tradition inherited from early Spanish colonisers). The celebrations continue all night with family and friends stopping in to visit. On Christmas day there is another church service, then families visit each other and exchange gifts.