Christmas, wherever it is celebrated around the world, cultivates intense feelings of hope, love, joy, and giving to both young and old. However, in every corner of the earth, different customs and traditions are found, which, as expected, are directly linked to the culture of the local population, their habits, way of life, and history. So, let's take a short journey to see how Christmas is celebrated in 5 different parts of the planet!

Netherlands

For most children in the Netherlands, the most important moment of the holidays is several days before Christmas, as on December 5th, the eve of his feast day, Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas) brings them the gifts they have requested. The gift-giving ritual, according to Dutch tradition, starts several days earlier (the second Saturday of November) with the Saint traveling from his residence in Madrid, Spain, to the Low Countries, choosing a different port each year, giving more and more children the chance to see him up close.

Sinterklaas naturally travels with his servants, the Pieten who help him deliver the gifts, but they are also the ones who keep the big book recording all the good or bad deeds of the children from the previous year. The good children will receive their gift, but the naughtier ones will be put in a sack and the Pieten will take them back with them to Spain for a year, to teach them good manners!

Additionally, as part of the gift-giving tradition on the night of December 5th, Sinterklaas parties are held, where treasure hunt games are played with children trying to solve riddles that will give them clues and hints about where the treasure is. The parties do not lack traditional sweets, such as banketletter cookies, which are shaped like the faces of those participating in the celebration, as well as the traditional Christmas cake kerstkrans.

On Christmas Day, the Dutch will spend it more quietly with the participation of the whole family in the festive lunch at noon, and some will go to church. In some areas of the country, Sunday school operates, where the story of Christmas and other traditional stories are narrated.

Cuba

Christmas was banned in Cuba from 1969 to 1998, as the then leader of the country, Fidel Castro, did not want any religious celebrations. They began to be celebrated again and the day was designated as an official holiday only in 1998, in honor of Pope John Paul's visit to the country at the beginning of that year. During the ban, some continued to celebrate Christmas in a very discreet manner, but now the celebrations are much more widespread.

Cubans call Christmas Eve "Nochebuena", which means "Good Night," and it is the night when all family members gather to celebrate and enjoy the main festive meal. The traditional main dish is roast pork and is usually served with fried plantains (a type of banana), rice, and vegetables. Dessert is often rice pudding or sweet potato pudding.

One of the most well-known Christmas celebration events in the country is the parade-festival held in the city of Remedios, called "Las Parrandas". According to tradition, on Christmas Eve of 1820, the city's priest feared that the residents would prefer, after the festive dinner, to return home and sleep rather than attend the Christmas service. For this reason, he enlisted all the children and encouraged them to make so much noise that no one would stay awake! Today, the "Las Parrandas" celebration is a big Christmas party, with lots of music and dancing in all the neighborhoods of the city, with groups competing in singing and for who wears the best costume.

Australia

In Australia, Christmas coincides with the start of the summer holidays, as schools in the country close from mid-December to early February. Regarding festive decorations and customs, Australians more or less follow the pattern observed in most countries around the world. They will hang wreaths on their doors, children will go out for caroling on Christmas Eve, and of course, they will decorate their homes and gardens with Christmas trees and lights.

Additionally, some Australians will organize small competitions in their neighborhoods for the most impressive decorations, and many will include Australian trees and plants in their decor, such as the Christmas Bush and the well-known Poinsettia, which is quite popular.

As expected, the summer climate of the season shapes the Christmas customs in the country, with carols and Christmas songs not referencing snow and cold, but featuring original Australian lyrics and Santa Claus setting aside his reindeer for a while and using kangaroos! Even the traditional treat that children will leave for Santa on the eve of gift delivery is accompanied not by a glass of milk or hot chocolate, but by a glass of cold beer!

Brazil

Many Brazilian Christmas traditions come from Portugal, while several Christmas customs are similar to those in the USA and the United Kingdom. Regarding decorations in the country, nativity scenes known as Presépio are very popular, and Christmas plays called "Os Pastores" (The Shepherds) are also performed.

On Christmas Eve, most Brazilians, especially those who are Catholic, attend the midnight Christmas Mass (Missa do Galo), which concludes at one in the morning. Afterwards, large fireworks displays are held in all major cities and towns.

In Brazil, Santa Claus is called Papai Noel & Bom Velhinho (good old man), and a well-known custom in the country is for small children to leave a sock near a window in their house, where if Papai Noel finds it, he takes it and exchanges it for a gift. As for the food, the favorites at the Christmas table are pork or turkey, salads, and fresh or dried fruits. Everything is served with rice cooked with raisins and a good spoonful of "farofa" (seasoned manioc flour). Popular Christmas desserts include tropical fruits and ice cream.

Japan

Christmas has been established as a celebration in Japan only in recent decades, as the vast majority of the country's residents are not Christians. The celebrations and events of this period for the Japanese have more of a character of spreading joy and love among family members and friends, rather than religious characteristics. We could say that Christmas Eve is celebrated more than Christmas Day itself and has particularly romantic characteristics, as couples will spend time together, strolling and shopping in the cities decorated with lights, dining at a restaurant, and exchanging gifts. In this sense, Christmas Eve in Japan more closely resembles the habits and celebrations of Valentine's Day, which are held in other European countries.

Regarding the meal on Christmas Eve, we can say that the Japanese are quite original compared to other countries, as on that day the consumption of fried chicken from local fast-food restaurants has prevailed. For fast-food chains like KFC, Christmas Eve is the busiest day, with many even making pre-orders to secure the popular dish! However, the traditional sweet of the season for the Japanese is the Christmas Cake, which consists of a sponge cake base topped with strawberries and whipped cream.

Christmas Day in Japan is not an official holiday, with most shops and businesses operating normally. However, for most children, it is a holiday, as the day coincides with the start of the school holidays, due to the upcoming New Year. As for Boxing Day on the 26th, the Japanese will take down the Christmas decorations and start preparations for the New Year celebrations, as New Year's is a very big celebration for the country!