There are many different ways to celebrate the holiday Christmas around the world. Whether you are in Asia, Europe, The United States or Australia, each group has their similarities and differences when it comes down to Christmas activities and the way the holiday is celebrated.
Christmas in the United States is based on many of the European traditions of Christmas. However, because of the various cultures and influences in the country there are some differences as well. One of the main holiday traditions celebrated in the USA is the Christmas stories surrounding Santa Claus
The United States Post Office actually takes all of the letters that are mailed each year by children to Santa Claus and delivers them to Santa Claus, Indiana where a group of volunteers that call themselves "Santa's Elves" actually writes the kids back.
In Australia, December is the beginning of the summer season. As a result, Christmas is as much of an outdoor activity as it is an indoor activity. While the Australians do the traditional indoor stuff, like open Christmas presents and eat a big family dinner, outdoor activities like backyard fun and picnics are incorporated as well.
The Australian population is 70% Catholic or Protestant so there is a significant religious influence on the holiday season. Special mass services are held at midnight and many attend these services. After the services end, families head on home and attempt to get some sleep so that in the morning they can partake in the present opening and celebration of the holiday.
On the other hand, in Japan Christmas is not a religious holiday at all. Remember, the large majority of the Japanese population are not Christians. Despite this, the Christmas holiday is still celebrated, more for its commercial aspects than its religious aspects.
December 25th is not an official holiday in Japan. Despite this, many Japanese citizens celebrate Christmas in a fashion anyway. One of the most common Christmas dinner activities in Japan is to order a Christmas Chicken Dinner from the fast food franchise, Kentucky Fried Chicken.
China, like Japan also does not celebrate Christmas for its religious aspects considering that most of the Chinese population is not Christian. Although the Chinese celebration lacks much of the religious aspects, many of the commercial Christmas symbols like Santa Claus are celebrated and embraced.
Christmas is more of a prelude to the Chinese New Year, which is the major holiday in China. However, you can most certainly see celebrations in China for Christmas. Many of the commercial aspects like decorations, bright lights and greeting cards are celebrated and participated in by the Chinese people.
The people of France celebrate Christmas very similar to the Americans. One thing they do not do though is decorate Christmas trees. Instead, they spend more of their time creating Christmas stories out of their yards by creating massive displays of characters and ornaments.
One holiday tradition that is very popular in France is the placing of Christmas scenes outside of the home. These scenes offer an illustration of Christmas stories. In particular, the French populate their scenes with little "santons" or "saints". Besides the typical Christmas characters that you see in outdoor scenes, it is not uncommon to see figures of local French leaders and personalities as well.
As you can see there are many different ways that you can celebrate Christmas around the world. Each culture has taken the holiday, adapted their own culture and influences and made it their own. As a result, it has become one of the most universal holidays celebrated. - 16463
Christmas in the United States is based on many of the European traditions of Christmas. However, because of the various cultures and influences in the country there are some differences as well. One of the main holiday traditions celebrated in the USA is the Christmas stories surrounding Santa Claus
The United States Post Office actually takes all of the letters that are mailed each year by children to Santa Claus and delivers them to Santa Claus, Indiana where a group of volunteers that call themselves "Santa's Elves" actually writes the kids back.
In Australia, December is the beginning of the summer season. As a result, Christmas is as much of an outdoor activity as it is an indoor activity. While the Australians do the traditional indoor stuff, like open Christmas presents and eat a big family dinner, outdoor activities like backyard fun and picnics are incorporated as well.
The Australian population is 70% Catholic or Protestant so there is a significant religious influence on the holiday season. Special mass services are held at midnight and many attend these services. After the services end, families head on home and attempt to get some sleep so that in the morning they can partake in the present opening and celebration of the holiday.
On the other hand, in Japan Christmas is not a religious holiday at all. Remember, the large majority of the Japanese population are not Christians. Despite this, the Christmas holiday is still celebrated, more for its commercial aspects than its religious aspects.
December 25th is not an official holiday in Japan. Despite this, many Japanese citizens celebrate Christmas in a fashion anyway. One of the most common Christmas dinner activities in Japan is to order a Christmas Chicken Dinner from the fast food franchise, Kentucky Fried Chicken.
China, like Japan also does not celebrate Christmas for its religious aspects considering that most of the Chinese population is not Christian. Although the Chinese celebration lacks much of the religious aspects, many of the commercial Christmas symbols like Santa Claus are celebrated and embraced.
Christmas is more of a prelude to the Chinese New Year, which is the major holiday in China. However, you can most certainly see celebrations in China for Christmas. Many of the commercial aspects like decorations, bright lights and greeting cards are celebrated and participated in by the Chinese people.
The people of France celebrate Christmas very similar to the Americans. One thing they do not do though is decorate Christmas trees. Instead, they spend more of their time creating Christmas stories out of their yards by creating massive displays of characters and ornaments.
One holiday tradition that is very popular in France is the placing of Christmas scenes outside of the home. These scenes offer an illustration of Christmas stories. In particular, the French populate their scenes with little "santons" or "saints". Besides the typical Christmas characters that you see in outdoor scenes, it is not uncommon to see figures of local French leaders and personalities as well.
As you can see there are many different ways that you can celebrate Christmas around the world. Each culture has taken the holiday, adapted their own culture and influences and made it their own. As a result, it has become one of the most universal holidays celebrated. - 16463
About the Author:
Kerry Beck gives free advent calendars with daily Christmas activities to prepare your family for Christmas. Your family will discover more about Christmas history with some of the daily activities.
