Christmas Holiday Traditions from Around the World

Christmas is a wonderful family holiday and the perfect time to create new traditions and memories. You might have your own family traditions already such as baking cookies, going ice skating or even a family trip to choose the Christmas tree. People across the world celebrate different traditions at Christmas, read on to see if there are some you can adopt for your family.

United States of America

Traditions vary across the country but most towns and villages are lit up with sparkling lights and colourful decorations. Many churches and houses also put up a Nativity scene tableau.

Families open their gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and the Christmas meal features turkey, duck, goose and ham.

Germany

The Germans were the first to use glass ornaments on their trees as decorations. Local families make the decorations and sell them at winter markets held at the beginning of the advent season.

The Christmas Tree also hails from Germany; during the Middle Ages plays were staged to teach peasants the stories of the bible and an evergreen tree was placed on the stage to represent the tree of life.

The first trees were undecorated until one night Martin Luther was out walking in the woods and was so taken by the twinkling stars amongst the evergreens that when he got home he tied candles to his Christmas tree.

Germans have a wonderful tradition known as a Christmas Pickle. The last ornament that is placed on the tree is a glass pickle, and on Christmas morning the first child to find the pickle receives an extra present.

New brides receive a glass carrot ornament to hang on her tree as a symbol of fertility.

Scotland

Christmas in Scotland is a very somber affair which is observed quietly with friends and religious services, however come New Year's Eve the party gets started.

A midnight church service takes place on New Year's Eve and then Hogmanay celebrations begin to welcome in the New Year.

The first person to cross the threshold on New Year's Day predicts the family's luck for the year. The best luck of all comes if the "first foot" is a dark haired man.

Switzerland

In Switzerland gifts are given on St Nicholas Day on December 6th. People put out their shoes before they go to bed and in the morning they find them filled with small gifts, fruit or nuts and special Nicholas candies and cookies. These gifts are meant to be shared, not hoarded for yourself.

Mexico

In Mexico a Fiesta is held and blindfolded children have three chances to break a Pinata which is filled with fruit, candies and nuts.

About The Author If you want to bring some fun into your home this Holiday season then you should think about inviting a Magic Elf to stay. Each year at Thanksgiving Santa sends his elves to stay with children for the Holiday season. On Christmas Eve when Santa comes he'll leave toys and gifts for the kids who have been good, and he'll take the Magic Elf back to the North Pole. Find out how to invite your Magic Elf to stay at http://www.mymagicelf.com