Celebrating The Holidays Around the World

Christmas time is celebrated worldwide. The holiday season is a special time for families and friends to give thanks, share gifts, and join in the holiday spirit, all over the world. Read on for fun facts about holiday traditions celebrated in all five of EdOdyssey’s locations! 

Peru

Peru celebrates Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena Similar to other Latin American countries. Gifts are placed near the Niño Jesus (Baby Jesus) in the manger scene in homes. The nativity scene, is common imagery in Latin American countries. 

Another impressive tradition for Peruvians is fireworks on Christmas Eve. In December, markets and streets sell many fireworks. The idea is to set off fireworks at midnight to celebrate, and families enjoy them as it lights up the night sky over the city (Salazar). 

A Peruvian Christmas would not be the same without hot chocolate and panettone. Hot chocolate is primarily drank during the holiday season in Peru and panettone, a sweet cake bread, has become a staple in many households. These items seem normal in the northern hemisphere, but remember, it’s actually summer time in Peru during Christmas! Regardless of the hot weather, they’re happy to enjoy their hot cocoa and Santa Claus still wears his full suit with boats! 

Spain 

Before schools go on Christmas vacation, many teachers and students have an “amigo invisible” or invisible friend similar to Secret Santa in the USA. Typically, groups of teachers and students do this secret gift exchange with small, surprise presents and everyone tries to guess who their invisible friend is!

Christmas always come a few days early for Spain, particularly on December 22, where the winning numbers of the Christmas Lottery are announced. This lottery is known as “el gordo”, which translates to the “fat (or big) one” since people from all around the country throw in a few euros for this holiday tradition. Many people buy tickets to see if they’ll win the lucky number. 

On Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena, is generally spent with loved ones and many houses prepare Seven Fishes for their meals. Most families eat their main Christmas feasts before heading to midnight mass, called the Misa del Gallo. In many homes, Santa Claus, or Papa Noel, brings gifts to children who have been good. 

On December 28, Spain celebrates Día de los Santos Inocentes (Holy Innocents’ Day). This is another tradition that has evolved over time that’s become a Spanish April Fool’s Day where people play pranks on each other. 

Photo by Chris Oakley, Flickr

On New Year’s Eve, Nochevieja, crowds gather in public or at home to eat the 12 uvas de la suerte (12 lucky grapes) during the final moments of the old year, so that luck will be on their side during the year to come (“Christmas in Spain”). In Madrid, people from near and far pack La Puerta del Sol in the city center hours before midnight. At midnight, the bell in the La Puerta del Sol chimes 12 times. For each chime, people need to throw a grape in their mouth, and it’s bad luck to not finish them! Many Spaniards watch the show of Puerta del Sol and follow along on TV to avoid the crowds!

Italy

In Italy, cities have beautiful decorative lighting on the streets as people wish others “Buon Natale” (“Good Nativity”). Traditionally, the central Christmas decoration is the Nativity scene, known as a “presepe”. These can be found in churches, public areas, and often displayed in homes. Novena, a celebration eight days before Christmas, is when children will recite poems and songs and write letters to their parents (Joshua Expeditions).

Italy’s whole holiday season is about spending time with family! There's always tons of Italian Christmas cake, known as panettone, and lots and lots of hearty comfort food, Italian style. On Christmas Eve, it's common that a light meal is shared before families go to the Midnight Mass together. When they return home, it’s customary to have a slice of panettone and hot chocolate! 

Following Christmas Day, Italians continue festivities through January 6, known as the Epiphany, where they spend time with family and children receive gifts, delivered by Befana, an older woman who is said to arrive on a broomstick and slide down chimneys to fill childrens’ stockings (Joshua Expeditions).

China 

Photo by Thomas Galvez, Flickr

Compared to most countries who celebrate Christmas, China celebrates the day as a time to go out and hang out with friends, see a movie, or even go shopping. It is common for students of all ages to decorate and exchange cards (CLI Team). It’s also expected to hear popular Christmas songs, such as Jingle Bells, being played in malls and public spaces, where buildings are decorated with twinkling lights and holiday decor. 

One interesting tradition is exchanging a Christmas apple, also known as the “Peace Apple,” which indicates having a peaceful night and best wishes for the new year!

Quebec City, Canada

The Christmas tree, decorations, and mistletoe became modern holiday symbols in Quebec during the late 19th century. Besides midnight mass, contemporary Christmas celebrations include a visit with Santa Claus, wreaths, and greeting cards. Symbolic traditions, such as tinsel and lights, are shared by all North American families, but there is still a desire to keep Christmas traditional with native roots, by continuing to share old folk tales and legends (Par Warren). 

As well as our own - USA 

The U.S. has many different traditions and ways that people celebrate the holidays, because of its multicultural nature. Many customs are similar to ones in Europe, Central America and South America.

However, there is a wide variety of religious celebrations beyond Christmas as people have immigrated from all around the world. Many Americans celebrate their heritage, religious roots, and cultural values to observe holidays, such as Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. 

Although the weather varies a lot on location during the holiday season across the US, some common aspects of the holiday season  involve spending time with loved ones, exchanging presents, and taking part in festive parties. Even in the most diverse neighborhoods, many neighborhoods in major cities come together to expo their holiday spirit with lights and decorations where neighbors show off their creativeness and holiday spirit! 

All of us here at EdOdyssey wish you a happy holiday wherever you might be around the world!  If you haven’t already, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram so you can stay connected with us as the new year approaches!

Director of Program Development, Joe Meringolo, and Program Coordinator for Italy, Rachel Zitin, also contributed to this blog.

Sources

“Buon Natale a Tutti: Christmas in Italy.” Joshua Expeditions, 20 Dec. 2012, www.joshuaexpeditions.org/buon-natale-a-tutti-christmas-in-italy/.

“CHRISTMAS IN SPAIN.” Spanish Christmas Traditions - Don Quijote, www.donquijote.org/spanish-culture/holidays/christmas/. 

CLI TEAM. “Things to Know About Christmas in China.” CLI, 7 Oct. 2019, www.studycli.org/things-to-know-about-christmas-in-china/ 

Gallagher, Tom. “Latino Christmas: Nativities of Latin America.” National Catholic Reporter, 24 Dec. 2009, www.ncronline.org/news/spirituality/latino-christmas-nativities-latin-america. 

Par Warren, Jean-Philippe. “Articles: Encyclopédie Du Patrimoine Culturel De L'Amérique Française – Histoire, Culture, Religion, Héritage.” Articles | Encyclopédie Du Patrimoine Culturel De L'Amérique Française, 15 Dec. 2008, www.ameriquefrancaise.org/en/article-478/Christmas_Celebrations.html 

Salazar, Daniel. “Fireworks on Christmas - Global Volunteers Service Programs.” Global Volunteers, 19 May 2018, www.globalvolunteers.org/fireworks-on-christmas/