If it is presents that you are after than the German’s have it best. After all, they don’t have to wait until December 25 for gifts as Saint Nicholas stops over on the night between December 5 and 6 and fills their boots with candy, oranges and nuts. If the children have been naughty that year though, he leaves twigs instead. He has a black book he consults, with a list of who’s been bad and who’s been good.
They also have a celestial figure called Christ Child. He is an angel, sent out on Christmas Eve, in a glowing robe and a king-like crown. He brings with him gifts for the villagers.
Alternatively, there’s a special room that’s kept locked, and where all the presents are stored, in some cases, all year round. A bell is rung when this room is unlocked. The children, all wide-eyed and excited, go inside it to also find a lit Christmas tree. Carols are sang and stories told, before or in some cases, after the children have opened their presents.
Hence, Germans have two opportunities to receive gifts. And what child wouldn’t want to live in a country like that?
In the Czech Republic, some celebrate Christmas on December 24. You get presents after the dinner while Christmas and Boxing Day are for visiting family members. In their homes, a special type of fish called kapr is served and apparently it smells divine. It is accompanied by a soup called hraskova, which includes tasty little potato balls.
Meanwhile, on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, locals and tourists alike crowd the church doorways and stand on the roof to watch the spectacular annual procession. Galloping horsemen and police mounted on Arabian horses lead the parade. Christian homes here are marked by a painted cross over the door and each home displays a homemade manger scene. A star is set up on a pole in the village square.
In Sweden, they enjoy a drink called glögg. It’s a mulled wine of sorts. Sometimes it has honey and spices, and it comes in two varieties: an alcoholic one for those who want to let their hair down and non-alcoholic one for those to whom the effects of alcohol are unnecessary. And what’s the best way to enjoy glögg? Well, simply glug it.
Christmas in South Africa is a summer holiday. And in December, the southern summer brings magnificent days of sunshine that carry many revellers to the beaches, the rivers, and the shaded mountain slopes. Many South Africans have a Christmas dinner in the open-air.
In Russia, the religious celebrate Christmas on January 7. However, on New Year’s Day, they have a man called Father Frost and he is their answer to Father Christmas. He has a helper called Sneguruchka (which translates to Little Snow Girl) and she is the granddaughter of Father Frost. She assists him with the distribution of presents.
In Spain, meanwhile, they have a very interesting New Year’s Eve, which precedes their Christmas celebration, for that takes place on January 6. Twelve grapes are eaten 12 seconds before midnight. One grape per second.