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Click the link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_in_Australia#:~:text=Traditions%20include%20decorated%20hams%2C%20roast,cold%20meats%2C%20seafood%20and%20salad.. If you think the Australian holiday tradition is best, give me a thumbs up.

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Christmas traditions in Australia, like Christmas in New Zealand, have many similarities to British, Irish, American and Canadian traditions, including traditional Christmas symbols featuring winter iconography. This means a red fur-coated Father Christmas or Santa Claus riding a sleigh, songs such as " Jingle Bells", and various Christmas scenes on Christmas cards and decorations. However, the timing of Christmas occurring during the Southern Hemisphere's summer season has resulted in the development of some local traditions as a result of the warmer weather.

The traditional Christmas tree is central to Christmas decorations and strings of lights and tinsel are standard. Decorations appear in stores and on streets starting in November and are commonplace by early December. Many homeowners decorate the exterior of their houses. Displays range from modest to elaborate, sometimes with hundreds of lights and decorations depicting seasonal motifs such as Christmas trees, Santa Claus, reindeer, or nativity scenes. Particular regions have a tradition for elaborate displays, and attract a great amount of pedestrian and vehicular traffic during the Christmas season. This is despite the longer days, resulting in sunset occurring after 8 p.m. in areas with daylight saving.

Most workplaces conduct a "Christmas Party" sometime during December, but rarely on Christmas Eve itself. As many people take their holidays between Christmas and New Year's Day, and many workplaces completely close for that period, these parties are effectively an end of the year or break-up party and frequently feature little or no reference to Christmas itself. Likewise, schools, TAFE (vocational training), and universities break for summer holidays. Schools typically end in the week before Christmas, to recommence in late January or early February. Following Christmas, many churches will change their evening meetings to a less formal format, while many hobby clubs also suspend or alter their meetings in this period.

In the lead up to Christmas, many businesses and residential houses will be decorated with Christmas lights and arrangements. It is common to drive around of an evening to look at lights from the car, or for families to walk the residential streets to see front yard displays. Some local councils will hold street light competitions, and maps are regularly posted highlighting the best street light displays.

On Christmas Eve, the children are told, Father Christmas or Santa Claus visits houses placing presents for children under the Christmas tree or in stockings or sacks which are usually hung by a fireplace. In recent decades many new apartments and homes have been built without traditional combustion fireplaces, however with some innovation the tradition persists. Snacks and beverages may be left out for Santa to consume during his visit, often milk and cookies, or a beer. Carrots are also commonly left for Santa's reindeer. The gifts are opened the next morning, on Christmas Day.

Families traditionally gather for a Christmas Day lunch. Traditions include decorated hams, roast turkey, roast chicken, salads and roast vegetables. Christmas crackers are pulled before eating. More recently, as appropriate to the often hotter weather of the day, it has become popular to serve local seasonal produce such as cold meats, seafood and salad. Similarly, dessert also includes a mix of traditional winter Christmas food (such as plum pudding with brandy butter, fruit mince pies, and trifle) alongside local traditions such as pavlova, and fresh fruit such as berries and kiwifruit. Candy canes are a popular confectionery for the children's table during the Christmas period.

by Michael Bublé re-enters the album charts every year at Christmas time until the new year, generally reaching number 1 or the top 5. Similarly, " All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey re-enters the singles charts each year until the new year.

As Christmas falls in summer, televised Christmas specials are not a large part of Australian Christmas traditions, unlike in the United Kingdom, in which it is one of the most important days for television ratings. Television ratings in Australia are not taken during the summer and schedules are mostly filled with repeats of old programs or previously cancelled shows. Some locally produced programs have a Christmas special, though often it will be shown early December and not on Christmas Day itself. Many television stations rerun Christmas-themed films in the weeks leading up to and including Christmas Day, such as It's A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Polar Express, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas and various film versions of A Christmas Carol. Outdoor activities such as street cricket or swimming are popular ways to spend Christmas Day.

Some Australian songwriters and authors have occasionally depicted Santa in "Australian"-style clothing including an Akubra hat, with warm-weather clothing and thongs, and riding in a ute pulled by kangaroos, (e.g. Six White Boomers by Rolf Harris). There are also a small number of popularly recognised original Australian Christmas songs, including Paul Kelly's How to Make Gravy, Colin Buchanan's Aussie Jingle Bells and Tim Minchin's White Wine in the Sun but these depictions have not replaced mainstream iconography.

The tradition of sending Christmas cards is widely practised in Australia. The price of a Christmas postage stamp is lower than that for a standard letter; senders are required to mark the envelope "card only" when using the lower priced stamps.

Christmas Day and New Years Day are public holidays in Australia, along with Boxing Day except in South Australia. Proclamation Day (28 December) is a public holiday now held on 26 December to provide uniformity with other states.

Local traditions

Carols in the Domain has traditionally taken place in Sydney the Saturday before Christmas Eve exclusive. However, since 2016 it has been held on the Sunday next before Christmas Eve exclusive.

Special events for international tourists away from their families are held on Bondi Beach in Sydney. These may involve a turkey barbecue and such humorous stunts as Santa surfing in to appear to the crowd.

A popular tradition celebrated in Adelaide is the Adelaide Christmas Pageant. This parade is the largest of its kind in the world, attracting crowds of over 400,000 people. Begun in 1933 by the department store John Martins, the pageant is staged in early November every year, usually on a Saturday morning, marking the start of the Christmas season. It comprises a procession of floats, bands, clowns, dancing groups, and walking performers, all culminating in the arrival of Father Christmas. At the terminus of the pageant Father Christmas proceeded to the Magic Cave in the store (the event is no longer sponsored by a department store, and from 2019 the pageant finishes at the Adelaide Town Hall). Smaller scale pageants are also held in regional centres.

South Australia does not have a Boxing Day holiday. Rather, the weekday following Christmas Day being the Proclamation Day holiday. Christmas Eve, from 7:00 pm to midnight is now a Public Holiday.

Carols by Candlelight is a tradition that started in Melbourne in 1938 and has since spread around Australia and the world. At the event people gather on Christmas Eve, usually outdoors, to sing carols by candlelight in a large-scale concert style event. The Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight which takes place at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Christmas Eve, is televised nationwide and it has become a tradition for many Australians to watch the performance.

The Perth Christmas Pageant has been run in the central business district since 1972. It is organised by Seven West Media.

Between 1999 and 2016, the City of Perth ran an annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Since 2017, it has been replaced with the Christmas Lights Trail, in which various Christmas-themed light displays are put around the City of Perth. The event runs from late November to either late December or early January.

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Christmas traditions in Australia, like Christmas in New Zealand, have many similarities to British, Irish, American and Canadian traditions, including traditional Christmas symbols featuring winter iconography. This means a red fur-coated Father Christmas or Santa Claus riding a sleigh, songs such as " Jingle Bells", and various Christmas scenes on Christmas cards and decorations.

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Click the link: https://www.trafalgar.com/real-word/facts-about-christmas-china/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20most%20common,'%20and%20'Merry%20Christmas'.. If you think the Chinese holiday tradition is best, give me a thumbs up.

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While Christmas - and Christianity - have long been banned in China, a commercialised version of Christmas has grown in popularity over recent years. While you'll still see classic Christmas decorations like Christmas trees and lights, the holiday has developed its own unique Chinese flair. From a sax-playing Santa to gifting apples on Christmas Eve, here are 6 fascinating facts about Christmas in China.

1. Christmas in China is more like Valentine's Day

Christmas in Mainland China is not a public holiday and is not related to religion at all. It's more of a novelty day like Valentine's Day, rather than a religious celebration. But you'll still see the malls and streets of the big cities filled with Christmas decorations, fir trees, Santa Claus and carols. A shopping mall in Xi'an once built a huge 65-square-metre gingerbread house, while a 9-metre Christmas tree (Asia's tallest) was made of LEGOS!
EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF: Best of China with Yangtze Cruise
Despite the incredible decorations, Christmas is more of a lighthearted day for going out with friends, rather than gathering with family. Instead of going to church, locals like to go shopping or ice skating, or head to karaoke bars and cinemas.

Young couples can also see it as a romantic day for gift giving and expressing their love for each other. The department stores take advantage of this and put on annual events and big sales, and the locals like to get out into the festive atmosphere and snag some bargains.

If you're in Hong Kong or Macau, you'll get a two-day public holiday over Christmas and a more traditional Christmas celebration, as these regions are more influenced by their British and Portuguese history.
EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF: Hong Kong and Macau Experience

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6 facts you probably don't know about Christmas in China

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While Christmas - and Christianity - have long been banned in China, a commercialised version of Christmas has grown in popularity over recent years. While you'll still see classic Christmas decorations like Christmas trees and lights, the holiday has developed its own unique Chinese flair.

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Click the link: https://www.viaretravel.com/en/brazilian-holiday-traditions#:~:text=Most%20Brazilians%20celebrate%20the%20holiday,until%20midnight%20to%20have%20dinner! If you like the Brazilian holiday traditions best, give me a thumbs up.

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Our Favorite Brazilian Holiday Traditions

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The holidays in Brazil are not unlike many other parts of the world, especially where there is a strong Christian tradition as is the case here.

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Click the link: https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/nigeria.shtml. If you think the Nigerian holiday tradition is best, give me a thumbs up.

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Christmas in Nigeria on whychristmas?com

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Find out how Christmas is celebrated in Nigeria.

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Click the link: https://alpinefrenchschool.com/blog/some-french-christmas-traditions/#:~:text=Christmas%20Dinner,13%20different%20desserts%20are%20eaten!. If you think the French holiday tradition is best, give me a thumbs up.

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Advent calendars - les calendriers de l'Avent

French children open Advent Calendars like in many other countries during the month of December leading up to Christmas.

Postcards from Père Noël

Letters from French kids to Father Christmas always receive a response from Santa. Since 1962, France has had a law that stipulates any letter to Santa must be responded to in the form of a postcard. The law ensures that each child receives a reply to his/her letter to Santa making thousands of happy children each year! The postmen are happy to get into the Christmas spirit and deliver Santa's replies.

The nativity scene

In French this is known as the "crèche" and French families who have a nativity scene often really go to town with this and include all kinds of figures not just Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

La Chandeleur

This is the 2nd February when nativity scenes are displayed until. This is 40 days after Christmas Day

Le Réveillon de Noël

This is Christmas Eve dinner. At around midnight, French families eat a special meal to celebrate the very beginning of Christmas Day.

Père Fouettard

In certain regions of France in the past, the tradition was that Père Fouettard would accompany Père Noël to spank naughty children! This tradition is now somewhat outdated as it isn't in line with current parenting practice!

Shoes by the Fire

In other countries, the tradition varies slightly with stockings and nibbles and drinks for Father Christmas, but French children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope that Father Christmas will fill them with presents.

Christmas Dinner

Dishes might include roast turkey with chestnuts or roast goose, oysters, foie gras, lobster, venison and cheeses. For dessert, a chocolate sponge cake log called a bûche de Noël is normally eaten. Another celebration, in some parts of France, is that 13 different desserts are eaten!

La fêtes des Rois & La Galette des Rois

On January 6th, this is called Kings' Day, Three Kings' Day and Epiphany and in France, there is a tradition which means that French families will buy a 'Galette des Rois' which is a special tart and a small porcelain object called a 'fève' is hidden inside and the person who gets this in their portion is proclaimed the king (or queen) for the day and wears a pretend crown and can choose his king/queen

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Some French Christmas Traditions - Alpine French School

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Advent calendars - les calendriers de l'Avent French children open Advent Calendars like in many other countries during the month of December leading up to Christmas. Postcards from Père Noël Letters from French kids to Father Christmas always receive a response from Santa. Since 1962, France has had a law that stipulates any letter...

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Click this link: https://www.greece-is.com/6-reasons-christmas-in-greece-is-not-like-anywhere-else/. If you like the Grecian holiday tradition best, give me a thumbs up.

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Greek Santa

Walking in the Christmas markets of Greek towns, or past the elaborately decorated windows of shops large and small, one will, of course, see the familiar cheery, rotund, red-suited and hatted figure who is the universal symbol of Christmas.

Yet in Greece, technically speaking, this figure is not jolly Saint Nick, but a different saint altogether.

While today Greeks have embraced much of the modern mythology around this gift-bearing avatar (lives in the North Pole, has flying reindeer, fashions toys using elf labor, etc), in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the saint most associated with the giving of gifts around Christmas is not Saint Nicholas, but another saint from the same century- Basil the Great, a.k.a. Basil of Caesarea. As such, the Greek for Santa Claus is "Aghios Vasilis", meaning Saint Basil.

One of the Three Hierarchs who helped shape the Christian theology in the 4th century, St Basil was known for caring for the weak, building a hospital and hospice and dedicating his family's inheritance to benefit the poor. His feast day is celebrated on January 1st, which brings us to the next point on our list...

No Gifts on Christmas Day?

While Christmas Day is celebrated with big family dinners, sweet treats and joy, traditionally, there's one thing that makes the day different than in most parts of the Christmas-celebrating world: there are often no gifts. Instead, presents are customarily handed out on New Year's, in celebration of the feast day of "Greek Santa", Aghios Vasilis.

This is also when Greeks cut the traditional New Year's cake, called the Vasilopita, which contains a coin or charm hidden in the dough-the person to find it in their slice, it is said, will be blessed with good fortune for the year.

This tradition is said to be based on a tale involving Aghios Vasilis, who once found himself in possession of many valuables belonging to the citizens of Caesarea with no way of knowing what belonged to whom (tellings differ as to why they were collected). As a solution, he had them all baked into buns, and handed them out to the people.

(Still need help picking out gifts? Find a list of our best present ideas for 2019-2020 here).

Oh Christmas Boat, Oh Christmas Boat

While Saint Basil is the star of the show, Saint Nicholas (whose feast day is in December) also has a place in Greek Christmas celebrations. The patron saint of sailors, he is honored during the whole of the holiday period with decorated boats, often found where you would expect to see a Christmas tree.

In the old days, the wives and children of sailors would craft decorative boats themselves during the holiday period. Today, in ports and marinas you'll see many a life-sized vessel bedecked in lights in honor of this tradition, while small caiques are often set up in town squares (especially in seaside areas and on the islands), and fairylight-strewn model boats become the focal point in many homes.

Of course, the Christmas tree has long been warmly adopted as a symbol of the holidays in Greece just as elsewhere; still, many Greeks keep up the old tradition as well, and so you will often see boats and trees side by side.

Kalanda - the Greek Carols

Caroling is a long-standing tradition in Greece, but the carols, called kalanda, are quite different from famous melodies such as "O Holy Night" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

Aside from the fact that they're usually accompanied by the high-pitched ringing of the triangle, the rhythm of the songs can - to the ear of an outsider, sound a bit strange - a fact that is explained by their roots: the much different musical traditions of Byzantine and Roman times. The lyrics of the songs tell Christian stories referring to the events that took place around the birth of Christ.

The kalanda are performed mostly by young children, who are rewarded by their parents and those who choose to open their doors with some pocket change and sweets. They're performed three times throughout the holidays: on Christmas (Eve & Day), New Year's (Eve & Day), and Epiphany (see next point on our list).

Epiphany

New Year's marks the end of the year, but not of the holiday season. On January 6 (which is also a bank holiday), Greeks commemorate the baptism of Christ in the final celebration of the winter holidays, the Epiphany, also referred to as Theophany or Ta Fota (The Lights). It's one of the most important days celebrated by Christians the world over, but while western denominations focus more on the visit of the three wise men to baby Jesus, followers of the Orthodox Church honor the presence of God during his baptism.

Once again, children go door to door singing the kalanda, telling the story. Naturally, the day has also come to symbolize Holy Water, which explains the other famous customs carried out on this day.

The service of the Great Sanctification of Water is held near bodies of water across the country (seas, lakes, rivers - the biggest celebration of all takes place at the port of Piraeus). Following church services, people gather by the edge of the water, which the priest blesses by casting a cross into it. Young men then dive in to retrieve it; the one who makes it through the cold water to the cross first, and returns it to the priest, is awarded with a special blessing, and often cash gifts from the crowd.

Read more about the Epiphany here.

The Food

Finally, like everywhere else in the world, a big holiday like Christmas obviously comes with special treats. In Greece, the food on the table varies from region to region (in Kozani, for example, it wouldn't be Christmas without stuffed cabbage, whereas people of Thrace enjoy a special vegan baklava on Christmas Eve), but a few recipes are considered a must all over the country.

Pork is almost always served as the first meat to break the advent fast, stuffed turkey has become popular in recent years, mulled wine or raki with honey is often sipped around the holidays, and the New Year's Vasilopita is ceremoniously cut and served in homes and workplaces everywhere.

Most obligatory however, are the two Christmas cookies, which seems to divide the population into two camps. While most people enjoy both, most everyone who grew up in Greece passionately favors one of the two. Kourabiedes are buttery shortbread-like almond cookies, made with rosewater and covered in very generous layers of powdered sugar. Melomakarona are soft and syrupy, topped with walnuts and slightly gingerbread-like in flavor, but their most important ingredient is honey.

To make up your mind about which is your favorite, we recommend sampling both as many times as you get a chance! Find recipes for melomakarona and kourabiedes here.

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6 Reasons Christmas in Greece is Not Like Anywhere Else - Greece Is

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Greek Santa Walking in the Christmas markets of Greek towns, or past the elaborately decorated windows of shops large and small, one will, of course, see the familiar cheery, rotund, red-suited and hatted figure who is the universal symbol of Christmas. Yet in Greece, technically speaking, this figure is not jolly Saint Nick, but a different saint altogether.

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First look at this link: https://citywonders.com/blog/Italy/Rome/8-italian-christmas-traditions. If you like the Italian holiday tradition best, give me a thumbs up.

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Italy is one of Europe's most picturesque countries and it is, of course, even more beautiful at Christmas. While it rarely snows, the festivities are fun enough without it. Whether you're taking a Rome tour or skiing in the Italian Alps, here are 8 Christmas traditions from all across Italy!

1. Extended Celebrations

One of the best Italian Christmas traditions is that they celebrate for much longer than other countries. Their festive season officially starts on December 8 - celebrated with the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. It lasts right the way through until January 6, the 12th day of Christmas, known as the Epiphany. This means that the rest of the Christmas traditions described below last even longer than you'd think!

Throughout December, you can combine sightseeing and seasonal activities. Take a Catacombs of Rome tour followed by all the festive fun you can imagine, or do a Rome city tour and see how many of the below traditions you can see in action.

2. No meat on Christmas Eve

In what is a very traditional tradition, the Italians don't eat meat on Christmas Eve, or la Vigilia. Instead they eat a variety of fish dishes - sometimes up to seven courses of seafood! This is typical on the day and night before any religious celebration; you are supposed to 'eat lean' and purify your body ahead of the holidays! Popular fish dishes vary across the country. In Rome, they enjoy the local dish of pezzetti: artichoke, zucchini and broccoli fried together - whereas in Naples, seafood and broccoli are sautéed.

As well as fish, of course, the people of Italy have pasta dishes on Christmas Eve. Again, the specific pasta dishes vary depending on whereabouts in the country you are. Places like Piedmont and Lombardy in the north will eat lasagna filled with anchovies, while in Naples you are more likely to be served vermicelli with mussels or clams.

3. Visiting the Vatican for midnight mass

A popular Christmas tradition for those who live or are staying in Rome is visiting the Vatican for midnight mass with the Pope on Christmas Eve. This actually happens at 9.30pm, rather than midnight, and is free to attend. It is also televised in St. Peter's Square for those who don't manage to get into the basilica to see the Pope - and participate in the mass - up close. If you have been on a guided Vatican tour, then you will know big the square is; it is even more magical at Christmas time, with its huge tree and nativity scene, and people celebrating the holidays as one.

4. Skiing into Christmas

While some Italians are attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve, others are whizzing down the slopes on Christmas Day. In northern Italy people ski down the mountains at midnight, carrying torches as a festive celebration!

5. Bagpipes on the piazzas

In various Italian cities, and especially in Rome - the Eternal city - you are likely to find men playing bagpipes in the squares across town. Known as 'zampognari', they dress as shepherds; this is because, traditionally, it was the shepherds who made the journey from their mountain homes into the piazzas to earn some extra money by playing the bagpipes to anyone who would listen. This was based on the story of the shepherds who visited Jesus on the night of his birth and played the bagpipes for him.

The zampognari tradition dates back to ancient Roman times, and it's so much fun to see it still continuing in Italian cities and hillside towns today. The pipers wear short breeches with leather leggings, a sheepskin vest with a woolly cloak and also a peaked cap. You might be able to catch the pipers on a Rome walking tour!

6. Gifts from the good witch

It is not only Santa who brings Christmas gifts. Right across Italy, on January 6 - marking the end of the holiday season - there is a visit from la Befana. This translates literally as 'the good witch', and legend says that on this date she would fill stockings with candy for the children on the good list, and coal for the naughty children.

But she didn't stop there, as she would also sweep the floor: being a good housekeeper, as was in her nature, but it is said that this was also to sweep away the problems of the previous year and leave the family with a fresh slate to go into the year ahead. Her housework, according to the tale, stopped her from venturing out with the three kings on the night they went off in search of baby Jesus. She went off herself later on, with a bag full of gifts for the newborn king.

7. Sweet treats

At Christmas, the Italians are especially big on sweet food. Of course, it varies across the country from the city to city - but they definitely have a collective sweet tooth over the holidays! Panettone and pandoro, both examples of sweet bread, are popular across the country and enjoyed by all. But in Siena you'll find cavallucci on offer: cookies decorated with the image of a house - and on a tour of Rome city you're bound to spot someone eating spiced nut pastries known as mostaccioli.

8. Displaying a ceppo

In most Italian households you will likely find a ceppo on display during the festive season. Believed to have originated from the Tuscan area, a ceppo is a pyramid-shaped wooden frame which can be anywhere up to a few feet high. Within the frame there are shelves: the bottom shelf will display a small Nativity scene and those above will have candy, fruit and small gifts on them. A star or little doll may be placed at the top, and sometimes candles are attached to the sides - everyone does their ceppo slightly differently, but the basic premise is the same and they are a popular decoration in Italian homes during the holidays.

Italy at Christmas is incredibly special: spending your day on a Roman Catacombs tour followed by pasta and panettone is so much fun. Whether you're spending Christmas in Rome with Colosseum views and bagpipes tunes, or elsewhere in Italy, you are bound to have the most wonderful holiday season.

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8 Christmas Traditions in Italy - City Wonders

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Whether you're taking a tour of Rome or skiing in the Italian alps this winter, here's a festive guide to Italian Christmas traditions.

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If you think the American holiday tradition is best, give me a thumbs up.