Christmas is all around us and all around the world

Let just admit it, we all like Christmas.

It doesn’t matter, if for their nice atmosphere or for the fact that we get presents.

Surely, everybody thinks that their Christmas are the best ones but just leave that behind and have a look how are Christmas celebrated in different parts of the world.

My first intention was to write about Christmas in all the participating countries, but I gave up. It was just too much!!

Finally I decided to pick up countries which have different approaches to Christmas.

AMERICA - BRAZIL

Father Christmas is called Papai Noel. Many Christmas customs are similar to USA or UK. For those who have enough money, a special Christmas meal will be chicken, turkey, ham, rice, salad, pork, fresh and dried fruits, often with beer. Poorer people will just have chicken and rice.

AUSTRALIA

In Australia, Santa's sleigh is pulled by eight white kangaroos. Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors and is followed by a visit to the beach or a game of cricket.

AFRICA – NIGERIA

Almost everyone goes to church on Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve the animals are slaughtered, and traditional meals are prepared. People find themselves eating this same meal three to four times on that day, as they are offered it at every housethey visit; and according to customs, it was considered rude to decline to eat when offered food.

EUROPE- ITALY

In Italy, on the evening of the day after Christmas, children are visited by a good witch named Strega Buffana. She flies around Italy on a broom and leaves treats for god children and coal for naughty children.

-CZECH REPUBLIC

In the Czech Republic, Saint Nicholas is helped by the Infant Jesus to give presents to the children. The Infant Jesus rings a little bell to let the children know he has come.
People believe that Christmas Eve has a certain magic and that you can see your future on that night.

-RUSSIA

In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. New Year was the important time - when 'Father Frost' brought presents to children. With the fall of Communism, Christmas can be openly celebrated - either on December 25th; or more often on January 7th. This unusual date is because the Russian Orthodox church uses the old 'Julian' calendar for religious celebration days.

-SWEDEN

In Sweden, "Jultomten", a little brownie helps Santa Claus give gifts to the children who have been good. On Christmas morning, churches are lit up entirely by candles for the Christmas service.

ASIA – JAPAN

The major religion in Japan is Buddhism and Shinto, so Christmas is more commercial event. They have a Buddhist monk called Hotei-osho who acts like Santa Claus. He brings presents to each house and leaves them for the children. Some think he has eyes in the back of his head, so children try to behave like he is nearby.

-SAUDI ARABIA

Islam is the only accepted religion and non-Muslim religious activities are banned in public. But in the recent years it starts to looks like Christmas more then it used to be. However, religious police agents become very active in the days leading up to Christian and Western celebrations. That is why Christmas cards are sold under the counter and only in very few stores. Some florists discreetly sell Christmas trees, mostly artificial ones.

Well as you see, traditions vary from place to place. Traditions are part of our culture and culture is a part of our country. Christmas is an example of a tradition which is widely spread and mostly tolerated. Nearly everybody is excited about Christmas, Christmas make people happy. So why could not we also tolerate other traditions and live in a happy world?:)