In Bulgaria, Christmas (Bulgarian: Коледа, Koleda or more formally Рождество Христово, Rozhdestvo Hristovo, “Nativity of Jesus”) is celebrated on 25 December (unlike in some other Eastern Orthodox countries) and is preceded by Christmas Eve (Бъдни вечер, Badni vecher).

Traditionally, Christmas Eve would be the climax of the Nativity Fast, and thus only an odd number of lenten dishes are presented on that evening. On Christmas, however, meat dishes are already allowed and are typically served.

Among the Bulgarian Christmas traditions is koleduvane, which involves boy carolers (коледари, koledari) visiting the neighbouring houses starting at midnight on Christmas Eve, wishing health, wealth and happiness and patting the backs of the people with decorated cornel sticks (сур(о)вачка, sur(o)vachka). Another custom is the baking of a traditional round loaf (пита, pita). (more…)

Since the 1880s, the Christmas customs of Eastern European Slavic countries have included a similar character known as Ded Moroz (”Grandfather Frost”).

According to legend, he travels in a magical troika — a decorated sleigh drawn by three horses. With his young, blond assistant Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden, said to be his granddaughter) at his side, he visits homes and gives gifts to good children.

He only delivers presents to children while they are asleep, and unlike Santa, he does not travel down chimneys, coming instead to the front door of children’s homes. It is traditional for children to leave food for Ded Moroz just as American and British children do. (more…)

In Poland, Christmas Eve is a day first of fasting, then of feasting. The feast begins with the appearance of the first star, and is followed by the exchange of gifts.

The following day is often spent visiting friends. Poland is a land of intriguing traditions, superstitions, and legends. Its people have always combined religion and family closeness at Christmas time.

Gift giving plays only a minor role in the rituals, emphasis being placed instead on making special foods and decorations. (more…)

In Hungary, celebrations begin with Christmas tree decoration and gift packaging during daytime on 24th December, then comes a family dinner with traditional Christmas meals, and in the evening (Christmas Eve, in Hungarian: Szenteste) the Little (Baby) Jesus (Hungarian: Kisjézus or Jézuska) delivers the presents.

This is the most intimate moment of Christmas, featuring warmly lit Xmas tree and candles, soft Xmas music, family singing of religious songs and gift pack openings.

NOTE: in Hungary (and equally in Czech Republic and Slovakia), Santa Claus (Hungarian: Mikulás, Czech: Mikuláš, Slovak: Mikuláš) has nothing to do with Christmas. He visits families earlier, in the dawn of 6th December, and puts candy-bags for the well-behaving children (to be put in their polished shoes they put in the windows previous evening). (more…)

In the Czech Republic, Christmas is celebrated mainly on December 24, or Christmas Eve - Štědrý den (pron. “Shtiedree den”, means “open-handed day”) when the gifts are given in the evening. However, the December 25 and 26 are also free days.

According to tradition, gifts are brought by Ježíšek (pron. “Yezheeshek”), or “little Jesus”. Many very old Christmas traditions are followed, mostly for fun. People are taught not to eat anything on Christmas Eve until a ceremonial dinner is served, in order to be able to see a “golden pig”.

The gifts are displayed under the Christmas tree (usually a spruce or pine), and people open them after their Christmas dinner.

Other Czech Christmas traditions involve predictions for the future. Apples are always cut crosswise; if a star appears in the core, the next year will be successful, while a cross suggests a bad year. (more…)

In countries of Central Europe (for this purpose, roughly defined as the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and possibly other places) the main celebration date for the general public is Christmas Eve (December 24th).

The day is usually a fasting day; in some places children are told they’ll see a golden pig if they hold fast until dinner. When the evening comes preparation of Christmas Dinner starts.

Traditions concerning dinner vary from region to region, for example in the Czech Republic the prevailing meal is fried carp with potato salad and fish soup.

However, in some places the tradition is porridge with mushrooms (a modest dish), and elsewhere the dinner is exceptionally rich, with up to 12 dishes. (more…)

Many of Australia’s Christmas traditions also apply to New Zealand: as with its larger neighbour, New Zealand celebrates Christmas with traditional northern hemisphere winter imagery, though to some extent the symbols of the holly and ivy common to the British and North American Christmas are replaced by the Pōhutukawa tree, which blossoms annually in late December and is thus often called the “New Zealand Christmas tree”.

This does not stop New Zealand homes being decorated with the more standard pine tree however. Children in New Zealand are also told of the surreptitious visit of Father Christmas to leave presents.

Traditional winter-styled hot roast food also has a role in New Zealand’s festivities. One difference to the menu in New Zealand and Australia is the traditional dessert of pavlova. (more…)

In Commonwealth countries in the southern hemisphere, Christmas is celebrated on 25 December which falls during the height of the summer season.

The Australian traditions are quite similar to those of North America and similar wintry iconography is commonplace.

This results in such incongruities as a red fur-coated Father Christmas riding a sleigh, carols such as Jingle Bells, and various snow covered Christmas scenes on Christmas cards and decorations appearing in the middle of a hot summer.

As Christmas falls in summer, the watching of television is not a strong part of Australian Christmas traditions, unlike the UK where it is one of the most important television ratings days. (more…)

In Venezuela on December 16, families bring out their Nativity scenes which are a specially designed and thought out depiction of the nativity scene.

It is customary to attend one of nine carol services that are observed by most Venezuelans. Firecrackers explode and church bells toll to call worshipers from bed in the predawn hours.

The last of the Christmas services takes place on Nochebuena de Navidad Christmas Eve. Families attend a mass on this night and then return home to a huge and fancy dinner. (more…)

Christmas in Colombia is celebrated as a very religious holiday. Presents are brought by “El Niño Dios” (Baby Jesus) instead of “Papá Noél” (Santa Claus). He is still an important Christmas figure, but his role in gift giving has been downplayed by the church. His presence however is still felt in decorations, and Santa Clauses pose for pictures at malls.

While the Christmas decorations may have been put up since early November, the unofficial start of the Christmas festivities in Colombia takes place on December 7, Día de las Velitas, or “Day of the Candles”, when at night the streets, sidewalks, balconies, porches and driveways are decorated with candles and paper lanterns, illuminating the city in a yellow glow, all in honor of the Immaculate Conception which takes place the next day December 8. Many activities take place including musical events, firework displays, and many other events planned by the cities.

In many cities, and even in small rural towns, neighborhoods get together and decorate their whole neighborhood or street, making many streets feel like a tunnel of lights. Many radio stations, and some local organizations hold competitions for the best display of lights, making the competition for the best light show a serious event. (more…)