While many holidays and celebrations happen around the same time of the year, all of them have completely different meanings and reasons to be shared. Holidays, both religious and cultural, share different routines and events among themselves. Numerous Latin countries celebrate their version of Christmas a day earlier along with parties that can last all night. Many Asian nations will celebrate a small part of Christmas but will have a bigger party and event for the upcoming New Year. European countries celebrate with a big dish days before or after December 25 and gather to celebrate with old family traditions.
Traditional Christmas activities for families in the United States typically include decorating houses and Christmas trees, hosting parties among family and friends, or attending church on Christmas Eve or the morning of Christmas Day.
While over in Australia, Christmas is a day for families to celebrate the weather and days given. Many will host parties at beaches and outside to enjoy the sunny breeze and be able to get their family together and celebrate soon before the new year.
Compared to China, Christmas was never actually their big holiday. Similar to other Asian countries, they have a bigger celebration for Chinese New Years. Common gifts and treats during this festive time often include fresh produce and hot meat meals as a symbol of family, unity, and luck.
All Throughout West European countries, celebrations and traditions are interwoven amongst multiple cultures. Many believe that spirits will come to help families with the approaching winter by blessing houses and barns while also blessing many European farmers next harvest after winter. Some also believe that they will come as past family members, wishing to celebrate another christmas and new year with their family once more.
Further down in Austria, they have a more frightful story known as Krampus compared to a traditionally sweet and nice Santa Claus. Krampus has been a folklore tradition for years intended to scare children into being good before christmas time or he’d come for them. Since then, Krampus has become a story told around the world and changed into new versions for countries to continue his legend.
Over in Latin American countries like Venezuela and Mexico, families celebrate with festivals and days full of music to bring communities together during the winter season. Often having big feasts made from families and friends, parties to celebrate with and stories to share for the following years of Christmas time.
Even though each country and culture has their own celebrations and traditions, the holiday season will always be a time of family, happiness and fun when celebrated together.
