Homeschool Unit Study: Christmas Around the World

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Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated all around the world in a variety different ways. Many of these traditions have deep, long-standing roots. In the United States of America, some traditions may include putting up a Christmas tree, baking Christmas cookies, and opening presents.

However, discovering how other people celebrate Christmas can be a really fun way to learn about different cultures.

One way that variation becomes most apparent is through food. In Japan, Kentucky Fried Chicken is a popular Christmas dinner. In New Zealand, fresh seafood serves as the celebratory meal, while in Finland, hot porridge is the way to go. In Norway, it is custom to eat risengrynsgrøt, which translates to hot rice pudding.

Santa and other figures also change depending on the location of celebration. In the Netherlands, he’s known as Sinterklaas, the Dutch name, and appears wearing a long white beard, a red cape, and red miter. However, in Austria, Santa doesn’t ride alone, as a devil-like character known as Krampus serves as a dark side to Santa. In France, he’s known as, Père Noël, and in Brazil, he’s known as Papai Noel. In Hungry, Mikulás will leave toys and treats for good children who leave boots on their windowsills. Hoteiosho is the Japanese version of Santa Claus that has eyes in the back of his head to see when children are being naughty or nice. In Russia, Dedt Moroz brings children presents, and he also brings them to New Year’s parties.

Activities are another area that appears very differently in various parts of the world. For instance, while some places leave shoes by the chimney or back door to find treats inside, others create something like the Yule Goat in Sweden—now called the Gävle Goat—which is a massive, 42-foot high straw goat made of straw that weighs a whopping 3.6 tons. In San Fernando, a city in the Philippines, dazzling lanterns adorn the city to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. Children in Iceland will either wake up to boots filled with toys and treats or rotten potatoes—depending on whether they were good or bad. In Mexico, churches put on Pastorelas (Shepherd's Plays) to retell the Christmas story.

Have fun exploring Christmas customs from different cultures. Who knows, maybe you will adopt some new traditions in your own family!