Christmas Traditions Around the World

Tradition is an integral part of the holidays and every family has their special rituals that they enjoy each year together. For us that includes matching pajamas, church on Christmas Eve and plenty of desserts. But traditions are also dictated by culture and many people incorporate traditions that their ancestors practiced. Here are some of my favorite Christmas traditions around the world.

Joyeux Noël!

France 

I shared on my Instagram a few weeks ago how growing up in our French-Canadian family we always celebrate the French tradition of The Feast of Saint Nicholas.  On the night of December 5, children put out their shoes in anticipation of the December 6 feast day. Saint Nick will then leave small toys and treats in their shoes if they’ve been good that year. Instead of toys, we would get a new ornament to add to our collection. I now continue that tradition with my little one!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Frohe Weihnachten!

Germany

The tradition of decorating trees actually started in Germany as part of their winter solstice tradition. But the first “Christmas trees” appeared in Strasbourg in the beginning of the 17th century. The trend slowly caught on around the world and now a Christmas celebration isn’t complete without a decorated Christmas tree!

Gleðileg jól!

Iceland

I first learned about Jolabokaflod when I visited Iceland in 2018 and noticed just how many bookstores Reykjavik had. It seemed like everywhere we turned we would run into a book store!  Jolabokaflod or “Christmas Book Flood” in English, is the Icelandic tradition of giving new books on Christmas Eve, then cozying up with family and reading into the night. This tradition started during World War II because paper was one of the few things not rationed in Iceland so books became a common gift. Supposedly this turned the country into a bunch of voracious readers – even to this day!

Happy Christmas!

England

Recently I spent my weekend sending out Christmas cards and it’s all thanks to an Englishman named John Calcott Horsley. In the late 1830s Horsley began producing small cards featuring festive scenes and a pre-written holiday greetings. Around the same time, across the pond in Albany, N.Y., similar cards were being made by R.H. Pease and Louis Prang. I don’t know about you, but I love getting cards in the mail every year!

What are some of your favorite international Christmas traditions?