Christmas is just around the corner, and all around the world, the holiday is celebrated with unique traditions deeply rooted in history. While the universal message of joy and togetherness unites Christmas celebrations, the ways in which people honor the season vary, and this is where the festivities get excitement. Let’s hop onto Santa’s sleigh and journey through a selection of Christmas traditions from several different countries!
Denmark – roast pork, elves, and advent calendars on tv
On Christmas Eve, most Danes enjoy either roast pork or duck—or both. Caramelized potatoes are a classic side dish for these meals. Dessert often consists of risalamande, a rice pudding with a hidden almond that wins the finder a special gift.
Many Danish children are also familiar with the long-standing custom of leaving a bowl of rice porridge for the elf in the attic. These elves, once considered household guardians, were to be kept happy if you wanted to avoid their mischief.
Advent calendar television series are another Danish tradition. Over 24 episodes, one each day up to Christmas, families follow a series—often centered on ‘saving’ Christmas. While sat in front of the tv, they might enjoy traditional cakes and pastries like pebernødder (small spiced cookies), klejner (jelly donuts), or æbleskiver (pancake spheres) found in Danish homes in 2024 just as they were in 1924.
Germany – Plätzchen and the home of the Christmas tree
Germany is the birthplace of one of the world’s most widespread Christmas traditions—the Christmas tree. This tradition likely dates back to 1419 in Freiburg, where a tree at a local inn was decorated with apples, pastries, and glitter.
Germans love their plätzchen (Christmas cookies), and rumor has it that there are over 13,000 varieties! On Christmas Eve, many Germans eat potato salad with sausages. Fondue and raclette are also classic Christmas dishes in Germany.
USA – Santa, cookies, and holiday classics
Christmas is a vibrant celebration in the USA. Popular traditions include the creation of gingerbread houses and leaving milk and cookies for Santa Claus. This custom traces its roots to the 1930s, where it emerged as a way to express gratitude during the Great Depression.
American children write letters to Santa Claus, who is himself a kind of synthesis of several European Christmas characters, including the Dutch Sinterklaas and England’s Father Christmas. The holiday also brings families together to watch Christmas movies, where some insist that Die Hard qualifies as a Christmas film. Most families open gifts in the morning on December 25th, though you will find Christmas Eve celebrations as well, where you can toast the season a glass of eggnog.
Italy – La Befana and St. Lucia
In Italy, a unique Christmas figure takes the spotlight: La Befana, an old woman on a broomstick who delivers gifts to children on Epiphany (January 6). According to legend, she got lost while trying to follow the three wise men and has been delivering gifts to children—or coal for the naughty ones—ever since.
In some parts of northern Italy, St. Lucia brings gifts on December 13th, where she appears accompanied by a flying donkey. In return for the gifts, children leave carrots for the donkey and coffee for St. Lucia.
Italians adore their presepi, nativity scenes, displayed in streets and homes.
In southern Italy, live nativity scenes are staged, with locals dressing as Mary, Joseph, and the wise men—a tradition tracing back to 1223.
Ethiopia – one wise man, or all three?
In Ethiopia, Christmas celebrations are based on traditions from Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Known as Genna or Ganna, Ethiopian Christmas falls on January 7th, as the Ethiopian Church follows the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian.
In the days leading up to Christmas, many Ethiopians follow the “Fast of the Prophets”—a 43-day fast where only one vegan meal is eaten per day. On Christmas Eve, many wear the traditional white netela, a thin white cotton scarf with colorful stripes at the ends.
It is said that one of the three wise men hailed from Ethiopia—though many Ethiopians believe all three were Ethiopian.
From elves and rice porridge in Denmark to La Befana in Italy and Genna in Ethiopia – each culture brings something unique to the global Christmas celebration. So, no matter where you find yourself this Christmas, there is always an opportunity to be inspired by the world's many holiday traditions and create new memories with your loved ones.
This blog draws from the following sources:
https://www.kristendom.dk/indf%C3%B8ring/ti-ting-du-ikke-vidste-om-de-danske-juletraditioner
https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/life/how-germany-celebrates-christmas
https://historienet.dk/jul/historien-om-juletraeet-bygger-paa-en-loegn
https://www.history.com/news/christmas-traditions-history
https://10best.usatoday.com/interests/festivals-events/7-christmas-traditions-in-america/
https://seeitalytravel.com/8-christmas-customs-you-ll-only-find-in-italy/
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/christmas-traditions-from-around-the-world
https://www.brilliant-ethiopia.com/christmas-in-ethiopia