Our favorite Christmas Traditions & Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are some Christmas traditions in Argentina? ›

Many Argentinians love to decorate Christmas trees, prepare asado (barbecue), and enjoy Argentinian Christmas recipes like pavo (turkey) and empanadas. Argentines celebrate December 24th more than the 25th.

Of the many Christmas traditions celebrated around the world, the most common thread is the celebration of a shared meal. Create memories and reflect on the year by joining friends and family together to enjoy a delicious meal.

These customs include decorating evergreen trees—or, in India, mango or bamboo trees; feasting (picnics and fireworks are popular in warm climates); and exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.

They give us a sense of belonging and a way to express what is important to us. They connect us to our history and help us celebrate generations of family. Most people can say, “oh this was great grandmas tablecloth we always used for Thanksgiving” or “I remember stringing popcorn with my mom when I was young”.

Christmas dinner in Egypt usually consists of roasted lamb or chicken, along with a variety of vegetables. One of the most common side dishes is rice pudding, which is made with milk, rice, sugar, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

1) Christmas Day is not a religious celebration.

But in China, observers estimate only 3-5% of the population is Christian, which means Christmas is more of a secular season of shopping and feasting. Tapping into the festive mood, commercial establishments and malls attract shoppers with seasonal sales.

Christmas in Egypt is a time of joy and peace that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and the spirit of the love of God. Egyptians celebrate Christmas with their families and friends, enjoying delicious food, exchanging gifts, and attending special masses at churches.

Aside from the obvious — mass, eating, drinking and exchanging gifts — Irish people celebrate Christmas Day in some surprising ways. From Christmas Day swims to fun runs, Irish people love raising money for charitable causes over Christmas.

The prevailing tradition in France is for everyone to sit down together and feast on the 24th December for a long, often luxurious meal called a réveillon. This tends to start in the evening, sometimes following a day of fasting, and goes on until midnight and beyond.

What are some Christmas traditions in Cuba? ›

Christmas in Cuba is very much a family-oriented holiday and gifts are not as important as spending time together. Roasted suckling pig is the traditional dish served for Christmas lunch. Parrandas – parties in the street with fireworks, floats, and dancing – are a common part of Christmas celebrations in Cuba.

It gives children a sense of identity.

Whether your traditions are based in religion, culture, or fun, they're important. They serve as reminders of where your family came from or as memories that help shape your family.

Gift-giving has its roots in pagan rituals held during the winter. When Christianity folded these rituals into Christmas, the justification for bearing gifts was redirected to the Three Wise Men, the Magi, who gave gifts to the infant Jesus. But in early modern Europe, it also had its roots in Christmas begging.

Some date back to 16th-century Germany or even ancient Greek times, while others have caught on in modern times. Here's a look at 25 ways Americans have celebrated the Christmas season, from singing songs and reciting poems to decorating trees and swapping cookies to drinking eggnog and wearing ugly sweaters.

These traditions emphasized values such as generosity, family togetherness, and the joy of giving and receiving. In the modern era, while Christmas retains its religious significance for many, it has also become a cultural celebration observed by people of various faiths and backgrounds.