Christmas is one of the most beloved and widely celebrated holidays worldwide. It is a special time that brings joy and sparkle to our lives with feasting and special rituals, colorful decorations, and the exchanging of gifts. Traditions have developed around this holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus and they have changed as they have crossed borders into other countries and over time.
Dive into Christmas Traditions in Italy below. Download Sonlight's Christmas Around the World ebook to explore Christmas traditions from 19 different countries around the world, including 6 of the 7 continents!
Explore Christmas Traditions in the Italy while listening to this episode of the InquisiKids podcast.
Christmas Traditions in Italy
Italy is a very regional country because historically it was not a united nation but many little city states. Consequently, you find that traditions vary greatly from region to region. What is common in the north of Italy is not the same in the south and vice versa.
One tradition that is common throughout the country is the use of the nativity scene or presepio. The nativity scene is a central Christmas decoration in Italy. Families create elaborate presepi with figurines depicting the Holy Family, shepherds, angels, and various village characters. These nativity scenes are displayed in homes, churches, and public places, and they can be quite intricate and detailed. There is an entire street in the city of Naples with shops dedicated to these collectibles and there’s even a museum devoted to these elaborate scenes. Learn more about these presepi on the InquisiKids podcast above, and to see one watch the video below.
In southern Italy and Sicily, people carry statues of the Holy Family through the streets, accompanied by music, and singing.
Italy has a unique gift-bringer called La Befana. She is an old woman who leaves gifts for children on the eve of the Epiphany (January 5). To learn more about this folktale, and why La Befana leaves gifts for children, listen to the InquisiKids podcast above.
The gift-bringer in Italy varies by region.
Babbo Natale (Father Christmas) isthe most universally recognized gift-bringer in Italy, similar to Santa Claus.
In some parts of southern Italy, especially in the Campania region, Gesù Bambino (Baby Jesus) brings gifts to children.
In other southern regions such as Sicily and Puglia, San Nicola (St. Nicholas) is the gift-bringer.
Santa Lucia (St. Lucy) leaves gifts for children in Lombardy, Veneto, and other northern regions
The extent of Santa Lucia's role in gift-giving can vary from one region to another and even from one family to another within the same region. Santa Lucia's celebration often includes processions, parades, and traditional foods in addition to gift-giving. While she is not as universally recognized as Babbo Natale in Italy, her feast day and associated traditions hold significance in certain areas, and her story is a cherished part of Italian folklore.
Christmas Recipes in Italy
Italian Christmas traditions are a harmonious blend of religious customs and festive celebrations steeped in deep-rooted culture. Panettone and Pandoro are two traditional Italian Christmas cakes. Panettone is a sweet, fruit-filled bread, while Pandoro is a golden, star-shaped cake dusted with powdered sugar. Both are enjoyed during the holiday season and are often given as hostess gifts. Both can be found in specialty stores in the US.
Add a new tradition to your holiday celebrations by making befanini cookies, a Tuscan specialty, for Epiphany, January 6!
Italian Christmas music traditions are deeply intertwined with the country's rich cultural heritage and religious significance. Traditional Italian carols, such as Tu scendi dalle stelle (You come down from the stars), Astro del Ciel (Silent Night), Venite Fedeli (Oh Come All Ye Faithful) and Gesù Bambino (Baby Jesus), resonate through homes, churches, and festive gatherings, filling the air with a sense of spirituality and joy. Check out Sonlight's Christmas Around the World Spotify playlist here to download Christmas music from Italy and around the world.
What is your favorite tradition to celebrate with your family around Christmastime?
From traditional festivities to unique customs, we hope these Italiantraditions add a rich diversity to your family celebrations during this joyous holiday. Download the complete Christmas Around the World ebook to infuse your holiday traditions with Christmas customs, recipes, and crafts from 19 countries around the world.
We'd love to hear more about the traditions you celebrate in your own home! Share your stories on your favorite social media outlet using #sonlightstories or comment below. Have a tradition you'd like to see added to this post? Let us know, by emailing us at main@sonlight.com.
Christmas is one of the most beloved and widely celebrated holidays worldwide. It is a special time that brings joy and sparkle to our lives with feasting and special rituals, colorful decorations, and the exchanging of gifts. Traditions have developed around this holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus and they have changed as they have crossed borders into other countries and over time.
Dive into Christmas Traditions in France below. Download Sonlight's Christmas Around the World ebook to explore Christmas traditions from 19 different countries around the world, including 6 of the 7 continents!
Explore Christmas Traditions in the France while listening to this episode of the InquisiKids podcast.
Christmas Traditions in France
France shares many similar traditions with its European neighbors such as using Advent calendars and lighting Advent candles in a wreath to count down the days until Christmas.
A Nativity scene, called a crèche, is a very common Christmas decoration in French homes and churches and includes all kinds of figures called santons ("little saints").
A Nativity scene, called a crèche
Christmas markets are called Marchés de Noëland are a popular way to shop for holiday treats, gifts, and crafts. A famous one is in Strasbourg.
It is common to exchange gifts and attend Midnight Mass in beautifully decorated old churches on Christmas Eve. Some families exchange gifts on Christmas Eve while others do so on Christmas Day. Well-behaved children receive gifts from Père Noël (Father Christmas).
Some traditions that are special to the French people revolve around food. The first is the Réveillon, which is a Christmas Eve feast featuring dishes like foie gras, oysters, and roast meats, accompanied by wine and Champagne. The second is the Bûche de Noël (Yule Log)which is the traditional Christmas dessert served as the grand finale to the Réveillon. It is a sponge cake, layered with creamy fillings, and frosted with a chocolate buttercream made to resemble a log. It has a bark-like texture and sometimes even has (candy) mushrooms “growing” on it. Want to try making one? (Or you might just enjoy seeing how one is made!)
Christmas Recipes in France
Réveillon is a cherished Christmas tradition in France. This festive meal, enjoyed on Christmas Eve, typically features an elaborate spread of culinary delights, including roasted meats, seafood, and a variety of regional specialties. Réveillon is known for its emphasis on decadent, multi-course dining, often culminating in a grand dessert like the bûche de Noël, a Yule log-shaped cake. The Réveillon is a time for families and friends to come together, exchange gifts, and celebrate the holiday spirit, creating an atmosphere of warmth and togetherness that is at the heart of French Christmas traditions.
Add a new French recipe to your collection with the recipe below!
French Christmas music traditions are steeped in centuries of history and exude a sense of timeless elegance and holiday charm. The French are renowned for their carols, or les chants de Noël, with classics like Petit Papa Noël (Little Father Christmas), Minuit, chrétiens (O Holy Night),and Il est né, le divin enfant (He is born, the divine child) being beloved staples. Check out Sonlight's Christmas Around the World Spotify playlist here to download Christmas music from France and around the world.
What is your favorite tradition to celebrate with your family around Christmastime?
From traditional festivities to unique customs, we hope these French traditions add a rich diversity to your family celebrations during this joyous holiday. Download the complete Christmas Around the World ebook to infuse your holiday traditions with Christmas customs, recipes, and crafts from 19 countries around the world.
We'd love to hear more about the traditions you celebrate in your own home! Share your stories on your favorite social media outlet using #sonlightstories or comment below. Have a tradition you'd like to see added to this post? Let us know, by emailing us at main@sonlight.com.
Christmas is one of the most beloved and widely celebrated holidays worldwide. It is a special time that brings joy and sparkle to our lives with feasting and special rituals, colorful decorations, and the exchanging of gifts. Traditions have developed around this holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus and they have changed as they have crossed borders into other countries and over time.
Dive into Christmas Traditions in Denmark below. Download Sonlight's Christmas Around the World ebook to explore Christmas traditions from 19 different countries around the world, including 6 of the 7 continents!
Explore Christmas Traditions in the Denmark while listening to this episode of the InquisiKids podcast.
Christmas Traditions in Denmark
Denmark is another Scandinavian country, so it too shares similar traditions with its neighbors. Some similarities include observing Advent with calendars and wreaths; decorating homes with Christmas trees, ornaments, and lights; dancing around the tree; and celebrating St. Lucia Day (December 13).
The gift-bringer in Denmark is called Julemand, which is the Danish word for "Christmas Man". It refers to the Christmas gift-bringer in modern Danish culture, similar to Santa Claus. Julemand is often depicted as a short, bearded man wearing gray clothes and a red hat.
Before there was Julemand, there were mischievous elflike creatures called Nisse who lived on farms and helped with tasks or chores. They can be moody creatures so people would try to appease them with food. Children leave out a bowl of rice porridge, hoping to receive a gift in return.
Danish Christmas is celebrated on December 24. Traditionally, that means eating an elaborate Christmas dinner in the evening, dancing around the Christmas tree, and opening presents.
Christmas Crafts in Denmark
Creating Christmas decorations out of natural materials is very popular in Denmark. Candles, lots of pine-inspired decor, and colors tend to be white, red, gold, silver, and green. Visit this blog to inspire some of your own Danish Christmas crafting ideas.
Christmas Recipes in Denmark
Families enjoy Julefrokost, which is a traditional Danish Christmas lunch that can last all day. While technically, Julefrokost stands for “Christmas lunch”, it’s usually a meal you’ll eat all day — over the course of several hours. There are a host of courses to enjoy, laid out buffet-style so you can take as much as you like. During the Julefrokost event, loved ones come together to share a massive buffet full of popular Danish treats, while singing songs and playing party games. Dishes can include herring, liver pâté, meatballs, rice pudding and more. Add a touch of this Danish tradition to your Christmas celebrations with a popular recipe below!
In Denmark, music is an important part of Christmas. On Christmas Eve, it’s customary for Danes to hold hands and dance around the Christmas tree while singing Christmas carols and psalms. This tradition is also found in other Scandinavian countries. A popular song to sing while dancing is Nu er det jul igen (Now it is Christmas again). The singing often begins with this song. Check out Sonlight's Christmas Around the World Spotify playlist here to download Christmas music from Denmark and around the world.
What is your favorite tradition to celebrate with your family around Christmastime?
From traditional festivities to unique customs, we hope these Danish traditions add a rich diversity to your family celebrations during this joyous holiday. Download the complete Christmas Around the World ebook to infuse your holiday traditions with Christmas customs, recipes, and crafts from 19 countries around the world.
We'd love to hear more about the traditions you celebrate in your own home! Share your stories on your favorite social media outlet using #sonlightstories or comment below. Have a tradition you'd like to see added to this post? Let us know, by emailing us at main@sonlight.com.
Christmas is one of the most beloved and widely celebrated holidays worldwide. It is a special time that brings joy and sparkle to our lives with feasting and special rituals, colorful decorations, and the exchanging of gifts. Traditions have developed around this holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus and they have changed as they have crossed borders into other countries and over time.
Dive into Christmas Traditions in the Netherlands below. Download Sonlight's Christmas Around the World ebook to explore Christmas traditions from 19 different countries around the world, including 6 of the 7 continents!
Explore Christmas Traditions in the The Netherlands while listening to this episode of the InquisiKids podcast.
Christmas Traditions in The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the main gift-giving holiday is Sinterklaas (named for St. Nicholas), celebrated on December 5th. Sinterklaas is dressed differently than Santa Claus, sporting a bishop’s outfit, and he arrives by steamship from Spain in mid-November. This marks the beginning of the holiday season. Sinterklaas has a helper known as Zwarte Piet (Black Pete, a Spanish Moor), who helps him fill the shoes the children have placed by the fireplace with gifts and treats.
Learn more about the story of St. Nicholas on the InquisiKids above!
Sinterklaas (named for St. Nicholas)
Christmas trees and festive lights are a common way to decorate for the holiday. Some people exchange gifts on Christmas Day (December 25) but the primary day for gifts is December 5th. The general rule is Sinterklaas first, then Christmas via two distinct and separate holiday celebrations.
Dutch cities often host Christmas markets (Kerstmarkten) throughout the month of December, where people can shop for gifts, enjoy holiday treats, and experience a festive atmosphere. Temporary ice rinks are also set up in various towns so that families can enjoy this popular pastime.
Christmas Recipes in The Netherlands
Many Dutch families have a gourmetten (a type of indoor grilling) for Christmas dinner, cooking small pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables in small pans over an electric grill. It involves melting cheese on top of the ingredients and is served with a variety of condiments and sauces. Kerststol, a fruit-studded sweet dough filled with almond paste, is a traditional Christmas bread that is also served.
Start a brand new Christmas dinner tradition, the Dutch way. Check out the recipes below to add to your collection.
Kerstkrans (wreath-shaped almond cookies tied with a ribbon that are hung on the Christmas tree)
Lefse (a traditional flatbread Christmas tradition)
Download a Christmas Playlist
Enhance your Christmas celebrations with popular Christmas music such as Ere Zij God (Glory to God) Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (Silent Night, Holy Night) from the Netherlands, and others from around the world. Check out Sonlight's Christmas Around the World Spotify playlist here.
What is your favorite tradition to celebrate with your family around Christmastime?
From traditional festivities to unique customs, we hope these traditions from the Netherlands add a rich diversity to your family celebrations during this joyous holiday. Download the complete Christmas Around the World ebook to infuse your holiday traditions with Christmas customs, recipes, and crafts from 19 countries around the world.
We'd love to hear more about the traditions you celebrate in your own home! Share your stories on your favorite social media outlet using #sonlightstories or comment below. Have a tradition you'd like to see added to this post? Let us know, by emailing us at main@sonlight.com.
Christmas is one of the most beloved and widely celebrated holidays worldwide. It is a special time that brings joy and sparkle to our lives with feasting and special rituals, colorful decorations, and the exchanging of gifts. Traditions have developed around this holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus and they have changed as they have crossed borders into other countries and over time.
Dive into Christmas Traditions in Norway below. Download Sonlight's Christmas Around the World ebook to explore Christmas traditions from 19 different countries around the world, including 6 of the 7 continents!
Explore Christmas Traditions in the Norway while listening to this episode of the InquisiKids podcast.
Christmas Traditions in Norway
Norway is another country in Scandinavia and shares similar traditions with its neighbors.
Julebukk is a centuries-old Scandinavian tradition that takes place between Christmas and New Year's Day. It's a Christmas-themed version of trick-or-treating. In Julebukk, people dress up in costumes and go door-to-door to sing and perform for friends, neighbors, and family. They often disguise their voices to make it harder for people to guess who is behind the mask. In exchange for their performances, they receive food, drinks, or candy.
Norwegians also celebrate St. Lucia Day (December 13) but rather than straw, they decorate their homes with Juleneks, which are sheaves of grain decorated with a red bow. It is tied to a post or hung on a door to feed the birds on Christmas morning.
Little Christmas Eve or Lille julaften is celebrated on December 23rd as a prelude to the Christmas festivities. On this day families decorate their Christmas trees, but it can also be a day of cleaning and tidying so that everything is spotless and ready for the following two days.
Christmas Crafts in Norway
Norwegians have their own version of Santa Claus, called Julenissen. This gnome-like creature with a long white beard and a red cap brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve. Click the photo or link below for instructions to make your own Christmas Gnome Ornament.
Tomte the Christmas Gnome Ornament
This Scandinavian-inspired Tomte pinecone ornament carries a sense of whimsy and tradition, symbolizing the spirit of a Nordic Christmas. Click here for instructions to create your own Tomte made from a pinecone!
Norway also receives quite a bit of snow and ice during the Christmas season. To represent all these snowflakes, try making your own out of salt, Epsom salt, or borax.
Crystal Snowflake
Add some homemade charm to your Christmas tree with this DIY Crystal snowflake craft! You can use food coloring to dye the water and make different colored snowflakes, or just use different colored pipe cleaners. Click here for instructions. For an older child, you might want to try this one. Can't get enough snowflake crafts? Try this one with marshmallows and toothpicks!
Christmas Recipes in Norway
Christmas dinner julemiddag boasts dishes like ribbe (pork ribs), pinnekjøtt (dried and salted lamb ribs), lutefisk (dried fish), medisterkaker (sausage patties), an assortment of vegetables and lefse (thin potato flatbread), followed by rice pudding with a hidden almond for dessert. The person who finds the almond will have good luck in the coming year. Norwegians also enjoy Pepparkakor, a Swedish ginger cookie, like gingersnaps. Add a new treat to your Christmas festivities by making this popular Christmas Cookie—get the recipe below!
Despite Christmas Day being the time when most other countries have their main celebrations, Norwegians choose to celebrate on Christmas Eve instead, which is known as Julaften. This is when families get together and eat a traditional Norwegian Christmas meal, which is usually followed by holding hands and dancing around the Christmas tree to various carols, including Så går vi rundt om en enebærbusk (Then We Go 'Round 'Bout a Juniperbush), En stjerne skinner i natt (A Star Shines in the Night), and Glade jul (Happy Christmas). Check out Sonlight's Christmas Around the World Spotify playlist here to download Christmas music from Norway and around the world.
What is your favorite tradition to celebrate with your family around Christmastime?
From traditional festivities to unique customs, we hope these Norwegian traditions add a rich diversity to your family celebrations during this joyous holiday. Download the complete Christmas Around the World ebook to infuse your holiday traditions with Christmas customs, recipes, and crafts from 19 countries around the world.
We'd love to hear more about the traditions you celebrate in your own home! Share your stories on your favorite social media outlet using #sonlightstories or comment below. Have a tradition you'd like to see added to this post? Let us know, by emailing us at main@sonlight.com.
Christmas is one of the most beloved and widely celebrated holidays worldwide. It is a special time that brings joy and sparkle to our lives with feasting and special rituals, colorful decorations, and the exchanging of gifts. Traditions have developed around this holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus and they have changed as they have crossed borders into other countries and over time.
Dive into Christmas Traditions in Iceland below. Download Sonlight's Christmas Around the World ebook to explore Christmas traditions from 19 different countries around the world, including 6 of the 7 continents!
Explore Christmas Traditions in the Iceland while listening to this episode of the InquisiKids podcast.
Christmas Traditions in Iceland
The Yule Lads (Jólasveinar) are 13 mischievous characters thought to be the sons of two mythical trolls. Each figure has his own distinct personality and habits. Beginning on December 12th, children place a shoe in the window and each night a different Yule Lad arrives to leave small gifts or play pranks.
Photo credit: arcticportal.org
Because it is so dark at this time of year, light plays a big part in the Christmas season. Advent candles are lit, Christmas trees, homes, and streets are decorated with lights. Neighborhoods and towns decorate their streets, buildings, and trees with colorful lights, especially the capital city, Reykjavik. This practice is called Jólaljós (Christmas Lights). On December 23rd, Icelanders light bonfires (Jólasbrenna) across the country, to symbolize the victory of light over the darkness—a tradition that dates back to ancient times.
Another delightful tradition is Jólabókaflóð (Christmas Book Flood) where people exchange books as gifts on Christmas Eve and spend the evening reading in a cozy atmosphere complete with hot chocolate and candlelight. Because of this tradition, many authors release their latest works at this time of year and many books are published in the weeks that lead up to Christmas. The Christmas season is a time for reading, storytelling, and sharing stories of folklore and myths, both ancient and modern.
Christmas Eve (Jóladagur) is the primary day of celebration in Iceland. Families gather for a festive meal that often includes traditional dishes such as hangikjöt (smoked lamb), fermented shark (hákarl), and a variety of sweet treats. After dinner, many people attend Midnight Mass or participate in church services.
Christmas Crafts in Iceland
As you can imagine from the name of the country itself, Iceland receives quite a bit of snow and ice from late October to late January. To represent all these snowflakes, try making your own out of salt, Epsom salt, or borax.
Crystal Snowflake
Add some homemade charm to your Christmas tree with this DIY Crystal snowflake craft! You can use food coloring to dye the water and make different colored snowflakes, or just use different colored pipe cleaners. Click here for instructions. For an older child you might want to try this one. Can't get enough snowflake crafts? Try this one with marshmallows and toothpicks!
Christmas Recipes in Iceland
Christmas Eve dinner in Iceland is a cherished and elaborate affair that traditionally features a main course of Hangikjöt (smoked lamb), often served with a béchamel sauce. Another holiday favorite is Hamborgarhryggur, a spiced ham. These meat dishes are accompanied by a variety of side dishes like pickled red cabbage, peas, and potatoes.
Families also gather around the festive table to enjoy laufabrauð, or "leaf bread," which is a thin, crispy flatbread, deep-fried and often decorated with intricate patterns. Christmas Eve dinner is a joyful celebration that emphasizes the spirit of togetherness and the joy of sharing in Icelandic homes.
Download a Christmas Playlist
Christmas music in Iceland is a cherished part of the holiday season, blending traditional and contemporary elements. The country's rich musical heritage comes to life during the Yuletide celebrations, with classic carols like Dásamleg jól (Wonderful Christmas), Heyr Himna smiður (Hear My Supplication), and Jólin eru að koma (Christmas Is Coming), Ég hlakka svo til (I'm So Excited)filling the air with festive cheer. Check out Sonlight's Christmas Around the World Spotify playlist here to download Christmas music from Iceland around the world.
What is your favorite tradition to celebrate with your family around Christmastime?
From traditional festivities to unique customs, we hope these Icelandic traditions add a rich diversity to your family celebrations during this joyous holiday. Download the complete Christmas Around the World ebook to infuse your holiday traditions with Christmas customs, recipes, and crafts from 19 countries around the world.
We'd love to hear more about the traditions you celebrate in your own home! Share your stories on your favorite social media outlet using #sonlightstories or comment below. Have a tradition you'd like to see added to this post? Let us know, by emailing us at main@sonlight.com.
Christmas is one of the most beloved and widely celebrated holidays worldwide. It is a special time that brings joy and sparkle to our lives with feasting and special rituals, colorful decorations, and the exchanging of gifts. Traditions have developed around this holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus and they have changed as they have crossed borders into other countries and over time.
Dive into Christmas Traditions in Great Britain below. Download Sonlight's Christmas Around the World ebook to explore Christmas traditions from 19 different countries around the world, including 6 of the 7 continents!
Explore Christmas Traditions in the Great Britain while listening to this episode of the InquisiKids podcast.
Christmas Traditions in Great Britain
In Great Britain, Christmas traditions are a blend of religious and secular customs. Like the United States, British homes have a decorated tree that is put up in early December.
Boxing Day is the day after Christmas and historically was the day when servants, tradespeople, and the poor received boxes (gifts) from their employers. Today it is an official bank holiday that is associated with shopping and sporting events such as football (soccer) and cricket.
Another tradition is a televised speech by the ruling monarch that has been a tradition since the first one in 1957. See below as HM King Charles III delivers his first Christmas message to the nation and the Commonwealth in 2022.
Christmas Crafts in Great Britain
One unique tradition is Christmas crackers. These are paper tubes filled with candy, small trinkets, and other treats. It is fun to pull a cracker and hear the loud pop over the Christmas meal with family and friends. Try your hand at making your own this year using the instructions below.
Christmas Crackers
Make Christmas Day go with a bang by making your own Homemade Christmas crackers. This simple craft is easy to make and you can add your own unique gifts, jokes, and party hats in order to personalize your Christmas Day. Click here for instructions.
Christmas Recipes in Great Britain
Favorite British desserts include pudding, also called plum pudding, which is a dense fruitcake, and mince pies which are small tarts filled with dried fruits and spices. Check out the links below and add a new recipe to your collection this season!
Christmas music holds a special place in the hearts of the British people during the holiday season. Traditional carols such as Silent Night, Deck the Halls, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing resonate through the airwaves and are sung in churches and homes alike. Additionally, modern Christmas hits by British artists like Wham's Last Christmas and Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody have become enduring staples of the holiday playlist. This rich musical tradition adds a melodious touch to the yuletide celebrations, making Christmas in Great Britain truly magical.
What is your favorite tradition to celebrate with your family around Christmastime?
From traditional festivities to unique customs, we hope these traditions add a rich diversity to your family celebrations during this joyous holiday. Download the complete Christmas Around the World ebook to infuse your holiday traditions with Christmas customs, recipes, and crafts from 19 countries around the world.
We'd love to hear more about the traditions you celebrate in your own home! Share your stories on your favorite social media outlet using #sonlightstories or comment below. Have a tradition you'd like to see added to this post? Let us know, by emailing us at main@sonlight.com.
