Celebrating the Festive Spirit: Traditions And Customs Of Christmas
Christmas is inseparable from hot chocolate, gingerbread, roast turkey, etc. Do you know what other traditional customs are there for Christmas? Now, let's uncover the traditions and customs of Christmas together!
Traditions And Customs Of Christmas
1. Decorating the Christmas tree
The Christmas tree is one of the most representative symbols of Christmas. Usually in early December or on Christmas Eve, families will choose a pine tree (or artificial tree) and then decorate it with colored lights, Christmas balls, stars and various decorations. Usually a star or an angel is placed on the top of the tree, symbolizing the star of Jesus' birth.
2. Exchanging gifts
One of the most symbolic activities of Christmas is giving and receiving gifts. Family members, friends, colleagues, etc. will give each other gifts full of heart, which also represents the sharing of love and the transmission of blessings. Many families will exchange gifts on Christmas morning or Christmas Eve.
3. Christmas dinner and delicacies
Christmas dinner is usually an important part of family gatherings. Traditional Christmas meals include turkey, roasted meat, Christmas pudding, potatoes, carrots, cranberry sauce, etc. Christmas dinners vary in different countries and regions. For example, the traditional Christmas meal in the UK includes roast turkey and Christmas pudding. In the United States, turkey and cranberry sauce are also essential foods for Christmas dinner.
4. Christmas music and songs
Christmas songs are an important part of Christmas. Classic Christmas songs include "Silent Night", "Jingle Bells", "Merry Christmas", etc. Many people will play these songs at home or participate in Christmas concerts, Christmas parades and other activities. In some countries, there is a tradition of singing Christmas carols during Christmas.
5. The arrival of Santa Claus
Santa Claus is another major symbol of Christmas. Legend has it that Santa Claus will enter children's homes through the chimney on Christmas Eve and leave gifts. Children usually hang stockings by the bed or beside the stove on Christmas Eve, looking forward to Santa Claus bringing gifts. The image of Santa Claus is a happy old man wearing red clothes, a white beard and carrying a large bag of gifts.
6. Church mass and religious activities
For Christians, Christmas is a religious festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Many Christians will attend church masses on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Church masses usually include singing Christmas carols, praying and listening to the pastor tell the story of Jesus' birth. For Christians, Christmas is a time for religious worship.
7. Christmas markets
In some countries, especially in Europe, Christmas markets will be set up during Christmas. These markets usually have all kinds of Christmas decorations, handicrafts, festival snacks, mulled wine and other commodities. Tourists and residents can buy Christmas gifts at the market, enjoy festival delicacies, and also participate in some celebration activities.
8. Christmas cards and blessings
Sending Christmas cards is also a traditional custom. People will send blessings to relatives and friends before and after Christmas, passing on the warmth and wishes of the festival. Nowadays, although electronic cards and blessings on social media are becoming more and more popular, traditional paper Christmas cards are still a part of many people's celebration of Christmas.
9. Christmas carols
In some places, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States, there is a tradition of "Christmas carols" during Christmas. Groups of people in festive costumes sing Christmas songs on the streets, in shopping malls, in churches and other places, spreading the joy of the festival to people. At the same time, they often receive some small gifts or donations.
10. Countdown and "Christmas stockings"
The countdown before Christmas is an important activity, especially in Western countries. Many families will use a "Christmas countdown calendar". Let children open a small window every day. There may be small gifts or candies hidden inside until Christmas arrives. In some families, children will also hang Christmas stockings and wait for Santa Claus to arrive.
11. Ice and snow activities and outdoor celebrations
In the cold winter, especially in countries in the northern hemisphere, Christmas is also a good time for winter outdoor activities. Activities such as skating, skiing and making snowmen are all ways for many people to celebrate the festival. In some places, there will also be light shows and snow parades before and after Christmas.
12. Charity and care
Christmas is also a festival that focuses on charity and sharing. Many people will participate in charity activities during Christmas, donating food, clothing, toys and other items to help those in need. One of the spirits of Christmas is to share love and warmth.
What is the most popular Christmas tradition in the US?
In the United States, one of the most popular Christmas traditions must be decorating the Christmas tree. The whole family gathers together and hangs beautiful colored lights and various decorations on the tree. And an angel or star will be placed on the top of the tree.
The second is the roast turkey dinner. A fat turkey, carefully roasted, is filled with fillings such as a mixture of sausages, breadcrumbs, nuts, etc. This is the central role on the Christmas table. Paired with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, it is simply excellent.
Exchanging gifts is also a very popular tradition. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, family and friends sit around and exchange carefully prepared gifts. The atmosphere of expectation and surprise is very wonderful.
In addition, many communities will hold Christmas parades. Floats, bands and the appearance of Santa Claus attract everyone to take to the streets and feel the strong festive atmosphere together.
What is an old fashioned Christmas?
Do you know? In old-fashioned Christmas, great attention is paid to the family atmosphere. On Christmas Eve, the family will start preparing early. For example, make various decorations by hand to decorate the Christmas tree. Not gorgeous plastic decorations, but handicrafts such as dried flowers, self-made small wood carvings, and colored cloth pieces.
In terms of diet, old-fashioned Christmas will have traditional roast goose or roast ham. These roast geese or roast hams are all carefully roasted after long-term pickling. The side dishes are also very classic, like mashed potatoes made from home-grown potatoes and handmade jam with bread.
Finally, at Christmas, the family will also sit around the fireplace burning firewood, sharing stories of the past year while singing ancient Christmas carols.
Gifts are not very commercial either. Most of them are self-knitted scarves and hand-carved small ornaments, full of heart. Secondly, in old-fashioned Christmas, church activities are the highlight. Going to church for worship on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, giving thanks and praying is a very solemn ritual.
What do most Americans do on Christmas Eve?
The day before Christmas is Christmas Eve. At this time, most Americans will be immersed in the warm Christmas atmosphere. Some people will rush home on this day to reunite with their relatives and look forward to celebrating Christmas together.
At the same time, many families will decorate the Christmas tree together. Everyone hangs up their cherished ornaments one by one, including cute little angels and shiny snowflake pendants, making the Christmas tree extremely beautiful.
Secondly, people will also prepare food for Christmas. The family will be busy in the kitchen. The fragrance of roast turkey fills the whole house. Some will also make gingerbread men and arrange them in interesting shapes.
Children will also excitedly hang stockings by the fireplace or beside the bed, looking forward to Santa Claus' gifts.
Why is Christmas the most popular holiday in the US?
The reason why Christmas is very popular in the United States is that Christmas is full of family emotions. On this day, no matter how busy everyone is on weekdays, they will try their best to rush home and reunite. The family sits around the table full of traditional delicacies such as roast turkey and mashed potatoes. While enjoying the food, they share their lives with each other. It is really super warm.
Secondly, in terms of culture, all kinds of traditional customs of Christmas are extremely attractive. Decorating the Christmas tree is like a family art creation. Everyone hangs their love and creativity on the tree. In addition, for the link of exchanging gifts, whether adults or children, they are all looking forward to receiving carefully prepared gifts. That sense of surprise is simply wonderful.
Finally, during Christmas, many communities and businesses will also create a strong festive atmosphere. The streets are full of beautiful Christmas lights, cute Santa Claus dolls, and various Christmas markets.
Church activities also give people spiritual sustenance. The mass on Christmas Eve is full of a sense of holiness, making people feel that their souls are purified. All these make Christmas the most popular holiday in the United States.
What is the most popular Christmas thing?
The Christmas tree is one of the most popular Christmas objects and is a symbol of Christmas. Real trees or artificial trees, will be carefully decorated by people. Wrap with colored lights, hang glass balls, cherub, snowflake pendants and other ornaments, and place bright stars or cute angel dolls on the top of the tree.
Christmas stockings are also popular. Children hang them on their beds or by the fireplace on Christmas Eve, expecting Santa to fill them with presents.
Gingerbread Man cookies are so popular. The taste is sweet, rich with ginger and cinnamon, and varied in shape. Use icing to draw features and clothes, which can be eaten by oneself, or as a gift to relatives and friends.
Christmas wreaths are indispensable. Made of pine branches, pine cones, etc., decorated with red berries and beautiful bows, hung on the door or wall, the door feels a strong Christmas atmosphere.
These Christmas items, each with its own characteristics, together create a warm and happy holiday atmosphere, so that people can fully enjoy this beautiful moment.
