Christmas/Holiday Traditions Around the World
Fun things about Christmas/Holiday traditions Around the World. Take for instance, the Land Down Under, because, well, someday I want to visit there, just probably not at Christmas. The English and Irish predominately settled Australia so it stands to reason their traditions reflect those countries. Here’s a few of of their Christmas Traditions.
Aussie’s decorate their homes with ferns, palm leaves and evergreens along with 
blooming flowers of Christmas Bush and Christmas Bell Flower. It’s summer time in December down under, when most of the United States is looking forward to big flakes and blankets of snow for a white Christmas.
Carols by Candlelight is one of the popular events in Australia. People come together under the stars at night to light candles and sing Christmas carols. Seems to me, it’s not far from our own tradition of Christmas carolers. I just can’t imagine Christmas/holiday without snow, that’s why I live in Colorado. Hehe!
Christmas Day is when families and close friends gather from all over Australia for a holiday midday dinner. Some enjoy a traditional British Christmas dinner of roast turkey or ham and rich plum pudding doused in brandy and set on fire before it is brought to the table. Other families head for the backyard barbie to grill their Christmas dinner, maybe shrimp, in the sunshine or go to the beach and enjoy a picnic of cold turkey or ham and a salad. To the delight of children, Father Christmas in shorts may appear to greet children at the beach on Christmas/holiday! If you can’t have snow, that’s the way to celebrate Christmas.
Because I am of Swedish descent, let’s take a peek at Christmas Traditions in Sweden where in December the days are quite short, the nights long and the ground is usually snow covered. The Christmas/holiday season begins at church on the first Sunday of Advent, which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Children use an Advent calendar to keep track of the first day of December until Christmas, just like some of ours do. Each morning, they open a flap in the calendar’s Christmas scene to see the charming picture behind it. This year, I have a Victorian Advent calendar on my computer and enjoy a surprise behind each door daily.
The festivities in Sweden really begin with St. Lucia’s Day, December 13th, a 
celebration of the patron saint of light. A Christmas market held in the old medieval section of Stockholm is where you can find handmade toys, ornaments, and candy. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? Some people write a special verse to accompany the gift and even seal the package with colorful sealing wax. I have enough trouble with scotch tape and wrapping paper, I can’t imagine what would happen with hot sealing wax. Not a pretty sight, I’m sure. A Christmas tree is selected by the whole family just a day or two before Christmas and decorated, while the delightful aroma of gingerbread cookies in the shape of hearts, stars, or other festive shapes waft through to house. Christmas 
Eve is when the main feast is eaten. Presents might be brought by Santa 
(Jultomten) or by gnomes/elves named Tomte or Nissar. Many families set out a sheaf of grain on a pole for hungry birds. My hubby and I always put out special treats for the wild birds in our Aspen grove on Christmas.
As for my family, we put up the tree, Christmas decorations inside and out, the weekend after Thanksgiving. Or try to. No it’s not a real tree, only because I’m allergic. <sigh> We watch Christmas movies throughout December and make candy such as Divinity, Fantasy Fudge and Beaver Dams. What are 
Beaver Dams, you ask. Well, take a package of butterscotch chips, melt them in a double boiler, stir in half-package of crispy Chow Mein Noodles and one half can of cocktail peanuts. Spoon the concoction onto foil in small mounds and let set. They look like beaver dams hence the name. YUMMY.
This year I’m going, to once again, try my hand at gingerbread cookies. Its become a Christmas Tradition of sorts, an make my family cringe. Why you ask? I haven’t had a lot of luck in previous years getting a good tasting cookie. But last year, thanks to a great recipe, not only did they turn out, but it’s become a beloved tradition now. Goes great with hot chocolate and marshmallows. LOL
Speaking of things that go good with hot chocolate. A heartwarming holiday tale, fits the bill! I’ve got just the one for you AND it’s on sale #99cents. A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING. A small town paranormal romance/mystery paired with hope of wildlife rescue, second chances, the magic of family & friends make this a must read. Check out my other paranormal romance/mysteries here!
Next week My Favorite Things About Christmas. What Christmas or holiday traditions do and your family observe during the month of December? I look forward to hearing from you. I’d love for you to tell me about your traditions in the comments!
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Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged A Witch's Holiday Wedding, Holiday, Holiday Traditions Around the World, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Shapeshifters, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.
Terrific post! Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and prosperous new year!
Thank you so much Kim. So glad you enjoyed the post. Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Such interesting traditions! I love hearing how different people celebrate. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Me too! Thanks for popping in Jennifer! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family!
What a wonderful post, Tena! I’m going to make those Beaver Dams. They sound delicious! A few of our traditions are bringing out the Nutcrackers the weekend of Thanksgiving, decorating is a slow procedure. The tree is last, usually the week before Christmas. For me, the holiday truly begins on the Winter Solstice and ends on January 6th. During this time, I totally shutdown from the outside world and spend time with family and friends. It’s also a time of inner reflection. Wishing you a lovely holiday season! xoxo
I’m happy you enjoyed the post. I love researching the traditions of others. The Beaver Dams are wonderful, you and your family will enjoy them, and so easy. The next two weeks will hopefully be quiet ones of us. One more Christmas Light looking trip and then cozy at home with family and friends.
Time to clean up my writing cave, and enjoy reading a few books in front of the fireplace. Yep, decorating this year has been slow. Bruce has the week after Christmas off, so we’ll get the decorations down and put away then have a little R&R before the New Year. Wishing you Merry Christmas and Happy and prosperous New Year!
Really interesting post, Tena. Thanks for all the great information. I’d love to try Plum pudding sometime–I’ve heard so much about it. As for those Beaver Dams you mentioned–definitely plan to make them before G/kids get here Christmas. Thanks for the recipe 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and your famuly