Understanding the History and Significance of Christmas Traditions Across the Globe
Christmas and the holiday season is celebrated in all corners of the world, but it looks different in each culture. Each country has their own unique history and traditions that make up their celebration of Christmas and the holidays. Here, we will explore some of these cultural celebrations and how they differ from one another.
In many countries throughout Europe, Christmas starts with Advent – a period of four Sundays in December leading up to Christmas Day. During this period of anticipation, families gather to decorate the tree, exchange presents and enjoy festive feasts with family and friends. The decorations include wreaths made of evergreens, holly berries, poinsettias for color as well as ornaments made from glass or wood that have been collected over the years. Christmas trees are a big part of European tradition – usually around 7 to 8 feet tall – decorated with tinsel, lights, candy canes and angels on top while gifts are exchanged beneath it on Christmas morning.
From Yule to Kwanzaa: A Cultural Exploration of Winter Holiday Celebrations
In East Asia, Japan is known for its unique version of celebrating winter holidays called Shōgatsu (New Year). During this time people often visit temples or shrines to pray for good luck in the New Year as well as visit family members to offer them greetings for a prosperous year ahead. Gifts are given during Shōgatsu – usually wrapped in furoshiki (fabric wrapping) – such items include candies, homemade dishes and small presents like mochi (rice cakes). In some parts of Japan homes get cleaned from top to bottom to rid themselves of bad energy from the past year while doors are also adorned with special pine decorations called kadomatsu which symbolizes eternal fertility and include bamboo branches, pine needles and rice straws. And festive food like ozōni (soup) is served during New Year’s celebration along with osechi ryōri – traditional Japanese dishes prepared at the beginning of each year made up of dishes such as sweetened black beans (kuromame), simmered vegetables (ninjin), herring roe (koi-no-hiraki) etc.
In America many states celebrate Thanksgiving before Christmas – a day dedicated to expressing gratitude for all that one has achieved during the past year surrounded by loved ones while enjoying a hearty meal together. On Thanksgiving Day Americans often fill their table with turkey accompanied by mashed potatoes smothered in gravy, stuffing topped with cranberry sauce as well as sweet potato pie or pumpkin pie for dessert – all served on decorative plates usually brought out only once per year just for this occasion! After Thanksgiving it’s time for Christmas when houses get covered in sparkly lights outside while inside trees are decorated with baubles & gifts placed underneath waiting to be opened on Christmas morning when children eagerly wake up expecting to find presents especially left by Santa Claus! Additionally popular decorations include mistletoe hung above doorways which bring good luck if two people stand beneath it & exchange kisses!
The holiday season looks very different across cultures but what ties them all together is joyous spirit felt through shared experiences & traditions regardless where we come from or observe celebrations differently!