Christmas Traditions from Around the World
December is here, which means the Christmas celebrations can begin in full force. This year we asked our staff to each share one of their favorite holiday traditions with you from their lives all over the world.
Janna Moats
Grew up in: Central California
Favorite Christmas Tradition
I have 2 favorite traditions — both around food. We always make Korabia, a butter cookie from Turkey to have on the night we decorate the tree. The other tradition is Swedish Cardamom Wreath, a bread we have on Christmas morning.
Colleen Milstein
Grew up in: South Africa
Favorite Christmas Tradition
Opening Christmas crackers and wearing the Christmas hats inside.
Hanna Lederer
Grew up in: Germany
Favorite Christmas Tradition
In Germany the Christmas tree isn’t set up until the day of Christmas Eve. The door of the living room will be closed all day — and no one is allowed to enter — and after dinner the ring of a bell announces that now is the time where the family (mainly the kids) are allowed to step into the living room to see the beautiful decorated tree and Christmas gifts for the first time. It’s a great time together of excitement, anticipation and celebration of the Christmas cheer.
Kenny Snyder
Grew up in: Southern Oregon
Favorite Christmas Tradition
Getting the tree and trimming it with family.
Yvonne Dos Santos
Grew up in: South Africa
Favorite Christmas Tradition
One of my favourite traditions was from my years in Bangkok. On Christmas Eve we would have friends over for a dinner of Raclette cheese. After that we would go to the midnight service at church.
Philippa Laird
Grew up in: New Zealand
Favorite Christmas Tradition
Big Christmas dinner meals shared with family and friends going late into the night.
Heather Wood
Grew up in: Canada
Favorite Christmas Tradition
Advent — the celebration leading up to Christmas was my favourite! My mom made an advent calendar that had little gifts for each day of December.
Jeanette Rawlins
Grew up in: England, Kenya
Favorite Christmas Tradition
Celebrating advent & lighting the candle each week.
Steve Kilpatrick
Grew up in: Iowa
Favorite Christmas Tradition
Karen (my wife) and I instituted a favorite tradition as the first Christians in our families. We would set out a Nativity Scene in early December each year. However we left the baby Jesus out of the scene until Christmas morning. Instead we put a tin with straw in it and each child could put one blade of straw in for each helpful or selfless action towards another family member. In this way they were preparing the way for a comfortable resting place for Jesus on Christmas morning.
Lance Rawlins
Grew up in: South Africa
Favorite Christmas Tradition
Barbecue & volleyball with about 100 of my family members.
Jenna Funkhouser
Grew up in: Portland, OR
Favorite Christmas Tradition
Cutting down the Christmas tree in the rain, and drinking hot cocoa out of thermoses. Also doing an elaborate fondue with my whole family on Christmas Eve.
What’s your favorite Christmas tradition? We’d love for you to share with us here!
