With the Christmas season upon us, customs and traditional ways of celebrating the holiday are in full swing. While some traditions generally remain the same around the world, such as Santa Claus and Christmas trees, others are unique to particular regions. America, and especially Lancaster, contains a mixture of people from around the world, which creates a blend of holiday traditions. 

In South America, Christmas has more religious observances than in some other parts of the world, due to the large percentage of Catholics. Nativity scenes are set up in nearly every home and in the churches. South Americans do have their version of Santa Claus, or Father Christmas as he would be called in their languages, but he is not as common. Christmas Eve carries a lot of the celebration, with feasting late in the night, followed by midnight mass. Usually, Christmas Day itself involves sleeping in and gathering with family later in the day to eat more food.

Africa, too, has a larger population of Christians, and they focus more on the religious aspect of the holiday. Going to church on Christmas is expected, and they put on a variety of programs, ranging from Nativity plays to parades. Africans also emphasize their Christmas dinner with family and friends. Gift-giving is involved, although the gifts are usually simple and inexpensive. Some parts of Africa may see cultural dances, and serving the needy in the community, such as the orphans, is common. Due to the warmer climate, some South Africans spend their holiday camping or hosting barbecues. 

Australia’s Christmas is also in their summer season, so the beaches fill up the day after Christmas with folks having a barbecue. Traditionally, Australians say Santa Claus trades out his reindeer for kangaroos, and dons an outfit that is much cooler than the heavy red coat portrayed elsewhere in the world. Christmas down under is celebrated with festivals, parades, gift-giving, and special services singing carols by candlelight. And of course, the typical seafood dinner, followed up by Christmas pudding, cannot be forgotten! 

Due to its much smaller Christian population, Asia does not hold to many of the religious traditions, but rather is more commercialized. Christmas lights are a huge part of the celebration, with displays and light shows all over the place. In some Asian countries, Christmas is not a public holiday, meaning that schools and businesses are still open, but people find ways to celebrate regardless, giving gifts to their loved ones. Several countries have their own unique traditions, such as giving Christmas apples in China and the famous star-shaped lanterns in the Philippines. 

One distinct characteristic of the holiday season in Europe is the Christmas market. Many places set up stalls in town squares with special Christmas treats, hot drinks, original crafts, Christmas decorations, and live entertainment. Each country in Europe has its own language and culture that influences special traditions they have, but another thread that ties these countries together at Christmas is the custom of Advent calendars and wreaths, beginning four Sundays before Christmas. Here, Santa Claus answers to several names, but frequently he is known as Saint Nicholas or Father Christmas.

At home in the U.S., many traditions are kept due to the variety of cultures represented, but many Americans gather with family and friends for food and gift exchanges. Among McCaskey students, it’s fascinating to see how their backgrounds influence the way they celebrate and the foods they eat for Christmas. Bethlyne Jean-Louis, a senior, shared that her family includes fried plantains in their Christmas dinner, along with a more common main dish of turkey. Speaking about cultural foods, Zolimarie Miranda-Cosme (eleventh grade) said, “Cultural food is what brings you back to old memories of your loved ones, baking your favorite seasonal dish. Those will forever be memories I cherish.” No matter what the traditions are, whether it be food or fun, they create memories to hold on to. So whatever traditions you keep this holiday season, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!