Christmas is a widely celebrated holiday but Christmas traditions vary from country to country. Some countries eat turkey on Christmas day whereas others may eat lamb or pork. To find out about Christmas traditions in different countries, click on one of these options below.
[[Greece]]
[[Mexico]]
[[Singapore]]You have chosen to learn about traditions in Greece. What would you like to start with?
[[Greek Christmas Greetings]]
[[Greek Food]]
[[Greek Traditions]]
[[Choose a different country]]You have chosen to learn about traditions in Mexico. What would you like to start with?
[[Mexican Christmas Greetings]]
[[Mexican Food]]
[[Mexican Traditions]]
[[Choose a different country]]You have chosen to learn about traditions in Singapore. What would you like to start with?
[[Singaporean Christmas Greetings]]
[[Singaporean Food]]
[[Singaporean Traditions]]
[[Choose a different country]]To say Merry Christmas in Greek, you would say: Καλά Χριστούγεννα which is pronounced Kala Christougenna. Also, Christmas tree is χριστουγεννιάτικο δέντρο (christougenniátiko déntro).
Back to [[Greece]]On Christmas day, it is traditional to eat roasted lamb or pork in Greece instead of turkey like the UK. There are also many Greek pastries such as Baklava, a sweet dessert consisting of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. As well as this, Christopsomo (Christmas Bread) is used as a table decoration and then eaten on Christmas Day.
Back to [[Greece]]
In Greece, presents are left under the tree by Ἅγιος Βασίλειος (St Basil) who is their version of Santa. These presents are not opened until January 1st, otherwise known as St Basil's Day.
Instead of Christmas elves, Greek folklore tells of mischievous goblins called καλλικάντζαροι (pronounced kallikantzaroi) who live underground and only emerge during the 12 days of Christmas, from December 25th to January 6th. These troublemaking creatures are said to come down people's chimneys and put out their fires or make milk go off. Some also believe they wear iron boots which they use to kick people!
Christmas decorations in Greece often include large illuminated models of ships and boats.
Back to [[Greece]]There are lots of different languages spoken in Singapore, the most common being English. However, many still speak other languages i.e. Mandarin (Chinese), Malay and Tamil - an Indian language. Here's how to say 'Merry Christmas' in the languages mentioned
English - Merry Christmas
Mandarin - 圣诞节快乐 (Shèngdàn jié kuàilè)
Malay - Selamat Hari Natal
Tamil - கிறிஸ்துமஸ் வாழ்த்துக்கள் (Kiṟistumas vāḻttukkaḷ)
Back to [[Singapore]]Singaporean Christmas Food is surprisingly similar to English Christmas Food. Although, it may be served with fried rice and/or Asian spices. They also eat fruitcake, eggnog and gingerbread.
Back to [[Singapore]]Some religions in Singapore don't celebrate Christmas but even so, Christmas is a massive holiday. One of the main Christmas activities in Singapore is shopping. All shops are fully decorated and usually have longer opening hours at this time. One of the largest shopping districts in Singapore is Orchard Road, where they also hold Christmas carol concerts.
Back to [[Singapore]]Although Mexico is one of the few countries without an official language, actually having 68 national languages, most Mexicans speak Spanish. As you may already know, Feliz Navidad is how you say Merry Christmas in Spanish.
Back to [[Mexico]]In Mexico, the main Christmas meal is generally eaten on Christmas Eve - known as Noche Buena in Spanish. Mexico has many different Christmas dishes including: pavo (turkey); romeritos (a green vegetable in a spicy chocolate sauce); and bacalao (salt cod cooked in tomato sauce).
Back to [[Mexico]]Christmas is celebrated from the 12th of December to the 6th of January. On the days leading up to Christmas Eve, Posadas take place, which are processions where children carry candles and figures of Mary and Joseph to represent the story of the nativity.
They travel to three houses in total, singing songs at each house about Joseph and Mary's need for a place to stay the night. At two of the three houses, the children are turned away but at the third house they are invited in and a party is held.
There are nine Posada processions and each night, the party is held at a different house. On the final night of the Posadas, the children are given a board with a manger and shepherds, instead of Mary, Joseph and a donkey.
A common game played at Posada parties is piñata. Often the piñata takes the shape of a seven-pronged ball with the prongs representing the seven deadly sins.
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