Christmas around the World

Feliz Navidad

Maligayang Pasko

Bon Nadal

Frohe Weihnachten!

メリー クリスマス Mehri Kurisumasu

Merry Christmas

聖誕快樂! shèngdàn kuàilè

Subha Christmas

Христос се роди

Joyeux Noël

Buon Natale

Bella Festas daz Nadal

20 Dec 2011

Austria “Frohe Weihnachten!“

Christmas is a big tradition in Austria. In mid-November, the Christmas markets start.

In December you can

buy Christmas trees in

many places.

The markets sell

traditional goods and

famous Glühwein. The

illumination in the town is

beautiful and everywhere

is traditional decoration.

In the evening of the 24th

we celebrate and sing the

Austrian composed “Stille

Nacht” (Silent Night). Many

people eat fish.

At midnight we go to

church to celebrate.

India

Days before the festival markets take a colorful look as they are decorated with traditional Christmas trees, stars, images of Santa, balloons and festoons.

On the Christmas Day, Christmas gifts are exchanged. It is a time for

family reunions when people staying in different cities rush back to home to celebrate with family and friends.

Christmas Day called 'Bada Din' (Big Day) in Hindi is a national holiday in India and people from all religions join their Christian friends to make the

most of the joyous celebrations.

Mumbai: there is a tradition to depict nativity

scenes and decorate home with big stars.

Goa: Missa de Galo or Cock Crow – Mid night traditional mass till early morning.

“Subha Christmas!“

In south India, light clay lamps are placed on

house walls, doors and rooftops. Some decorate banana or mango trees instead of pine trees.

Japan “メリー クリスマス! “

Though Christmas is not

a national holiday in Japan,

we still celebrate it.

It is a time when

people celebrate the

time with their loved

ones.

The illumination in the

town is beautiful. Shops

and trees are dressed

with gorgeous lights and

decorations.

Parents and couples

exchange gifts.

Mehri Kurisumasu

Mauritius “Joyeux Noël!“

We also dance the Sega and admire the fireworks.

The noise distracts the children while the presents are

being placed under the Christmas tree.

In Mauritius, Santa Claus comes by

boat or waterskiis. He is the

coolest Santa around!

Mexico “¡Feliz Navidad!” There are many special traditions surrounding Christmas in Mexico. Some of these originated in Spain and

others developed due to Mexico's particular history.

The Posadas From the 16th to the 24th processions reenact Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem. These processions lead to a different house every night for the culmination of the posada. Star piñatas are also prepared

during the posadas

Pastorelas Pastorelas are theatrical presentations of the shepherds on their

way to see baby Jesus. These originated during Mexico's colonial period as a way to teach the native people about Catholic dogma,

Nacimientos Nativity scenes are a common Christmas decoration and are a beautiful example of Mexican folk art.

Día de Reyes January 6th is Epiphany, celebrated in Mexico as Día de Reyes. This is when children

traditionally receive gifts, brought by the three wise men. On this day it is also customary to share a Rosca de Reyes among friends and family. This is a special sweet bread in the shape of a wreath.

The festivities last through much of the month of December and last until Epiphany with the celebration of Día de Reyes.

People traditionally

cooked turkey or jam rolls.

For appetizers, tamales are

served; for dessert, doña

pepa nougat.

From the beginning of

November, the city is lit up

and huge Christmas trees

appear in the districts.

All the families prepare a

Nativity Scene. You can

choose different themes

from the coast, the andes

or the jungle. Catedral of Lima

Characato Nativity Scene (Arequipa, south of Peru)

Turkey, doña pepa and tamales

Parties and gifts for

children in the poorest

areas are organized by

various volunteer groups.

“¡Feliz Navidad!” Peru

Philippines “Maligayang Pasko!”

Christmas or "Pasko" is the most

awaited celebration and happiest event in the Philippines. The country celebrates the world's longest Christmas season with carols heard as early as September and the season lasting up until January 9.

Parol or Star Lanterns

The symbol of Christmas

in the Philippines, It

represents the star of

Bethlehem or the

guiding light.

Simbang Gabi or Dawn Masses

An important Filipino Christmas tradition, these nine dawn

Masses refer to the practice of performing nine days of

private or public devotion to obtain special graces.

Originally set at dawn to allow farmers to attend mass, the

novena is completed by all walks of life.

Noche Buena or Christmas Feast

Families gather on Christmas Eve and

serve lechon (roasted pig), pancit,

barbecue, rice, adobo, cakes, lumpia,

etc. There is also an abundance of San

Miguel beer, wine, and liquor!

Serbia “Христос се роди” Hristos se rodi/Christ is born In Serbia the Church is the

Orthodox Church (Greek-ortodox). In this Church we still use the 'Julian' Calendar, which means Christmas

Eve in on 6th January and Christmas Day in on the 7th January!

Cesnica, a special kind of bread, is eaten. Each member of the family gets a piece (and the house does too). There is a coin hidden in

it and whoever gets the coin will be particularly fortunate in the next year!

We have a special way of greeting each other on Christmas which we use instead. One is to say “Christ is

born”(“Hristos se rodi” ) to which the other(s) is to respond: “Truly, he is born” (“Vaistinu se rodi”). After that, you can usually add “merry Christmas.”

On the morning of Christmas Eve the father of the family used to go to the forest to cut a young oak called the 'Badnjak' (Christmas Eve tree). Under the table there should also be some straw as a symbol of the

stable/cave where Jesus was born.

The burning of the Badnjak represents the fire that kept the newly born Jesus warm through the night. The festivity starts off with religious customs and eases into the gathering

around the fire and socializing.

Spain “¡Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo!”

24th December

25th December

31st December

5th January

The night of the 24th is called

“Nochebuena” (the Good

Night) and we celebrate

with our families the day

Jesus was born.

The “Comida del

Día de Navidad” or

lunch on Christmas

day is also a family

event.

Friends and families have

dinner together on

Nochevieja to celebrate

the new year with cava. 12

pieces of grapes are

eaten during the last 12

seconds of the year.

The night of the 5th, “los Tres

Reyes Magos” bring

presents to everybody!! It is

great to wake up on the 6th,

and see all the presents

below the Christmas tree!

“Mantecados”, “Turrón”

and “Polvorones” are

typical Christmas desserts.

Every 6th of

January, we

eat Roscón

de Reyes for

breakfast.

In every house, in

addition to the

Christmas tree, we

build a “Belén”,

which depicts

Bethlehem, where

Jesus was born.

Switzerland

“Frohi Wiehnachte” Swiss German

Although Switzerland barely has 8m inhabitants, it is a

country of rich culture. The four main cultures based on languages and two main religions (Catholic and Protestant) are reflected in

different Christmas traditions, ranging from celebrating midnight masses, over partying with friends to spending some quality time with loved ones.

“Joyeux Noël” French

“Buon Natale” Italian

“Bella Festas daz Nadal” Rumantsch

Star(t)

>25 <25

Mountain City

Christmas Decision Tree

- Skiing with family

- Fondue Chinoise

- Family time

- Fondue Chinoise

- Party with friends

Taiwan

“聖誕快樂!”

Taipei 101 (Xmas Tree) The building demonstrates different designs based on different holidays.

Taiwanese people are very familiar with Christmas although only around 5% of the population practice Christianity. It’s easy to see holiday decorations and hear the Christmas songs on the street. Shops promote the practice of giving Christmas gifts.

Christmas is more for younger people meeting up with friends rather than holding family reunions.

Dec. 25 is also Constitution Day in Taiwan. Until 2001, people had one day-off, a good excuse to party!

shèngdàn kuàilè

United Kingdom “Merry Christmas!” During the weeks before

Christmas, the British love to send Christmas cards, attend carol services and watch nativity plays. Christmas decorations fill the houses and churches.

Every year, the Queen

addresses the nation

with her Christmas

speech at 3pm on

Christmas day.

The main presents are opened late-

morning or afternoon and no UK

household forgets the huge feast of

Christmas lunch/dinner celebrated

by the whole family.

Mince pies are a favourite in the UK

and eaten throughout the day. A

traditional Christmas dinner consists of

roast turkey (or other poultry such as

pheasant, duck or goose), stuffing,

potatoes, brussel sprouts, gravy,

cranberry sauce and pigs in blanket.

The meal ends with a Christmas

pudding and brandy cream.

Unlike our European neighbours who go

to midnight mass on 24th, most British go

to church on the 25th December.

Christmas is celebrated on 25th with the

opening stockings, filled with small gifts,

usually hanging in the bedroom. Then it’s

off to breakfast!

Christmas crackers were introduced by the Victorians – a must when

having Christmas meals. They are cardboard tubes wrapped in bright

Christmas paper, which is pulled at either end by two people until it

splits open with a bang – inside are small toys, gifts and jokes. People

also wear paper crowns on their heads throughout the meal.

Contributors

• Austria – Stefan Reise

• India – Nishant Dobhal

• Japan – Gaku Hiruta

• Mauritius – Cedric Masson

• Mexico – Julieta Dorantes

• Peru – Vanessa Gómez

If you want to contribute to the Christmas Around the World Project, kindly send an

email to aimee.flordeliza@iese.net.

• Philippines – Aimee Flordeliza

• Serbia – Slavko Bukvic

• Spain – Mar Morales, Andrea Gonzales and

Marta Amoros

• Switzerland – Alexandre Pomi

• Taiwan – Katrina Hsu

• UK – Christian McDermott

IESE MBA Class of 2012 students