Looking for something new, interesting, and fun to do this Christmas? Tradition is never a bad thing, but sometimes switching things up a little can make for an exciting experience! If you’re keen to try something unique that will have your guests talking, why not base your Christmas on the traditions from a different country?
Not everyone celebrates Christmas the same way! While you may have done the same things, eaten the same food, and sung the same songs for the past few decades, spicing it up with some different ideas is a great way to have a memorable Christmas and learn about different cultures at the same time.
Here are some ideas to switch up your 2022 Christmas and enjoy something new and unique!
Go South African
South Africa’s Christmas is smack in the middle of summer, so it’s likely to be spent with a beer around the “braai” (barbecue) and cooling off in the pool. Not that you’ll be attempting that in the middle of winter, but you can give your Christmas a definite South African slant in terms of food, decor, and activities. If you’re in the UK, you’re also likely to have an SA shop nearby, where you can shop for all the essentials!
Food
Turkey on the braai, glazed gammon, probably more meat! Various salads usually accompany the meat, including the ever-popular potato salad. While waiting for the braai, snack on biltong and potato chips with a South African beer in hand.
Dessert
Koeksisters (sticky, syrupy dough twirls), melktert (milk tart), malva pudding, Christmas fruit mince pies.
Activities:
South Africans are active people by nature, so Christmas day usually includes some backyard cricket or soccer, followed by a swim. Christmas crackers are usually pulled around the table as well.
Go Italian
Italians are all about good food, and that doesn’t change over Christmas. Interestingly, the Italians start their Christmas festivities the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, and the celebrations continue until early January. You don’t have to put on such an event, though—but if you want to stick to an Italian theme, there are some traditions you shouldn’t miss.
Food
Only seafood on Christmas Eve! And paste, of course. On Christmas day, you can find up to a dozen dishes for the feast! These include a roast, a spread of vegetables, and baked pasta dishes.
Dessert
Panettone (sweetbread loaded with fruit and nuts). Each region has their own sweet treats, but another common one to find is mostaccioli, spiced nut pastries.
Activities
“Midnight” mass on Christmas eve is a popular tradition. In Italy, this actually means meeting in St. Peter’s Square at 9:30pm for the Pope’s message, which you can watch on TV instead if you want to get the real Italian feel.
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Go American
The USA moves straight from Thanksgiving to Christmas, so their end-of-year is packed with food, fun, and holiday tradition. Some American families go searching for their perfect Christmas tree, cut it down, and bring it home, but that might be hard to do where you are. Either way, prepare for a lot of delicious food and some exciting activities!
Food
Turkey (have you seen the size of those turkey legs?), stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, potatoes (often mashed), vegetables. Sometimes includes a Christmas ham.
Dessert
Eggnog, fruitcake, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple pie, Christmas cookies.
Activities
For fun and treats, build a gingerbread house with your guests! Carolling is also a popular pastime in the USA, so if you can, walk around the neighbourhood in a group and spread some Christmas cheer. Oh, and wear an ugly Christmas sweater!
Go polish
Poland’s Christmas traditions are all about family and traditional food. There’s a belief that the way you spend Christmas Eve will set the tone for the entire year ahead, so they make a big effort to make the day lovely and friendly for everyone.
Polish people also believe that no work should be done on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing day, so if you want to stick to tradition, you need to get all your food cooked and decor sorted before the first star appears in the sky on Christmas Eve. No pressure!
Food
Christmas Eve is a meat-free day. Dinner includes 12 dishes, representing each of the 12 apostles, which include pierogi, cabbage rolls, and challah (Jewish bread).
Dessert
Gingerbread (called pierniki), poppy seed cake, Polish cheesecake, wheat flour and honey dessert. The desserts are included in the 12 dishes.
Activities
Decorate your tree with apples, sweets, and nuts to symbolise a good harvest. Christmas Eve dinner is eaten once the first star appears in the sky, but only after each guest has broken the Christmas wafers and exchanged wishes.
Go french
Love French food? Doing a French-style Christmas promises to be as tasty as it is interesting! The main meal happens on Christma Eve, and usually starts around 8pm. Gifts are exchanged at midnight, but the focus is largely on the food.
Food
Appetisers include baked cheese puffs, canapes, layered dips, and cheese twists. Foie gras is the most common Christmas starter, served with baguette. Escargot, oysters, turkey with chestnut stuffing, roast potatoes, and roast chestnuts. And of course, champagne!
Dessert
A cheese platter is served before dessert. Then, a box of chocolates, la bûche de Noël (Yule log, cake or ice cream), dried dates, caramelised chestnuts, and pastries.
Activities
Advent calendars! Midnight mass is also popular, so if you can stay up that late, spend some time reflecting on the past year and whatever your beliefs are.
Go Greek
Christmas is huge in Greece. Often, religious Greeks fast from certain foods for 40 days before Chritsmas, known as the Nativity Fast. In some cases, the family will fast completely on Christmas Eve and break their fast when they arrive home after the church service.
Food
Egg-lemon chicken soup with rice, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), Christopsomo drizzled with honey(Christ’s bread, baked with a cross on it), and pork.
Dessert
Baklava, melomakarona cookies, kourabiedes, diples (sweet dough).
Activities
No gifts are exchanged—that happens on January 1st. They also break a pomegranate by throwing it onto their doorstep at midnight on New Year’s Eve, although you can do this on Christmas if you wish—it symbolises happiness and health in the coming year!
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