Different Christmas traditions from around the world

Every year, That's Christmas likes to run a feature on different Christmas traditions from all over the world. This  year we are running this feature in conjunction with Language and culture experts at Busuu (https://www.busuu.com) have researched what unusual and traditional celebrations take place across the world at Christmas time.  

Christmas is soon upon us, and the experts at Busuu have revealed the different and often unique ways the festive season is celebrated around the world.  

Whilst Germans enjoy feasting on roasted meats and the Polish have fish as part of their ‘Wigilia’, the Japanese rush over to KFC for their Christmas dinner! 

Most countries decorate their homes and public spaces with large Christmas trees, festive ornaments and sparkly lights, but those in China use a plastic tree featuring flowers and chains made out of paper. 

A spokesperson for Busuu said: “Lots of countries around the world love to celebrate Christmas - whether that be on Saint Nicholas Day at the beginning of December, or on the 24th and 25th. It’s such a wonderful time to spend with family and friends, exchange gifts, decorate the house and eat lots of yummy food.  

“Everyone will have their own traditions passed down from family members, but countries also have different ways they like to spend Christmas day. For example in Japan, Christmas is only celebrated by families with children and couples tend to see it more as Valentine's Day.  

“However you spend the festive season, and whether you celebrate Christmas or not, there is no denying the warm, fuzzy feeling the period brings to us all, and the time we get to spend with our nearest and dearest.”  

Here’s how Christmas is celebrated around the world:  

1. France  

The 25th of December is a public holiday for the French, and decorations fill every space in households and public spaces over the festive period. Traditional Advent wreaths (‘Couronnes de l’Avent’) is a feature for many families, where one candle is lit each week throughout December. Christmas Day in France is spent opening presents, celebrating and spending time with loved ones, and feasting on a late lunch consisting of goose or capon, truffles and mashed potato.  

2. Germany  

In Germany, Christmas day (‘Weihnachten’) is celebrated on the 24th of December with homes lovingly decorated with trees, ornaments and lights ready for the big day. On the evening of the 5th, a day before Saint Nicholas day, children spend time polishing their shoes and leave them on the street, to later find them filled with chocolates and sweets as a reward for good behaviour. Christmas markets are a huge part of German festivities and traditions, with Dresden's ‘Striezelmarkt’ being considered the world's longest-running Christmas market. 

3. Japan  

Christmas isn't a public holiday in Japan, but is still considered a big celebration with festivities tending to start around November time. What’s interesting is Christmas tends to only be celebrated by families with children or couples. Kids will wake up to presents next to their bed and couples spend the day like Valentine’s Day, going on dates, having dinner and exchanging small gifts together.  

Christmas dinners in Japan look very different to most countries - the Japanese typically eat a meal from KFC. Some pre-order their chicken meals months in advance and long queues are expected on the 25th outside KFC restaurants. 

4. Poland  

The start of Christmas in Poland really takes place on the 24th when streets are lit up with festive lights. Traditional glass-blown ornaments adorn Christmas trees and carols aren’t first sung until ‘Pasterka’ - the celebratory Polish midnight mass. For many families, Christmas Eve is the first day of fasting and when the first star appears, ‘Wigilia’ is held, a vigil dinner often serving fish.  

 5. China 

In China, Christmas tends to be more of a commercial holiday with cities and department stores decorating with large Christmas trees, ornaments, and bright, colourful lights. Those who do choose to celebrate tend to spend the day as a get together with family and friends. For those who put up a tree in their homes, it will usually be a plastic one decorated with paper chains and paper flowers.   

6. The Netherlands  

The Dutch merrily celebrate Christmas on both the 25th and the 26th of December, spending lots of time with family and friends, watching films, playing games and feasting on delicious Christmas food like ‘Kerststol’ - a seasonal fruity bread loaf. 

The evening of December 5th is the most exciting Christmas day for children in the Netherlands as ‘Sinterklaas’ arrives with presents. Kids will leave a shoe by the fireplace, sing Dutch Christmas songs and wait until ‘pakjesavond’ (present evening) for their gifts to arrive.   

7. Italy 

The festive season officially begins on December 8th, the time of Immaculate Conception, when Christmas trees are put up and light displays decorate towns and villages. Italian tradition goes that Christmas Eve must be a meat-free day, with many choosing to cook pasta, rice and seafood. Christmas Day is therefore all about feasting on grand roasted meat meals and finishing off with a slice of traditional ‘Panettone’ Christmas cake.  

8. Caracas, Venezuela  

On Christmas Eve, residents of Venezuela’s capital city will be seen travelling to Christmas mass on roller skates! Supposedly an alternative to sledding, people all across Caracas will dust off their skates and travel through the city to gather together at an early-morning Christmas service. Skating is such a popular tradition that the streets are closed to cars to allow skaters to travel safely and enjoy this fun Christmas activity.  

For more festive facts on Christmas time around the world, visit Busuu https://blog.busuu.com/santa-claus-worldwide/

(Image courtesy of Scott Payne and Pixabay) 

Gorgeous, Decadent Christmassy Flavours From Flapjackery's Gluten Free Flapjacks

Flapjackery's gorgeously mouth-watering flapjacks evoke memories of this wonderful time of year with flavours like Mince Pie and Christmas Mint Fudge. 

And their Millionaires flapjack and Creamy Fudge flapjack both have a Christmas tree piped in white chocolate.

By adding the very best, most scrumptious, high quality locally sourced West Country ingredients to gluten-free British oats, Flapjackery have taken the traditional rustic flapjack to the next level and added a flavoursome Christmas twist to them.

A spokeswoman said: "These are a selection of our favourite Flapjackery gifts that can be delivered to your door and include the Christmas flavours, too, obviously!

"They are gluten free, with a shelf life of two months and they are suitable for home freezing, too. If you require special gift wrapping, please add £2.50, and shipping is £6.50."

To order visit www.flapjackery.co.uk.

That's Food and Drink: Colour Your Crêpes gorgeously With Fruity Bonne Maman

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Knock out the 'flu for Christmas, with Asda

Nobody wants the 'flu, especially at Christmas time and in an effort to help customers beat the 'flu bug this winter, Asda is continuing to raise awareness of its in-store flu jab service with the launch of a new and improved Asda Rewards cash incentive.

Customers with the Asda Rewards app will receive £2 in their cash pot when booking a flu jab online at https://asda.cxmflow.com/OABS/Appointment/Index/a887da68-2e3b-4dd9-8818-4ee738ee372e

Asda already offers the cheapest flu jab on the market at £9.98

The offer launches as the UK sees cases of flu climb quickly in recent weeks.

Asda Pharmacy also offers free flu jabs to anyone who qualifies via the NHS.

With cases of flu on the rise, suggesting the season began earlier than normal, Asda is encouraging customers who haven’t yet had their 'flu jab to book an appointment online to visit one of its 245 in-store Pharmacies.

For customers who have the Asda Rewards app, until 09 December, Asda will credit £2 into cash pots for those who book online, following the enormous success of its £1 Reward incentive which ran from 19 September to 23 October 2022.

Asda’s flu jab is already the most affordable available on the market at just £9.98, so Asda hopes the additional Rewards incentive will encourage as many customers who haven’t yet had their flu jab to do so, ensuring the country is as protected as possible this flu season.

Faisal Tuddy, Superintendent Pharmacist at Asda, said: “We’re proud to offer the cheapest flu jab on the market and at a time where we’re seeing cases of flu rise rapidly, we’re keen to encourage as many of our customers as possible to book themselves in and get protected. 

"We saw a massive uptake when we launched the £1 Asda Rewards incentive back in September, and as the weather gets colder and the winter months are upon us, we’re proud to say customers will now get £2 in their Asda Rewards cash pot when booking a flu jab with us, which can be spent on weekly essentials or put towards some festive treats.”

Speaking of the increase in cases of flu and the importance of getting the vaccine, Doctor Kathryn Basford from the Asda Online Doctor service, said: "For most people the flu is an unpleasant and inconvenient illness which can make you feel unwell and not be able to work or do your normal activities for up to a week. However, for some people it can be much more severe, and even be life threatening in some cases.

"If you don’t fall into a vulnerable group which is offered a free flu vaccine through the NHS, it’s still really important to get the vaccine to help protect those around you who you could pass on the infection to.”

To book an appointment, customers simply need to visit https://asda.cxmflow.com/OABS/Appointment/Index/a887da68-2e3b-4dd9-8818-4ee738ee372e, click the Book Now button on Asda.com/pharmacy OR scan the QR code on the flu jab information leaflets which can be found at Asda in-store Pharmacies. If a customer can't book online, they can ask a colleague to help them book in the pharmacy itself. No walk-ins are included as part of Asda Rewards the promotion.

The retailer is also offering free jabs to those who are eligible via the NHS, including those over the age of 50*, frontline or social care workers, pregnant individuals, or those with certain types of health conditions.

To claim the reward, customers must present their booking reference at the counter when they arrive for their appointment along with their Asda Rewards barcode, to be scanned by a Pharmacy colleague.

Appointments are available seven days a week, with a range of appointment times throughout the day.

Asda brings back its giant Candy Cane Sausage Roll for Christmas

An exciting twist on a classic favourite, the Candy Cane Sausage Roll is already proven to stand out at any festive get-together.

Asda’s latest festive re-launch is its giant sausage roll in the shape of a candy cane, which was a sure-fire winner last Christmas.

Made with specially seasoned pork in a delightful flaky puff pastry, the roll is hand-finished with crunchy linseed and beetroot to give it the classic candy cane striping effect.

For only £5.50, this genuine, show stopping centrepiece will be certain to bring some brilliant festive fun to the table this Christmas. And if you are looking for something with "wow!" factor for your festive feast this year, Asda cane help! 

What’s more? The sausage roll is giant, feeding up to 10 people (for £5.50, That’s sure to put a smile on even Ebeneezer Scrooge’s face!) and is sure to be the star of the show.

When the product debuted last year, it certainly earned its stripes on social media. One user commented “This looks amazing!!!!!😍😍” and another urged a friend to get one, tagging them and commenting “you have to visit an Asda store”. The overall verdict? “This looks 👏”

The Pork, Sage & Onion Candy Cane Sausage Roll launches on 22 November in stores and on www.asda.com.

Cook up a gluten free festive baking storm this Christmas with Creative Nature

You can Cook up a gluten free festive baking storm this Christmas with Creative Nature and their wide range of gluten free and plant-based baking goods and products.

They have nine different baking mixes, including a fantastic gluten free all purpose flour, which can be used for all kinds of baking including delicious cakes, pies, etc.

They also sell a delectable range of gnawable treats to share with the family (maybe to keep them busy while you are in the kitchen, baking?) some tasty snack bars, a range of absolutely stunning superfoods (including maca powder) and barley grass powder, etc.

To order what you need for Christmas and beyond visit them at https://www.creativenaturesuperfoods.co.uk

They are also stocked at some retailers, too. 

Everyone likes a pudding fix. Pri's Puddings offers a vegan pudding fix!

Yes, everyone loves puddings and sweet treats especially in the Christmas period and Pri's Puddings provides some excellent vegan alternatives to the mainstream pudding types.

For example, there's their Christmas 2022 Vegan and Gluten Free Advent Calendar, which consists of 24 Oaty Pies, all gluten free, vegan and refined sugar free, costing £29.99.

There are also Pop Squares - Raspberry Jam - 12 Pack, Pop Squares - Cinnamon - 12 Pack, Pop Squares - Hazel Nutter - 12 Pack, all at £19.99.

There are also a range of pocket sized pies including Pocket Sized Pies - Choco Pie x 12 Packs, 

Pocket Sized Pies - Peanut Butter Pie x 12 Packs, Pocket Sized Pies - Pecan Pie x 12 Packs, Pocket Sized Pies - Cashew Pie x 12 Packs all at £11.50. 

There are also combo packs too.

To find out more and place your orders please visit them at https://www.prispuddings.co.uk.

Christmas cards from Coeliac UK

The Coeliac UK charity is the gluten free charity in the UK and to help raise funds and promote the charity to the general public it is selling a wide range of specially designed Christmas cards, gift bags, gift wraps, gift wallets and gift labels.

There is a wide range of designs including Christmas trees, a Village Christmas, Peace on Earth, the 12 Days of Christmas, Going to Midnight Mass, a Moonlit Robin, Cosy Christmas Corgis, the arrival of the three Kings and more besides.

You can purchase them here https://www.charitycardshop.com/coeliacuk/category/1

How to make Christmas gifting more ethical? ethy's Kaisa Kangro has some useful tips

With Christmas getting ever nearer and gift-buying set to go into overdrive this Black Friday, sustainable accreditation organisation and consumer shopping guide app ethy is encouraging us gift buyers to be mindful of the environment and also our wallets and purses when we are shopping for gifts this year. 

With the average Brit spending £381.60 on Christmas gifts alone annually, combining that with the masses and masses of plastic and resources needed to produce them, ethy Co-Founder Kaisa Kangro has given her top five tips on how to give ethically this festive season.

Kaisa says: “At Christmas we're inundated with shower gift sets and novelty stocking fillers. Over-consumption has become the norm and the masses of extra packaging is having a damaging effect on our planet. But don’t let environmental concerns dampen the big day, ‘tis the season of giving after all! Instead, let's take some time to plan out our present buying to opt for more sustainable choices and ethical ways of shopping.”

Kaisa’s top tips are:

Ask them what they want

“Surprising your friends and family on Christmas Day can be part of the festive fun, but by asking our loved ones what it is they actually need or want, we can save money spent on unwanted gifts and get them something they'll really enjoy and cherish for years to come. This makes them less likely to throw their unwanted gifts away in the future, and you can still personalise it with your choice of colour or style for that special added touch.”

Keep the receipt

“In case your gift-giving is way off the mark, keep hold of the receipt. You can either tuck it into the package, or if you don’t want them to know how much it cost, be sure to let them know they can exchange it.” (Also good if it needs to be replaced if faulty, for example.)

Give the gift of a shared experience

“Why not do something different this Christmas and instead of gifting a physical item, make a memory! Consider vouchers (you can even handmake them) for a fun activity, it could be tickets to a show, a trip to the zoo, a fancy dinner somewhere, or even an IOU. Memories last a lifetime, much longer than those novelty socks will.”

Don’t do presents at all

“This one probably won’t work for the little ones in your life but consider opting out of gift giving altogether with your adult friends and family. Instead of fretting about what to get your picky sister-in-law, or buying your cousin yet another set of bath bombs, agree to go gift-free this year. You might even choose to give the money you would have otherwise spent to a good cause (or splurge it on yourself – no judgement here!).”

Choose sustainable gifts

“If gift-giving is firmly on your agenda, make sure the items you buy are ethically produced. ethy is home to hundreds of independent makers and sustainable brands that put the planet at the heart of everything they do, and what’s more, ethically-produced gifts are often of better quality and way more unique than anything you’ll find in the usual high street stores.”

Bonus tip - Support social causes

“Christmas is a time for kindness and thinking about our community. A great way to take action and support your community is by choosing to buy from organisations that help our communities thrive.

“Our sustainability standards for Thriving Communities include organisations that are bettering communities. Actions can range from championing equality and promoting the wellbeing of their people, to engaging with the community to deliver wider social or environmental value. Some of our verified brands include HandMade Stories and House of Margaux.”

You can see ethy’s guide to ethical brands to shop with this Christmas here https://ethy.co.uk/shop-sustainably/guide/five-ways-to-give-ethically-this-christmas.

It's what Santa would eat! Reindeer kebabs are coming in to land!

The I am Doner kebab brand is soon to introduce a Reindeer Doner Kebab, served up in a flat bread with a delicious and tangy lingonberry mayonnaise.

Inspired by a trip to Finnish Lapland, better kebab brand, I am Doner, is bringing back reindeer kebab for Christmas again this year. 

The recipe was developed in conjunction with a reindeer farmer whose family had been farming reindeer meat for in excess of three centuries, plus a locally acclaimed chef from the same region. 

Reindeer meat is a good type of meat as it is low in fat and is considered one of the leaner meats, it contains over double the values of some nutrients than other meats and is high in B-12, omega-3, omega-6 and essentials fatty acids. It’s naturally farmed and is a traditional delicacy in Nordic countries. 

Baron said “After the success of our camel meat kebab back in May which sold out in mere days it seemed crazy not to bring back the reindeer! Reindeer meat is a wonderful game meat that's packed full of protein and vitamins, so making it a great mix with our doner meat for the Christmas special.”

The Christmas special ‘Doner & Blitzen’ Kebab will be available in Yorkshire stores throughout December. A vegan alternative will also be available.

https://www.iamdoner.co.uk