Christmas traditions differ from country to country, but the plot remains the same. Let's travel 'round the globe and celebrate Christmas internationally!
In Japan, Christmas is not a national holiday. The Japanese adopted the character of Santa Claus in their celebrations, but the Santa image does not carry the same social importance as in the United States. Their Christmas is not as important to them as New Year's Day, and it is not an official holiday. Instead, a Japanese Christmas is a time for lovers to exchange gifts, have a special date, and stroll under Christmas lights, which are erected by companies and governments to enhance the romantic feel of the day. Families and friends may also exchange small gifts or money. A unique feature of Japanese Christmas giving is the Christmas cake, a white-frosting cake, often with strawberries, that symbolizes a birthday cake for the baby Jesus.
In the Republic of China (Taiwan), Christmas is not officially celebrated; however, December 25 is coincidentally the Constitution signing date for the Republic of China in 1947, which is officially called Constitution Day. Hence, there was already an official holiday on that date, which is largely and unofficially treated as if it were Christmas.
Mexico's Christmas traditions center around posadas. Over a nine day period, groups of townspeople go from door to door, in a fashion reminiscent of visitors to the baby Jesus, and are periodically called inside homes to participate in the breaking of a gift-filled pinata.
In the United States and Canada, the Santa Claus traditions are essentially the same, except in Quebec, where the French offshoot of Santa Claus, Pere Noel, may appear. In some cities, including San Francisco and Sacramento, the public attends a Charles Dickens' Christmas Faire, which represents the Victorian-Dickensian Christmas period.
Religious themes predominate in Christmas celebrations in heavily-Catholic South America. The secular customs and gift-giving in these countries are an admixture of traditions handed down from European and Native American ancestors, accompanied with the increasing influence of American culture. South American "Santas" dress lighter due to the warmer Christmases there, and they have adopted different means, from ladders to trampolines, to entering homes at night.
Central European countries (including Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia), the main public feast occurs Christmas Eve (December 24th). Prior to Christmas dinner, the day is usually a fasting day, and in some places children are told they'll see a golden pig if they successfully fast until big feast.
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