| Christmas is celebrated around the world. While | | | | In England during the 21st century, Boxing Day is |
| every family or community has their own | | | | a day to visit family, a day to offer small tokens |
| traditions, there are certain regional traditions that | | | | to tradesmen, such as the milkman or postman. |
| are very specific and vary widely from region to | | | | Families often gather to play board games and |
| region. | | | | share a meal, enjoy a walk in the countryside or |
| In Italy, from Rome south the traditional | | | | indulge in a break with tradition and go shopping, |
| Christmas Eve dinner is that of seven fish. | | | | checking out the New Year sales early. |
| Throughout Italy, the Christmas Eve meals are | | | | In Mexico the celebration of Christmas begins on |
| traditionally meatless, given that the day is a day | | | | December 16th with the nine days of Las |
| of abstinences in the Catholic Church. Another | | | | Posadas. Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration, |
| wonderful Italian culinary Christmas tradition is that | | | | which includes candle lit processions and lively |
| of the Milanese Panattone. A sweet bread loaded | | | | parties. Another wonderful Christmas tradition is |
| with raisins, candied fruits and nuts. It is perfect | | | | the Shepard's plays. Professional groups and |
| for breakfast and makes incredible French toast. | | | | armatures put on these reenactments of the |
| Just north of Italy is Germany, where there is a | | | | Christmas stories alike. |
| rich tradition of the outdoor Christmas Markets. | | | | In Mexican houses, the principal Christmas |
| Despite the cold temperatures German families | | | | decoration is the Nativity Scene. It is often built |
| head outside to shop for classic Christmas | | | | by hand and assembled over the course of the |
| goodies and to enjoy regional specific Christmas | | | | season. |
| goodies. This tradition dates back to the 14th | | | | In Brazil, the tradition of Las Pasadas is also widely |
| Century. The markets open during the end of | | | | practices, only in the Brazilian version of the plays, |
| November and stay open until right before | | | | it is a shepherdess who is following the star and a |
| Christmas Eve, | | | | gypsy woman who has designs on stealing the |
| Another German tradition is that of Gluehwein and | | | | figure of the Christ child fro the nativity scene. |
| Stollen. Spiced Wine and the traditional German | | | | Brazil has a very multicultural history and many of |
| Christmas cake, loaded with raisins and nuts and | | | | their traditions vary widely by region, based upon |
| covered in a sugar glaze are a time honored | | | | immigration patterns. The same is to be said for |
| Christmas treat in German homes. | | | | Australia. It is also important to not that in both of |
| In Greece, Christmas is celebrated on December | | | | these multicultural countries that it is summer, so |
| 25, unlike the celebration of Easter, which follows | | | | many families celebrate Christmas by dining |
| the Orthodox calendar. While Christmas in Greece | | | | outdoors and enjoying the abundant sunshine and |
| is very important, it is a much more solemn | | | | warm temperatures. |
| holiday than in the West and therefore there are | | | | In India, even though Christians are a minority |
| less gaudy decorations and more focus on the | | | | group, Christmas is still celebrated and is a good |
| religious nature of the holiday. | | | | mix of British traditions from the colonial period |
| In England the tradition of Wassailing dates back | | | | and rich regional additions. In some areas banana |
| to the middle ages. Wassil, a heady mix of honey, | | | | trees and mango trees are decorated with lights. |
| ale and spices, is best shared among a group. | | | | Greetings are shared with neighbors and parties |
| Severed in a bowl or huge pewter or wooden | | | | are hosted. In urban areas, hotels and nightclub |
| mug, it would be passed around the group as a | | | | host office and families parties. Santa Klaus pays |
| greeting. Traditionally the bowl would be carried | | | | a visit to good boys and girls. |
| from house to house celebrate and share a | | | | In Japan, less than 1% of the population is |
| holiday greeting. | | | | Christian, but Christmas is celebrated nonetheless. |
| In England, Boxing Day is the day following | | | | For Christians the holiday is less about exchanging |
| Christmas. Traditionally and historically a day set | | | | gifts with family members and more about |
| aside for the poor, it is now a national holiday in | | | | sharing good cheer with the poor and especially |
| England. In the 18th century and forward, the | | | | those who are in the hospital. Many businesses |
| Lord and Lady of the manor would "box" up their | | | | and private homes decorate with evergreens and |
| leftovers and small gifts to provide to the | | | | bows. |
| servants of the manor house and tenants on | | | | No matter how the holiday is celebrated, |
| their land. Since many of the household servants | | | | Christmas is about love and compassion & |
| and other poorly paid workers would be required | | | | food and family. The greatest gifts of the season |
| to work on Christmas Day, Boxing Day was the | | | | are togetherness and love, no matter the |
| day they would go to visit their family. | | | | language or the food. |