Around the world, Christmas is a much-loved festival, and with good reason. It is celebrated across continents, castes, ethnicity or faiths. It is a festival that celebrates love for family, warmth, cheer and happiness. After all, who doesn’t like to listen to carols, enjoy delicacies, and exchange gifts? The festival is associated with charity, spreading joy and spending time with family and friends. There’s nothing quite like the warm feeling of magic you get at Christmas. It’s that one perfect time of the year dedicated to relaxing, spending time with loved ones and creating memories that last a lifetime. When you think about it, a house never feels more welcoming than it does at Christmas. A festive home just invites you to unwind in comfort with friends and family at the heart of it all.
Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world and on a large scale and most people await the whole year to have a massive celebration each time. While the traditions are pretty similar in most places, everywhere they differ slightly keeping in mind the local rituals of the community. Australia which is the smallest continent, celebrates Christmas in the summer as December is the summer season in this island nation. So while others in the world are wrapping themselves in winter clothes, Australians wear their finest summer clothes for Christmas celebrations. England Christmas celebrations are slightly different from other places and are more about decorating the house and the Christmas tree, stocking up on gifts, baking cookies and then having a lavish feast with the family. Because the weather is chilly and gloomy during this time, people spread Christmas cheer by singing carols and going from house to house.
France too celebrates Christmas with a slight variation that starts by children leaving their shoes by the hearth on December 5 so that Father Christmas or Pere Noel can fill them up with gifts. This is called St Nicolas Eve. On Christmas Eve, children go around singing carols in French that are called noels. The most important part of Christmas celebrations in France is the crèche that is decorated to create a scene of nativity. New York City is one of the best places to witness Christmas celebrations as the whole city lights up in a cheery vibe. NYC is covered in snow where you can experience a white Christmas with a tall Christmas tree near the Rockefeller Ice Skating Rink. The stores are lined with gifts and offers attracting people with fancy window displays. Last but not the least, Christmas celebrations in India are also on a large scale. Even though the Christian population in India is in minority, the festive spirit is all over and even non-Christians take part in the festivities if not exactly in the traditional way. While not everyone would go to church for a midnight mass, they usually exchange gifts and enjoy a feast in a restaurant or by making some at home. Of course, the traditions vary slightly and people have regional delicacies as well in the feast including locally made wine.
But wherever you are in the world, Christmas is a time of homecoming when we get to reunite with people who fly across the world just to celebrate the season with us. But one of the greatest parts of Christmas is the chance to relax with the people we love and rejuvenate after the stresses of every-day life. It’s a rare time where everyone can enjoy simple things together like watching your favorite Christmas movies with your family and even family games. Because while the hustle and bustle of relations coming together is a treat, the real joy is found in quieter family moments. Every parent knows there’s nothing quite like tucking little ones into bed under toasty quilts on Christmas Eve as they vow to stay awake to see Santa Claus.