Tumgik
#Christmas Tradititons
jayceparkblog · 2 years
Text
Christmas traditions of countries around the world
LifeWay Research found 29 percent of Americans believe it is offensive to use “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” All over the world, Christmas celebrations reflect local culture and traditions. The festivities can be startlingly different from country to country, focusing on different aspects of the nativity story. But whether you're celebrating Sheng Dan Jieh in China or awning Pere Noel in France, you're sharing in the wonder and magic of the Christmas season. In the following pages, we'll take a look at Christmas traditions in countries around the world, from Sweden to Australia, from England to China. Christmas is generally celebrated on Christmas Day, the 25th of December. Some countries however have slightly different Christmas traditions and as such festive season celebrations take place over a longer period of time, from the beginning of December to the beginning of January. At Christmas, Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Traditional Christmas decorations often can be admired and festive celebrations can be joined in most countries, even in many of the countries where Christianity is not the religion of the majority of people. Christmas trees are a popular decoration as are tiny sparkling lights in windows and on walls. 
This post contains links. Thank you so much for your support and for helping keep this blog running!
Christmas in the United States of America
In the United States, Christmas is observed on the 25th of December.Here the festive season traditionally begins on the fourth Thursday in November, just after the Thanksgiving holiday. On Thanksgiving Day, a spectacular parade is taken out in New York City that has the smiling figure of Santa Claus participating in it. It indicates the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Department stores, shopping malls and small shops ready themselves appropriately for the season to attract shoppers and get them to spend quite a few bucks on Christmas trees, gifts, apparels, greeting cards and suchlike.
Facts about Christmas in America 
 1. Virtually everyone celebrates Christmas.
Around 9 in 10 Americans will celebrate Christmas this year, far outpacing other seasonal holidays, according to PRRI. But the celebrations aren’t limited to Christians.
 Pew Research found 81 percent of non-Christians in America celebrate Christmas, including 87 percent of the religiously unaffiliated.
2. Most believe it should be a religious holiday.
 Almost 8 in 10 Americans say Christmas should be more about Jesus, according to LifeWay Research. They also found 70 percent believe “Christmas would be a better experience if it had a more Christian focus.”
  According to PRRI, 72 percent say they personally celebrate Christmas as at least a somewhat religious holiday, with 43 percent saying it’s strongly religious. 3. We’re split over “Happy Holidays” vs. “Merry Christmas.”
  When asked by PRRI if stores should greet customers with “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings” instead of “Merry Christmas” out of respect for people of different faiths, 47 percent of Americans agree and 46 percent disagrees.
LifeWay Research found 29 percent of Americans believe it is offensive to use “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.”
4. Most are OK with public religious displays.
Frequently, the Christmas season features legal challenges to explicitly Christian displays on government property or performances at schools. LifeWay Research found 86 percent believe children in public schools should be allowed to sing religious Christmas songs in school-sponsored musicals.
They are a little more split over physical holiday displays on government property, according to Pew. A plurality (44 percent) are fine with nativity scenes or other Christian symbols on government property whether they are accompanied by symbols of other faiths or not. Almost 3 in 10 (28 percent) say the symbols should be allowed, but only with symbols of other faiths. Only 20 percent say religious symbols should not be allowed at all.
5. Churches will be open.
Despite Christmas falling on a Sunday this year, almost 9 in 10 pastors (89 percent) say their churches will have worship services on Christmas Day, according to LifeWay Research. More than 7 in 10 (71 percent) will have a Christmas Eve service and 63 percent will have services on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
6. And most people want to go during Christmastime.
It’s a good thing churches will be open because most people want to go to church during Christmas. According to LifeWay Research, more than 6 in 10 Americans (63 percent) say the holiday season should include a trip to church.
LifeWay Research also found 61 percent say they typically attend church during Christmastime. And of those who don’t attend, 57 percent said it is likely they would attend if someone invited them.
7. Americans believe the Christmas story is true.
People may be inclined to attend because they accept the biblical nativity story as historical fact.
What Do People Do?
The United States of America has many different traditions and ways that people in celebrate Christmas, because of its multi-cultural nature.
One Gift on Christmas Eve
Opening one gift on Christmas Eve represents every kid’s favorite Christmas tradition. The excitement and anticipation has built up to a crescendo and most parents simply can’t take it anymore. Surely, tearing the wrapping paper off a single present will help release some of the suspense. And, in some households, the night before Christmas in America means the kids get to open two gifts each…because pajamas don’t count!
Leaving Cookies Out for Santa
For those kids who still believe in Santa, leaving out a few cookies and a tall, cold glass of milk for the big man is one of the top ten american Christmas traditions. On the one hand, it’s a thoughtful gesture. On the other, it’s a bribe. If Santa particularly likes your cookies, then maybe you’ll find an extra toy in your stocking. And, waking up to find an empty glass of milk and a partially eaten cookie really sells it to the kids.
Hanging Stockings
Christmas in America brings out the creativity of parents across the country. And, nowhere is this more apparent than the custom-made stockings. While some children hang the basic red and white stockings, other kids, such as myself, get to hang highly decorated keepsakes made with love. Furthermore, the super-lucky little ones also use collectible stocking hangers in the shape of their favorite cartoon or fairytale characters. Fun!
Picking out a Christmas Tree
For many households across the country, picking out a tree marks the beginning of Christmas in America. After the tree gets dragged through the house, shedding needles all over the floor and furniture, it’s time to decorate the house before hanging up tree ornaments. But, picking out Christmas tree can prove stressful. It is the right size and shape? And, does it have any holes or bare spots? There’s an art to the selection process.
Topping the Christmas Tree
Then, once the Christmas lights, wall decorations, and tree ornaments have been hung, it’s time to top the tree if you’re celebrating Christmas in America. Usually, Americans place a Star of Bethlehem or an angel on top of their trees. These items usually hold a special place in their owners’ hearts because they are often kept for decades. And, the topping of the tree puts a punctuation mark on the decorating process. It means the house now stands ready to receive St. Nick and his bag of goodies.
Secret Santa
Most people understand the Secret Santa Christmas tradition. But, for those who don’t, a group of Christmas revelers get together and agree that each individual will buy one gift for a randomly selected person. That way, no one has to buy a gift for every person in the group. So, you draw names and buy a gift for that person. And, when the receiver of the gift opens the present, he or she has to guess who served as his or her Secret Santa. It’s perfect for a office full of coworkers.
Making your own ornaments
Christmas ornaments made by your children represent a keepsake that you can enjoy for years to come. I remember making ornaments out of paper, food items covered in a sealant, and even trash. It’s not about how it looks or the quality of the craftsmanship. It’s truly the thought that counts when your kid brings home a custom-made ornament as a gift. More recently, making homemade ornaments has evolved into a creative passion for many. So, go out there and express your love of Christmas through crafts.
Christmas in France
In France, a Nativity crib is often used to help decorate the house. French cribs have clay figures in them. During December some towns and cities, such as Marseilles, have fairs that sell Nativity figures. As well as having the normal Nativity figures in them, French scenes also have figures such as a Butcher, a Baker, a Policeman and a Priest.
In French Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Joyeux Noël'. In Breton (spoken by some people in Brittany, Northern France) it's 'Nedeleg Laouen', in Corsican it's 'Bon Natale' and in Alsatian (spoken by some people in Alsace, in Eastern France) it's 'E güeti Wïnâchte'. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages. One of the biggest Christmas markets in Europe is held in Strasbourg, in North Eastern FranceIn the Alsatian language it's called the "Christkindelsmarik".
Facts About Christmas In France
French Christmas Facts 1: Celebration
When we talk about the Christmas in France, it is about the midnight mass, gifts for the poor people, candy, gifts for the children, family union, le rebellion and festive celebration.
French Christmas Facts 2: varied celebrations
The types for Christmas celebration in France depend on the regions in France. There are many provinces in France celebrated Christmas day on 25th December. Some people call it as a bank holiday. French Christmas Facts 3: The Christmas Celebration In Eastern And Northern France
The people living in eastern and northern France have different habit when celebrating Christmas. They have the celebration on 6th December. The most vital holidays in Christmas season celebrated by the French people include la fête des Rois and la fête de Saint Nicolas. French Christmas Facts 4: la Fête de lumières
La Fête de lumières is another celebration by the people living in Lyon. This occasion is celebrated in la Fête de lumières. This holiday is marked by putting the candles in the window to make the city lightened. It was used to celebrate the Virgin Mary. 
French Christmas Facts 5: La Fête Des Rois
La fête des Rois usually is celebrated on 6th of January in some parts of France. However, it sometimes is celebrated on 1st January in the first Sunday.
French Christmas Facts 6: French children
French children hope to get the gift from Pre Noel or Papa Noel so they will put the shoes in front of the fireplace. Sometimes the shoes are hung on the tree. They will be filled with small toys, nuts, fruit and candy.
French Christmas Facts 7: Bad Children
In some regions of France, it is believed that the bad children will get spanking room Père Fouettard. This belief is equivalent with Santa Claus giving coal to the bad children.
French Christmas Facts 8: Le pain calendar
Le pain calendal was a Christmas loaf made by the people in southern France. It will be given to the poor people.
French Christmas Facts 9: La Bûche De Noël
La bûche de Noël is a favorite desert during the Christmas season. It is made with chocolate and chestnuts. This log shaped cake is for a pagan gaul celebration.
French Christmas Facts 10: The sapin de Noël
The main Christmas decoration that you can see in France is the sapin de Noël. You can see this décor on the factories, shops, streets, home and shops. This decoration has been used in France in 1837.
What Do People Do?
1. Advent
The four weeks before Christmas are dedicated to preparations for Christmas. On 1 December children open their first ‘window/door’ in the Advent calendar. This French Christmas tradition makes kids even more excited about upcoming Christmas events.
2. Christmas Eve
The evening of December 24th is when French families sit down together to celebrate Christmas and enjoy festive French foods and wines. If you’ve heard about French people eating long and slowly, this dinner is the greatest example of this French custom. The meal can go for up to six hours. 
3. Le Réveillon
This is the name of the French Christmas Eve meal, which is a big and long feast. The name comes from the verb réveiller, to wake up or revive. Increasingly more families start this French Christmas tradition on Christmas Day, when it is easier for the whole family to gather together.
4. Midnight Mass
A church service is held on Christmas Eve. It is actually an important Christmas tradition in France for many people who try to attend the mass, although more and more people prefer services on Christmas Day.
5. Traditional French Christmas food
Food is a big part of French Christmas traditions. It depends on the region but some common French Christmas foods include:
● smoked salmon and oysters with bran bread and (real) butter
● foiegras (goose or duck liverpate) 
● goose
● capon or turkey stuffed with chestnuts
● Servings of vegetables such as green beans cooked with garlic and butter and provincial herbs sautéed potatoes.
To finish the feast you will get the amazing looking and tasting La bûche de Noël (yule log), a sponge cake decorated like a yule log, traditionally made of chocolate and chestnuts.
6. Les Treize (13) desserts
This is a Provençal French Christmas tradition but worth mentioning as it sounds so ‘challenging’ – can you imagine having 13 desserts after the main (big) Christmas feast? In France they are important as they symbolise Christ and the 12 apostles at the Last Supper. 
Typical desserts include fruits, nuts and sweets such as dried figs, hazelnuts or walnuts, almonds and dried grapes or a cake called Pompe à l’huile. As part of this Christmas tradition in France, everyone has to taste each dessert in order to have good luck for the upcoming year.
7. French alcohol at Christmas
Mulled wine is popular in bars and in French Christmas markets, although you won’t see it so much at French houses. During Christmas dinner a very good wine is required and Champagne is imperative.
8. Table decoration
It is very important for French people to have their Christmas dining table looking extremely elegant and inviting. It’s common to put three candlesticks on the table, which represent the Trinity. An interesting French Christmas tradition is that the French knot the ends of the tablecloth so the Devil can’t get under the table.
Christmas in Italy
One of the most important ways of celebrating Christmas in Italy is the Nativity crib scene. Using a Nativity scene to help tell the Christmas story was made very popular by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 (Assisi is in mid-Italy). The previous year he had visited Bethlehem and saw where it was thought that Jesus was born. A lot of Italian families have a Nativity scene in their homes. The city of Naples in Italy is world famous for its Nativity scenes. These are known as 'Presepe Napoletano' (meaning Neapolitan Nativity/cribs scenes). The first Nativity scene in Naples is thought to go back to 1025 and was in the Church of S. Maria del presepe (Saint Mary of the Nativity), this was even before St. Francis of Assisi had made Nativity scenes very popular! Having Nativity scenes in your own home became popular in the 16th century and it's still popular today (before that only churches and monasteries had scenes). Nativity scenes are traditionally put out on the 8th December. But the figure of the baby Jesus isn't put into the crib/manger until the evening/night of December 24th!
Facts about Christmas in Italy
1. Festivities don’t end on December 25
In Italy the holiday spirit begins on December 8th, day of the Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione), when many Italians traditionally decorate their Christmas trees and put up the Nativity scenes. It ends on January 6th, the Epiphany, so usually companies and always schools close for two weeks from December 24th (Christmas Eve) till the Epifania as we call it in Italian.
2. Gifts – When will you open yours?
Depending on the region gifts could be opened on Saint Lucy’s Day (December 13th) in many northern hamlets where Santa Lucia brings gifts to children or on December 25th and then again on the Epiphany on January 6th. That’s the day when the Befana arrives. She is a broomriding old lady that fills the stockings of the good children all over Italy with sweets and leaves a lump of coal for the naughty ones.
3. Nativity scenes
The presepe or Nativity scene is one of the most important decorations at Christmas. They are carefully arranged in churches as well as other public areas and family homes. Traditionally the figurine of baby Jesus is not added until Christmas Day.
4. Bagpipes and tombola season
They play in streets and squares, normally dressed in traditional sheepskin and wool cloaks and symbolise the arrival of the shepherds to greet the baby Jesus.
 Another tradition spreading across the country is playing tombola. A game similar to bingo that gathers everyone from kids to elders. It is very common to play cards too.
5. Panettone or pandoro?
You may have heard the two traditional Italian Christmas cakes, Panettone and Pandoro. The first is a sweet bread filled with raisins and candied fruit while the other is a tall, star-shaped cake sprinkled with icing sugar. Which one do you prefer?
6. Christmas bonus 
December is the month when many workers are eagerly awaiting for their tredicesima (13th month pay), an extra month’s salary that arrives just in time for gift shopping.
7. On Christmas Eve don’t eat meat
The traditional Christmas Eve dinner is meatless. A wealth of fish dishes can be prepared with some regional specialties depending on the area.
 After dinner, many Catholic people attend the Midnight Mass.
What Do People Do?
1. Extended Celebrations
One of the best Italian Christmas traditions is that they celebrate for much longer than other countries. Their festive season officially starts on December 8 - celebrated with the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. It lasts right the way through until January 6, the 12th day of Christmas, known as the Epiphany.
2. No meat on Christmas Eve
In what is a very traditional tradition, the Italians don’t eat meat on Christmas Eve, or la Vigilia. Instead they eat a variety of fish dishes - sometimes up to seven courses of seafood! This is typical on the day and night before any religious celebration; you are supposed to ‘eat lean’ and purify your body ahead of the holidays! Popular fish dishes vary across the country. In Rome, they enjoy the local dish of pezzetti: artichoke, zucchini and broccoli fried together - whereas in Naples, seafood and broccoli are sautéed.
3. Visiting the Vatican for midnight mass
A popular Christmas tradition for those who live or are staying in Rome is visiting the Vatican for midnight mass with the Pope on Christmas Eve. This actually happens at 9.30pm, rather than midnight, and is free to attend. It is also televised in St. Peter’s Square for those who don’t manage to get into the basilica to see the Pope - and participate in the mass - up close.
4. Skiing into Christmas
While some Italians are attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve, others are whizzing down the slopes on Christmas Day. In northern Italy people ski down the mountains at midnight, carrying torches as a festive celebration!
5. Gifts from the good witch
It is not only Santa who brings Christmas gifts. Right across Italy, on January 6 - marking the end of the holiday season - there is a visit from la Befana. This translates literally as ‘the good witch’, and legend says that on this date she would fill stockings with candy for the children on the good list, and coal for the naughty children.
6. Sweet treats
At Christmas, the Italians are especially big on sweet food. Of course, it varies across the country from the city to city - but they definitely have a collective sweet tooth over the holidays! Panettone and pandoro, both examples of sweet bread, are popular across the country and enjoyed by all. But in Siena you’ll find cavallucci on offer: cookies decorated with the image of a house - and on a tour of Rome city you’re bound to spot someone eating spiced nut pastries known as mostaccioli.
Christmas in the South Africa
Because South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas comes in the summer. So there's lots of sun and beautiful flowers in full bloom.
The schools are closed for the Christmas holidays and some people like to go camping. Going carol singing, on Christmas Eve, is very popular in towns and cities. Carols by Candlelight services are also popular on Christmas Eve. And many people go to a Christmas morning Church Service. 
Traditional 'fir' Christmas Trees are popular and children leave a stocking out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
The Christmas meal is either turkey, duck, roast beef, mince pies or suckling pig with yellow rice & raisins and vegetables, followed by Christmas Pudding or a traditional South African desert called Malva Pudding (sometimes also called Lekker Pudding) - get the recipe. People also like to pull Christmas Crackers! The meal is often eaten outside in the summer sun! If it's really hot they might even have a barbecue or 'braai'.
Facts About Christmas in Cape Town
The even better news is that Christmas in Cape Town is packed full of things to see, do and discover. Some of the ways that we celebrate down here in South Africa’s Mother City include the following traditions.
1/ Christmas Day lunches are huge.
While this is not really any different to anywhere else in the world, South Africans in general love a good Christmas lunch. Many restaurants offer buffet-style lunches and Christmas parties – many of which require booking ahead. While some families may celebrate on Christmas Eve, most prefer to make full use of the sunshine to enjoy a lazy lunch after the kids have woken up and opened their presents and everyone has been to church.
2/ Many locals flock to the beach.
After enjoying a big lunch, many locals flock to the beach to enjoy some beach ball, swimming, frisbee and general fun in the sun. Be warned – some beaches can be crowded. For many families, however, this time of year is the only time that many will have the chance to go to the sea.
3/ Christmas falls in the middle of summer holidays.
For many families, Christmas gives the chance to enjoy a much-needed break. Many people from other parts of South Africa come to the city in search of beaches and sunshine. School holidays are in full swing, many adults have taken annual leave and the atmosphere is always festive, wherever you go. This makes the Christmas season a fun time to visit, as people are at their most relaxed during this time.
4/ Instead of Santa, we have Father Christmas.
Father Christmas is basically Santa Clause. We like to think he is a little bit special, though. Whatever you call him, you can often see this bearded red-suited guy around the city. Luckily, there is no chance of fireplaces being in use during a hot Cape Town summer, which means that you won’t have to worry about hot coals ruining Father Christmas’ entrance. Be sure to leave stockings out for the kids if you are travelling as a family. It is also worth noting that milk and cookies (or biscuits, as they are known here) are always welcome as far as Father Christmas is concerned.
5/ Christmas is a good time to braai.
If they are not on the beach or at a local restaurant, you can certainly find locals at the braai. South Africans never need much excuse to get braaing. What better reason than Christmas Day? If you’ve been invited to a braai, make sure that you bring your own booze. Beer is always good, or a fine local wine. There will most likely be more food than anyone can finish, so leftovers are common. Don’t worry if you are not a meat-eater, either. There are always plenty of salads and sides on offer.
Ways to celebrate an South African Christmas
1 .Visit the Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park, in northeastern South Africa, is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. Its high density of wild animals includes the Big 5: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos. Hundreds of other mammals make their home here, as do diverse bird species such as vultures, eagles and storks. Mountains, bush plains and tropical forests are all part of the landscape.
2. Take part in Carols by Candle light in the big cities such as Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg
Join in the merrymaking when the annual Cape Town Carols by Candlelight concert sounds off at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens this festive season in Cape Town. The Christmas-themed sing-along takes place from Thursday, 15 to Sunday, 18 December 2016.
3. Have a barbecue with Family or A (braai) as it is called in South Africa
The word braai (pronounced “bry”, rhyming with the word “cry”; plural braais) is Afrikaans for “barbecue” or “roast” and is a social custom in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. It originated with the Afrikaner people, but has since been adopted by South Africans of many ethnic backgrounds. The word vleis is Afrikaans for “meat”.
4 . Decorate your Christmas Tree and home with Friends and family, And leave out a Christmas Stocking to collect Gifts From , Father Christmas
Interesting Fact about Christmas trees: The History of Christmas Trees. The evergreen fir tree has traditionally been used to celebrate winter festivals (pagan and Christian) for thousands of years. Pagans used branches of it to decorate their homes during the winter solstice, as it made them think of the spring to come.
5. Leave a glass of milk With Cookies For Father Christmas
The tradition of leaving cookies for Santa is believed to have started at the time of the Great Depression by parents wanting to inspire their children to share with others, especially during a time of great need.
Christmas in Japan
In Japan, Christmas in known as more of a time to spread happiness rather than a religious celebration. Christmas Eve is often celebrated more than Christmas Day. Christmas Eve is thought of as a romantic day, in which couples spend together and exchange presents. In many ways it resembles Valentine's Day celebrations in the UK and the USA. Young couples like to go for walks to look at the Christmas lights and have a romantic meal in a restaurant - booking a table on Christmas Eve can be very difficult as it's so popular!
Facts about Christmas In Japan
1. It’s the most romantic day of the year
While the traditional western Christmas revolves around family, in Japan it’s more about cozying up with your significant other. Restaurants are booked to capacity and shopping malls are draped in beautiful festive lights as couples wine, dine and take romantic strolls before ending up at a nice hotel for the night. For single people, it also the best season to find a partner – you’re more likely to get a date (or dates) in the weeks leading up to Christmas, when everyone is trying to find The One just in time for the big day.
2. Lights, lights everywhere
Christmas lights, or “Illumination” as it’s called here, is a huge attraction during the festive season. Theme parks, shops and malls are lavished with pretty lights and themed decorations. The streets of posh areas like Omotesando, Ginza and Roppongi are absolutely stunning during this time of year too, and it’s a great opportunity to take a walk and soak up the atmosphere.
3. What turkey? It’s all about the Kentucky (Fried Chicken)
If you’re not out on a date on Christmas Eve, you’re probably at home with your family feasting on buckets of the Colonel’s finger lickin’ chicken. It’s so popular that people put in their reservations months in advance to avoid the (very) long lines.
4. Let them eat cake (but save some for yourself too)
The Christmas tradition is to chase those delicious chunks of chicken with scrumptious servings of strawberry shortcake. But if strawberries aren’t your thing, any cake will do, so long as it’s cake. A major butter shortage this year has severely affected cake supplies though, which means boyfriends everywhere are under huge pressure to get their hands on one, or risk the wrath of their girlfriends. Because while you can skip the KFC, you can’t skip the cake.
5. Ripping open your presents is bad form
Half the fun of Christmas morning is running down to the Christmas tree and tearing open your presents, right? Well, in Japan, that’s a no-no. Presents here are opened neat and slow, taking care to keep the wrapping paper intact. It’s about respecting the giver and the gift – quite a contrast to western culture where you’re expected to open it in front of the giver with gusto. On the upside, the gifts are often so intricately and beautifully wrapped that it’s hard to shred them without feeling a bit of guilt, so that helps.
How To Celebrate Christmas In Japan
Eat Strawberry Shortcake
A Japanese strawberry shortcake is light and spongy with whipped cream filling and frosting, which is much less sweet than other cake toppers. This treat is sold as ‘Christmas Cake’ in Japan (although it’s also very popular for birthdays) and is a great way to celebrate the season with family and friends.
Visit A Christmas Market
From Hokkaido to Kyushu, Japan hosts European-style Christmas markets throughout the winter season. Find everything from delicate tree ornaments to hot cider.
Go Shopping
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a little holiday shopping, and Japanese malls are no stranger to Christmas décor. During this time of year, traditional trees, ornaments, and goods for sale aimed at the holiday shopper can be found at most major malls and department stores, especially in the big cities.
Exchange Gifts
It has become commonplace for couples to exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, but rarely anyone else. Since Christmas is not a Japanese tradition, it’s also not traditional to exchange gifts for the occasion. This may be because Japan already has a December gift exchange of its own, the Japanese work-culture tradition of oseibo, when coworkers exchange gifts. Presents are more commonly exchanged for the New Year, which is a much bigger deal in Japan.
Merry Christmas Wishes
Christmas Messages For Friends
● For your Christmas time I wish you many blessings, much happiness, and even more love.
● Having you as my friend makes me feel as if it is Christmas every day. Merry Christmas.
● Christmas is a feeling true friends share with laughter and love to show that they care.
● I hope you’re all making this a Christmas to remember! 
● So grateful to have a friend like you at Christmas and all year long.
● Your friendship and your love is the best Christmas gift that I’ve gotten. Merry Christmas. 
● It’s friends like you that make this season so special and magical.
● Wishing you peace, joy, and all the best this wonderful holiday has to offer. May this incredible time of giving and spending time with family bring you the joy that lasts throughout the year. 
Christmas Messages For Family
● There is no greater gift this festive season than spending time with family all around the Christmas tree.
● You’re all so important to us. Stay safe and stay happy this holiday season!
● To all the people who are dear to me, I wish all of you nothing but the joy and happiness that this Christmas brings!
● Having a family like you is the best Christmas gift there ever could be. 
● At Christmas and always, what a blessing you are. 
● Thinking of you with lots of love at Christmas. 
● Grateful to be blessed with such a wonderful family. Merry Christmas! 
● Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.
Search and read more great literature on festival themes at: https://cupdf.com/search?q=festival
1 note · View note
Quote
I breathe in my fear and exhale anticipation. ------------------------------ I've been counting down the days, waiting for them to count. Slowly wishing on shooting stars and as my heart starts to race, my eyes dart around the room. These final moments . . . waiting.
A.G. - Anxiously Awaiting
5 notes · View notes