believe that when Santa gets to Australia he gives the reindeer a rest and uses kangaroos! They also believe he changes clothes so he doesn’t get too hot. Most families try to be at home together for Christmas then have BBQs at the beach with their friends on Boxing Day.
In Argentina, preparations begin in November. Houses are decorated with lights and wreaths of green, gold, red & white flowers.
In Finland, people believe that Santa Claus or Father Christmas lives in the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi (or Lapland), Santa doesn't have far to travel on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to people in Finland so often he will deliver presents personally! Animals are given their own Christmas in Finland; farmers hang nuts and pieces of suet on trees in bags from the branches. In the evening, a traditional Christmas dinner is eaten including casseroles with macaroni, rutabaga, carrot and potato in with some cooked ham or turkey.
In India, Christmas is quite a small festival because only 2.3% of the population are Christian. Instead of having traditional Christmas Trees, a banana or mango tree is decorated. Sometimes people use mango leaves to decorate their homes. Christians often put small oil burning clay lamps on the flat roofs of their homes to show their neighbours that Jesus is the light of the world. Christians in Mumbai often display a nativity scene in their front windows; there's great competition over this! Every household also makes sure that they have a stock of homemade sweets ready for visitors.
In Mexico, Christmas is celebrated from 12th December until 6th January. There are nine houses which are decorated with evergreens, moss and paper lanterns called Posadas (Spanish for inn). Children then perform Posada processions; this celebrates the part of the Christmas story where Mary and Joseph are looking for an inn. Children get their main presents at Epiphany (January 6th); these come from the three kings.
In Egypt, about 15% of the population are Christian and celebrate Christmas. For 40 days before Christmas they take part in something called Kiahk; this involves not eating any meat products except fish. Christmas day itself is celebrated on 7th January as opposed to 25th December like many other countries.
In Zimbabwe, Christmas day starts with a Church service. After the Church service, everyone has a party in their homes and people go from house to house, visiting their family and friends on the way home! At every house they have something to eat and exchange presents. People get their stereo speakers out and put them outside the house and play their favourite music loudly; it’s not just Christmas music that is played, but also the latest pop tunes and old African favourites! The special food eaten at Christmas in Zimbabwe is Chicken with rice. Chicken is a very expensive food in Zimbabwe and is a special treat for Christmas.
In Jamaica people hang new curtains and even paint their houses in readiness for Christmas celebrations. Traditional refreshments for the day are Jamaican red wine and a fruit cake which is soaked in wine and white rum for months beforehand!
In China, only 1% are Christian so only they celebrate. It’s only celebrated in major cities. Most of the world’s plastic Christmas trees are made in China but because the majority of them don’t celebrate Christmas, they often don’t know what they’re for!
