Christmas traditions around the world, and when gifts arrive
Not every family opens gifts on Christmas morning. Here are some familiar gift days and the traditions that go with them.
Find your gift day
Germany
Main gifts on Christmas Eve; small boot gifts on 6 December.
Children may leave a boot out on the night of 5 December for sweets and small gifts. Many families open their main presents on Christmas Eve.
See German gift lists German site
The Netherlands
Gifts on the evening of 5 December.
Family and friends exchange presents for Sinterklaas. A gift may come with a short poem, inside a funny homemade wrapper called a “surprise”.
See Dutch gift lists Dutch site
Sweden & Iceland
Gifts on Christmas Eve.
In Sweden, someone dressed as the tomte may hand out gifts. In Iceland, books are a familiar Christmas Eve present, often read that night.
See Swedish gift lists Swedish site
Poland
Gifts on Christmas Eve, after supper.
Wigilia is the Christmas Eve supper. In some families, children watch for the first star before the meal begins. Presents are opened afterwards.
See Polish gift lists Polish site
Spain & Latin America
Three Kings Day in many families.
Children may leave shoes out on the night of 5 January and wake up to gifts. Traditions and gift days vary across the region and between families.
Gift lists for Spain Spanish site
Gift lists for Latin America Latin American site
Italy
La Befana’s stocking gifts arrive at night.
La Befana fills stockings with sweets on the night of 5 January. A lump of “coal” is often black rock candy. This is one part of the season’s celebrations.
See Italian gift lists Italian site
UK, Ireland & Australia
Gifts on Christmas morning in many homes.
Christmas crackers often contain a paper crown, a joke and a small gift. In Australia, Christmas falls in summer, so celebrations may move outdoors.
See Christmas gift lists English site
These are common traditions, not rules for every household.
Ask the family.
“Which day do you open presents?” is a useful place to start.
The country links lead to gift lists in the language shown.
Read the full guide
Short answer. Not every family opens gifts on Christmas morning. Here is the day each country waits for, one small tradition and what to give.
Five days to know
- December 5: the Netherlands, in the evening
- December 6: Germany, small gifts in a boot
- December 24: Christmas Eve, in much of Europe
- December 25: Christmas morning, in the US, the UK and Australia
- January 6: Three Kings Day, in Spain and Latin America
Germany
Gifts: a small one in a boot on December 6, the main ones on Christmas Eve.
On the night of December 5, children put a boot outside the door, and Saint Nicholas fills it with sweets. On Christmas Eve, a small bell rings to say the gifts are ready.
Give: a small treat for the boot, and the main gift chosen for the person.
The Netherlands
Gifts: the evening of December 5.
Families swap presents "from Sinterklaas". Each gift hides inside a funny homemade disguise, called a surprise, with a short poem.
Give: one small gift, a playful disguise and a short poem.
Sweden and Iceland
Gifts: Christmas Eve.
In Sweden, someone dressed as the tomte, a Christmas gnome, hands out the gifts. In Iceland, books are given on Christmas Eve and read that night.
Give: in Iceland, a book to read that night.
Poland
Gifts: Christmas Eve, after supper.
Wigilia, the Christmas Eve supper, starts when the first star shows in the sky. Some families set one empty place for an unexpected guest.
Give: something personal to open after supper.
Spain and Latin America
Gifts: the morning of January 6, Three Kings Day.
On the evening of January 5, the Kings throw sweets at town parades. Children leave their shoes out that night and wake up to presents.
Give: ask which day the family celebrates before you choose when to give.
Gift ideas in Spanish for Spain and for Latin America
Italy
Gifts: the night of January 5.
La Befana, an old woman on a broomstick, fills stockings with sweets. Most children also find a lump of "coal", which is really black rock candy.
Give: a small sweet for a stocking.
The UK, Ireland and Australia
Gifts: Christmas morning, December 25.
Christmas dinner comes with crackers: 2 people pull a paper tube until it bangs, and inside is a paper crown, a joke and a small gift. In Australia, Christmas falls in summer, so many families head to the beach.
Give: choose for the person, and for the season they celebrate in.
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