Christmas traditions around the world, and when gifts arrive

When do different countries open Christmas presents?

• December 5, evening: the Netherlands, for Sinterklaas.
• December 6, morning: Germany and nearby countries, where Saint Nicholas fills boots with small treats.
• December 24, Christmas Eve: Germany, Austria, Sweden, Poland and Iceland, among others.
• December 25, Christmas morning: the United States, the UK, Ireland, Canada and Australia.
• January 6, Three Kings Day: Spain and much of Latin America. In Italy, La Befana comes the night before.

What are Christmas traditions in Germany?

German families count down with an Advent calendar, a custom that started among German Lutherans. Many calendars begin on December 1, and each little door hides a picture or a treat.

On the night of December 5, children put a boot outside the front door. By morning, Saint Nicholas has filled it with sweets and small gifts.

The main gifts come on Christmas Eve. In southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the Christkind brings them, and nobody ever sees it arrive. In some homes, a small bell rings to say the gifts are ready.

What is Sinterklaas in the Netherlands?

For Dutch families, the big gift night is December 5, the eve of Saint Nicholas Day. Before bedtime, children leave a shoe by the fireplace with a carrot or some hay for Sinterklaas's horse.

On the evening of December 5, family and friends give presents "from Sinterklaas". A gift is often hidden inside a funny homemade disguise, called a surprise, and comes with a short personal poem.

How do Sweden and Iceland celebrate Christmas?

In Sweden, December 13 is Lucia Day. Children and adults in white gowns walk in candlelit processions at schools and offices.

Swedish gifts come on Christmas Eve, often handed out in person by someone dressed as the tomte, a Christmas gnome. That day, a large share of the country also watches the same Disney cartoon special on TV.

Iceland has the book flood. A free catalog of new books reaches every home before Christmas. Books are given on Christmas Eve, and many people read them that night.

Icelandic children also get visits from the 13 Yule Lads, who arrive one per night from December 12. They leave small gifts in shoes on windowsills, or a rotten potato for anyone who misbehaved.

What happens at Wigilia in Poland?

Wigilia is the Polish Christmas Eve supper. It starts only when the first star shows in the sky, so children watch the windows.

Before eating, everyone breaks and shares a thin wafer called opłatek and wishes each other well. Some families serve twelve dishes, spread a little hay under the tablecloth, and set one empty place for an unexpected guest. Gifts are opened after supper, around the tree.

How do Spain and Latin America celebrate Christmas?

In Spain, the Three Kings bring the gifts. On the evening of January 5, towns hold parades where the Kings throw sweets to the crowd. Children leave their shoes out that night and wake up to presents on January 6.

The day ends with roscón de reyes, a ring shaped cake with a small figure baked inside. In parts of South America, children also leave out grass and water for the Kings' camels.

In Mexico, Las Posadas runs for nine nights, from December 16 to 24. Neighbors walk from house to house, acting out Mary and Joseph's search for shelter. Each night ends with food, songs and a star shaped piñata.

In Catalonia, families care for a small log called the Tió de Nadal from December 8. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, children tap it with sticks while they sing, and it "gives" sweets and small gifts.

Who is La Befana in Italy?

La Befana is an old woman who flies on a broomstick on the night of January 5. She fills stockings with sweets for good children.

Most children also find a lump of "coal" in the stocking, as a joke about being a little naughty during the year. The coal is really black rock candy.

How is Christmas celebrated in the Philippines?

From December 16 to 24, many families go to Simbang Gabi, a series of nine masses held before dawn. Star shaped lanterns called parols hang in windows and streets, a custom linked to lighting the way to those early masses.

How do people celebrate Christmas in Japan?

Christmas in Japan is a light, festive holiday. A fried chicken dinner is a popular Christmas meal, and families often order it weeks ahead. Dessert is a light sponge cake with whipped cream and strawberries.

Christmas Eve is seen as a day for couples, with dinners out and small gifts.

What are Christmas traditions in the UK, Ireland and Australia?

In the UK and Ireland, Christmas dinner comes with crackers. Two people pull a paper tube until it snaps with a bang, and inside is a paper crown, a joke and a small gift. Everyone wears the crown for the rest of the meal.

In Australia, Christmas falls in summer. Families head to the beach, eat prawns and other seafood outdoors, and gather for Carols by Candlelight concerts on Christmas Eve.

What is a Christmas Eve box?

A Christmas Eve box is a small box of gifts opened on the evening of December 24. It is a newer tradition that spread in the UK. Many say it comes from the German habit of giving gifts on Christmas Eve.

A typical box holds new pajamas, a book, a hot chocolate mix and a small treat. It turns the night before Christmas into a cozy event of its own.

To wrap one neatly, see how to wrap a box with a lid.

How do families open presents on Christmas morning?

Every family does it a little differently. A few simple ideas keep the morning calm:

• Stockings first. They are a small start while the adults make coffee.
• Take turns. Open one gift at a time, so everyone sees each gift. Some families go youngest to oldest.
• Take a break. Stop for breakfast halfway, and the morning lasts longer.
• Keep a list. Note who gave what, so thank you notes are easy later.

How can blended families share Christmas traditions?

When two families join, each side brings its own habits. Keep one favorite tradition from each side, and let everyone suggest one new tradition that belongs to the whole family.

If children spend Christmas in two homes, agree early on who hosts Christmas Eve and who hosts Christmas morning. Some families switch every year, and some keep the same plan each year.

Which traditions can you borrow for your family?

• A book on Christmas Eve, as in Iceland, read before bed.
• Shoe night on December 5 or 6, with a small treat, as in the Netherlands and Germany.
• A small gift on January 6, as in Spain, to stretch the season a little longer.
• Crackers at dinner, as in the UK, with paper crowns for everyone.
• An empty place at the table, as in Poland, as a sign that guests are always welcome.
• A special plate, one festive plate for whoever is being celebrated, at Christmas or on a birthday.