As wonderful as travelling and exploring the world is, Christmas is a time best spent at home, right? Not necessarily – there’s no reason to keep your Christmas at home. After all, if you’re passionate about exploring new cultures (or even if you’re just bored of turkey), that doesn’t have to stop when the holidays come around. Even if you prefer to be where you’ve always known, why not try out other cultures from the comfort of your own abode?
So what’s your Christmas theme? Here are a few of our favourite suggestions.
1. Indian Christmas
Christmas in India focuses mostly on religion, as only 2.3% of the population is Christian, so the holiday isn’t as ingrained into the culture of the country as it is in Britain. A large part of Christmas in India is Midnight mass, and afterwards, families have a feast of delicacies, including many different Christmas sweets. The traditional fruitcake is present but there are also rose cookies, sweet dumplings, curly doughballs, and so much more. And if you don’t feel like Christmas Eve is the best time for experimentation in the kitchen, no need to fear: with takeaway services like Deliveroo around, great cuisine is always available with much less work for you! Also, don’t forgo the Christmas lights this year: Indian festivals are nearly always bright and colourful, and also nothing feels more Christmassy than colourful twinkling lights.
2. Italian Christmas
So, how is Christmas celebrated in the home of Catholicism? Well, one of the most important parts is the Nativity crib scene. Naples is famous for its cribs and crib making, with good reason: the first Neapolitan crib is thought to date back to 1025! So, for an Italian Christmas, put out your crib on the 8th of December and add the figure of baby Jesus to it on Christmas Eve.
But what about the food? On Christmas Eve, no meat is eaten (so maybe not the best idea for pigs-in-blankets fans!) so seafood is usually served. Many families also have a large Christmas Eve meal of fish dishes, called The Feast of the Seven Fishes. And, as for pudding, panettone is on the menu!
3. Australian Christmas
For those who don’t enjoy the cold, wet winter that comes along with Christmas, why not bash away the blues with a summery Australian Christmas? You can keep the traditional Christmas food and you can add seafood or barbeque for a twist! Or you could watch a Carols by Candlelight service, which are very popular in Australia but also loved in the rest of the world, including Britain. Check out this Ticketmaster page to find the one nearest you! And for a really authentic feel, you could decorate your house with “Christmas Bush”, a native Australian plant with green leaves and cream coloured flowers (though you won’t experience them turning red over the summer!)
However you decide to celebrate it, make it a very Merry Christmas!