With Christmas only 2 days away people are busy decorating their trees and doing some last minute shopping. Yet despite Christmas first being celebrated in Europe during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine the holiday has expanded throughout the years around the world and is now one of the most widely known and celebrated holiday! Although many celebrate this holiday, each nation and country has created their own rituals and traditions for Christmas. From the US to Spain to everywhere else, Hope Out Loud is here to inform you of how Christmas is celebrated throughout the world!

  1. Egypt: In Egypt, Christmas is not celebrated on the 25th of December but on the 7th of January, like in Ethiopia and some Orthodox Christians in Russia and Serbia also celebrate on the 7th. Many commemorate this holiday by going to Christmas service, which ends at midnight with the ringing of the church bells. After service families than go back home to eat a special Christmas meal known as fata. This mouth-watering  meal consists of breads, rice, garlic, and boiled meats! Slightly different from the spiraled ham and yams that are traditionally consumed in America, but just as delicious!
  2. Madagascar: A small island off the coast of Africa is filled with tradition and history! Despite this island being very warm during the holiday season, snow is still considered a common decoration! Since Malagasy is the official language of Madagascar, instead of going around and saying Merry Christmas and Happy New Year people on this charming island say “Mirary Krismasy sambatra sy Taona vaovao tonga lafatra ho anao!” Impress your family this holiday season by telling them Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Malagasy this holiday season!
  3. Ghana: People in Ghana celebrate Christmas from the 20th of December until the first week in January! With over 66 languages spoken over Ghana the diversity of Christmas traditions, sayings, and celebration are unreal! Each language has their own traditions and cultures, making Ghana a very interesting and intriguing place to be this Christmas season! Not to mention that December marks the start of cocoa harvest in Ghana! With Ghana being the world’s second biggest cocoa producer, the amount of chocolate consumed in the holiday seasons in surreal! The cocoa crop generates about $2 billion revenue annually!
  4. Mexico: Posada time is here! In Mexico, Christmas is celebrated from 12th of December to the 6th of January. Posadas are a celebration that commemorates the Christian story of Joseph and Mary looking for shelter. For the posadas, the outside of houses are decorated with evergreens, moss and paper lanterns! Click here to learn more about posadas.
  5. Germany: In Germany, a Christmas tree is a must! They were first used in Germany during the Middle Ages and have become a Christmas tradition in many households throughout the world. Although in Germany the trees are usually secretly decorated by the mother or father in order to surprise the children with a green Christmas tree gushing with holiday cheer!

Hope Out Loud would like to wish each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May you find the beauty in culture around the world!