Christmas Around the World

Christmas is celebrated in many different ways around the world. In Germany, people bake gingerbread cookies and build beautiful gingerbread houses. In Mexico, children play a game called “Posadas,” where they go from house to house singing carols and asking for shelter, just like Mary and Joseph. In Sweden, people celebrate St. Lucia’s Day on December 13th. Girls dress in white dresses with red ribbons and wear crowns of candles. In Australia, Christmas happens in summer, so families often have barbecues on the beach instead of sitting by a fireplace. In the United States, families decorate their houses with colorful lights and big Christmas trees. No matter the country, Christmas is always about joy, traditions, and spending time with family.

People in Germany bake gingerbread houses for Christmas

In Mexico, children play a game called “Posadas.”

St. Lucia’s Day is celebrated in Mexico on December 13th

Girls in Sweden wear white dresses with red ribbons on St. Lucia’s Day

People in Australia celebrate Christmas in winter

Australian families often have barbecues on the beach during Christmas

People in the United States decorate houses with lights and Christmas trees

Christmas is not about spending time with family

Germans do not bake gingerbread for Christmas

Children in Mexico go from house to house singing carols

St. Lucia’s Day happens in December in Sweden

Australians light candles and sit by the fireplace during Christmas