Insiders: Global Holiday Traditions
Favorites from members around the world.
You’ve likely seen the - now - viral Icelandic tradition of giving books to family and friends on Christmas Eve. Curious about other cultures, we interviewed a handful of Syllogi’s well traveled members about their favorite holiday traditions from their home countries. From Brazil, to Jamaica, to Europe, these are some ways the globe brings comfort home:
Fernando, Brazil:
My favorite tradition is to sleep after having dinner and await Santa Claus delivering the gifts. So when I woke up we all run to the tree to open the presents and have a sweet bread called “rabanada” with milk and coffee for Christmas breakfast.
Bernadett, Hungary:
Santa actually comes on December 6th in Hungary, and then the Baby Jesus comes on Christmas Eve with the bulk of presents. On the “Day of Mikulás” last week, Santa brings candy/chocolate for the good kids, and bare branches or a lump of coal for bad kids. The night before, we have to clean our shoes and put them in the window, and that’s where Santa inserts our gifts within the tops of our boots.
Gloria, Spain:
If I have to choose, my favourite thing is the “zambombas,” typical in Jerez in Southern Spain. It is a street party, around a fire where everybody from the neighbourhood gathers to sing flamenco Christmas songs. You drink anis, and clap, and sing. The name of the party comes from the name of the instrument they use, called zambomba.
Clara, Denmark
We do a rice pudding dessert (called "risalamande") that has a game connected to it. There are cut up almonds in the pudding and you add one whole one. Whoever gets the bowl with the whole one wins and gets a present. We also light the Christmas tree and dance around it singing songs.
Tina, Germany
We practice a tradition from the Swabia region of Southern Germany: "Christbaumloben" (complementing each other's Christmas tree). You go to a friends or neighbours house, and when you compliment their Christmas tree you have a drink together, usually a shot of Schnapps.
On Christmas Day we have sausages with potato salad, or roast goose, sometimes raclette or fondue. Some families read poems / play music / sing songs after dinner and then it’s time for presents. We eat Christmas cookies (that we make during the Advent time) after dinner as well and have Glühwein or Kinderpunsch for the kids.
Marion, Jamaica:
My fondest Christmas holiday tradition growing up in Jamaica was going to ‘Grand Market’ on Christmas Eve. This is mostly celebrated in the rural areas and celebrated less nowadays. The towns would be festive throughout with bright lights, vibrant music and vendors from over would line the streets. It was an opportunity to buy gifts and treats; a ‘street party’ that lasted all night until almost daybreak. The fun was non-stop! We then go home on Christmas morning and enjoy our extravagant Christmas Day feasts!
Syllogi’s ‘On Location’ is a series of trip reports reflecting on our personal travels, as we research and experience the bounty the world has on offer.
