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As we are soon approaching the most wonderful time of the year, are you ready to have a holly, jolly good time? Unarguably the best time of the year that everyone across the globe looks forward to, there is no time like the holiday season. A grand festival of the winter season where homes light up and cities come alive, Christmas Day celebrations also have a very distinct style of their own that varies across regions and communities. Read along to discover all about Christmas that is sure to get you in the mood for the holiday spirit.
Christmas history and significance
Have you ever wondered about Christmas day and what exactly is it all about? Here’s all you need to know. A worldwide festival that is traditionally known to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas holds great cultural as well as religious significance. Celebrated on the 25th of December every year, Christmas holds a long history. A midwinter celebration that takes place surrounding the winter solstice, Christmas celebrations are a staple for many cultures. A festival that began with the initiatives by the Christian church who wanted to make Christian holidays more popular and influential, the birth date of Jesus combined with the winter solstice is how Christmas came to be a grand celebration across the world as Christianity also began to spread across countries. Moreover, many historians are of the opinion that the Christmas day date is sacred because of the pagan festivals and solstice celebrations that take place. The basics about Christmas however surrounds the belief that God entered the world as a man in order to make amends for humanity’s sins rather than focusing upon the precise date of Jesus’ birth.
Best places to celebrate Christmas across the globe
You can always celebrate Christmas with family, at home. Sweet and memorable! But if you're somebody who loves to learn about Christmas celebrations around the world, we suggest exploring different cities that either hold importance or are big on festivities. As every city in the world celebrates the holiday season in its own unique style, if you are looking for the grandest Christmas celebration ever then San Juan in Puerto Rico should definitely be at the top of your travel list. An international destination that takes pride in having the world’s longest holiday season, Puerto Rico celebrates Christmas for a stretch of 45 days. With folk music, festive decorations and midnight mass services, this island surely knows how to have the grandest Christmas celebration.
If you are someone who takes a special delight into exploring the religious side of Christmas, then Rome, Italy is the among the best places in the world for you to celebrate Christmas day at. Considered as the most important places in Catholicism, taking part in the Christmas Eve mass at the Vatican City is surely going to be the most memorable and fulfilling experience for you to take part in. If you are looking towards planning a vibrant Christmas, then France and Germany should definitely be your top picks. With Stratsbuorg being home to France's oldest Christmas market, and Cologne in Germany having the best Christmas markets in the world, sip onto some mulled wine and take in the Christmas air as you explore these destinations. Lastly, if you are looking for the perfect destination to have a fun Christmas day but do not want to indulge in the freezing temperatures, Sydney in Australia has to be your best pick of the lot.
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Christmas traditions from around the world
A special day that is all about traditions and embracing the festive spirit, Christmas day is celebrated distinctly in the different regions of the world. With the scriptures about Christmas giving us a lot of insights on the celebrations, there are a lot many ways that the world celebrates Christmas in.
- The festive season in Japan celebrates Christmas by replacing the traditional turkey with a shared bucket of fried chicken. With the fast food chain KFC becoming synonymous with Christmas celebrations in Japan, the Japanese feast on fried chicken along with indulging in the Japanese Christmas cake.
- Finland being known as the birthplace of Santa Claus, the Finnish people typically end the Christmas day by leisurely basking in the sauna before plunging themselves into a heap of snow.
- The Austrians on the other hand, celebrate Christmas rather enthusiastically by taking part in parades, known as the Krampus Runs, where revellers dress in furs, wooden belts and bells in order to ride on flaming chariots that pass through the streets.
- In some European countries, the pagans are known to bring a fir tree into their homes during the winter solstice. They decorate and worship the tree with a view towards warding off the evil spirits of the upcoming new year.
- Amidst all the different Christmas celebrations, the Christmas ritual practised in Guatemala is the most unique. The various communities in Guatemala gather together to light bonfires and burn the effigy of the devil that is believed to cleanse their homes as well as the misfortunes suffered in the previous year.
Traditional Christmas dinners from across the world
There is no better way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year other than feasting till your heart’s content. With endless options of Christmas delights to choose from, the traditional roasted turkey still remains the favourite of the lot. With a number of variations of the roasted turkey, the quintessential recipe belongs to the UK.
The Lebanese Christmas dinner essentially features a range of national dishes, which are some of the best Middle Eastern delights. For those living in Madagascar, lychees make up for a special Christmas treat. However, Christmas is definitely incomplete without the quintessential classic Christmas fruit cake, to end your Christmas celebrations on the sweetest note.
Christmas celebrations in India
Christmas celebrations in India have their own charm. A day that is celebrated very differently in our country as compared to other international destinations, Christmas in India is all about travelling. Among the best places to go for Christmas in India is Goa. Known for its Christmas celebrations which are renowned throughout the world, Christmas celebrations in Goa are all about late night festivities and church visits.
Another must visit place in India during Christmas is Shimla. With a thriving Christian community, Shimla surely has the most joyful spirit during this time of the year. Lastly, if you want to witness the cultural side of Christmas, Kolkata should be among your top picks. With the City of Joy getting all lit up and decorated, the notable Anglo-Indian community in the city surely has their own unique way of observing Christmas in a traditional manner.
Best outfits to wear during Christmas
As Christmas is slowly approaching, we are surely wondering how to pick the best Christmas outfits this year. To make your decision a little easier, we have a few suggestions!
If you intend to turn heads at the Christmas party this year, go for shimmering outfits. Whether it's a glittery skirt or a sparkling top, Christmas is all about the festive vibes, and what could possibly be better than a shimmery outfit?
To give off a more playful yet sophisticated vibe, sheer dresses are your ultimate choice. Layer your sheer dress with a stylish wool coat to look your best this Christmas. Lastly, to actually embrace the festivities of Christmas this year, go for tied-up outfits, since bows truly make for the perfect festive embodiment.
Disclaimer: The details mentioned throughout this blog are sourced from publicly accessible platforms. At Zeezest, we intend to share factual and verified information. Should there be any inconsistencies or variances in the information provided, please understand that these are entirely unintentional and not meant to mislead.