Christmas Around the World: 8 Traditions for Kids

What if we celebrated Christmas somewhere else?

Back home, Christmas has its must-haves: the tree, the Yule log, stockings by the fireplace, and that night on December 24th when everyone listens closely, hoping to hear a sleigh. To a child, it seems obvious: this is just what Christmas is.

Except it isn't. Elsewhere, presents arrive on January 1st, or on the 6th. People eat fried chicken, head to the beach, or wait for thirteen visitors instead of just one. In some countries, Christmas isn't celebrated at all, and an entirely different holiday brings families together at year's end.

That is precisely what makes the topic so exciting to explore as a family. Discovering how others celebrate means realizing that our own habits aren't "the default," but just one way among many. It's also a fantastic source of questions for those long December evenings.

We're taking you on an 8-stop tour around the world. Real traditions—sometimes funny, sometimes surprising—to share with your children throughout Advent.

8 Christmas traditions from around the world

1. Iceland: thirteen mischievous trolls instead of one Santa

In Iceland, there isn't just one visitor, but thirteen. These are the Jólasveinar, the "Yule Lads"—playful characters who come down from the mountains one by one, night after night, over the thirteen days leading up to Christmas. Each has his own quirky habit: one licks spoons, another steals candles, while a third peeks through windows.

Children leave a shoe on their windowsill. If they've been good, they find a small present inside. If they haven't, they get a potato. And on the evening of the 24th, Icelanders exchange books and dive into reading them right away. This tradition even has a name: Jólabókaflóð, the "Christmas Book Flood."

The question that will pop right out: "Wait, could we get thirteen presents too?"

2. Mexico: nine nights of celebration before Christmas

In Mexico, Christmas preparations span nine consecutive evenings, from December 16th to the 24th. These are the Posadas: every night, families and neighbors reenact Mary and Joseph's journey as they search for shelter. People knock on doors while singing, until a home welcomes them in and the party begins.

On the agenda: the piñata, often shaped like a seven-pointed star, which blindfolded children break open to unleash a shower of candy. And the festivities don't stop there. On January 6th, Three Kings' Day, everyone shares the rosca de reyes, a crown-shaped sweet bread hiding a tiny figurine. Whoever finds it has to host and cook tamales for everyone on February 2nd.

The question that will pop right out: "Why do we smash something so pretty?"

3. Japan: fried chicken and a strawberry cake

In Japan, Christmas isn't a religious holiday for most families. It's more of a joyful occasion spent with friends or as a couple. Ever since a clever 1970s advertising campaign, millions of Japanese people eat fried chicken that evening—to the point where you often have to place your order weeks in advance. For dessert, it's a white sponge cake topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

The real big family celebration is New Year's. On December 31st, temple bells ring 108 times, and people eat soba noodles—long and slender, symbolizing a long life. Children, for their part, receive money tucked inside beautifully decorated envelopes.

The question that will pop right out: "Why 108 bell rings, and not 100?"

4. Australia: Christmas in a swimsuit

In Australia, Christmas falls right in the middle of summer. Temperatures can easily top 30°C (86°F) on December 25th. So lunch is enjoyed outside, around a barbecue or right on the beach, featuring seafood and pavlova—a crisp meringue dessert heaped with whipped cream and fresh fruit.

Santa adapts: you'll spot him wearing board shorts, sometimes catching waves on a surfboard. And in a very famous local Christmas carol, his sleigh isn't pulled by reindeer at all, but by six white kangaroos (the "six white boomers").

The question that will pop right out: "Why is it summer over there when it's winter here?"

5. Greece: carols, a boat, and a hidden coin

In Greece, on Christmas Eve, children go door to door singing kalanta, traditional blessing carols, keeping time with a small metal triangle. In return, neighbors hand out sweets or a few coins. In many homes, people also decorate a small wooden boat, the karavaki, in honor of seafaring sailors.

Gifts arrive on January 1st courtesy of Saint Basil. On that day, families slice the vasilopita, a sweet cake baked with a coin hidden inside. Whoever finds the lucky slice will enjoy good fortune all year long.

The question that will pop right out: "Can we hide a coin in our holiday cake too?"

6. Egypt: Christmas on January 7th

In Egypt, Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th because their religious calendar follows the Julian calendar rather than our Gregorian one. Leading up to the holy day, many observe a strict fast for several weeks, abstaining from meat and all animal products.

A special church service takes place on the night of January 6th to 7th. Upon returning home, families finally gather around a hearty feast and share sweet, powdered-sugar biscuits called kahk with neighbors and friends.

The question that will pop right out: "How can there be two different calendars?"

7. Canada: an official address to write to Santa

In Canada, Santa Claus has an official mailing address and even his own postal code: H0H 0H0. Every year, hundreds of thousands of children send him letters, and Canada Post ensures that every single letter receives a personalized reply, thanks to thousands of dedicated volunteers.

In Quebec, the big celebration is the réveillon feast, enjoyed late on Christmas Eve after midnight mass, featuring tourtière (a savory meat pie) and lively folk songs well into the early morning hours.

The question that will pop right out: "Does Santa really write back?"

8. Peru: a steaming cup of shared hot chocolate

In Peru, Christmas goes hand in hand with the chocolatada: everyone gathers to sip thick, spiced hot chocolate alongside slices of panetón, a tall sweet bread studded with candied fruit. Neighborhoods and charities organize chocolatadas so that children from disadvantaged families can join in the celebration too.

In Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, a sprawling outdoor market fills the main plaza on December 24th: the Santurantikuy ("sale of saints"). Artisans sell handcrafted nativity figurines, including the beloved Niño Manuelito—baby Jesus depicted in traditional Andean clothing.

The question that will pop right out: "Can we host our own chocolatada at home?" (The answer is a resounding yes.)

Bringing the journey home

You don't need to pack your bags to borrow a tradition. Here are a few simple ways to take your Advent calendar on a trip around the globe:

• One evening, one country. Throughout Advent, share one tradition each evening around the dinner table, and let the kids guess which country it comes from.
• The Icelandic shoe trick. Leave a shoe on the windowsill for a few nights, with a tiny surprise waiting when they wake up. An instant hit every time.
• Sunday chocolatada. Whip up a rich, thick hot chocolate and slice up some sweet bread to enjoy together as a family or with friends.
• Merry Christmas in multiple languages. Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas, Kala Christougenna (in Greek)… Kids love collecting words in other languages. If yours enjoy it, we share how to bring languages to life at home through play.
• A world map on the wall. For every new tradition discovered, stick a little colored dot on the country. By the end of Advent, you can trace just how far you've traveled.

For children eager to explore further, HappyKidsBox created Mon enquête autour du monde, detective-themed activity boxes that reveal a country through an engaging mystery: a passport to stamp, riddles to solve, plus the history, geography, and cultural traditions of each destination to uncover together. You'll find all the countries featured in this article, from Japan and Iceland to Mexico and Peru. With the monthly box subscription, a brand-new country lands in your mailbox every month: a wonderful way to travel the world over the course of a year.

And if a tricky question goes unanswered (why 108 bell rings? why two different calendars?), kids can simply ask Compagnon. It's precisely these kinds of "why" questions that lead to fascinating new rabbit holes—like the true history of Halloween, which also started somewhere far away from home.

What about kids born in December?

There's one December reality that doesn't get talked about enough: kids whose birthdays happen to fall right in the middle of the month. Caught between big family meals, school breaks, and holiday gift-giving, their special day often gets overshadowed. They frequently hear: "I got you one big gift for both!" And when you're 8 years old, that stings a little.

So this year, why not throw them a celebration that belongs entirely to them, completely separate from Christmas? Invite a few friends, pick a theme they genuinely love, and don't hang a single holiday garland. If you're short on ideas or time during this busy season, HappyKidsBox birthday party kits offer ready-to-go adventures complete with games and mysteries for the whole crew. You could even borrow inspiration from one of the countries in this article: a Mexican piñata or an Icelandic troll hunt makes for an unforgettable party.

The best part? The questions themselves

The biggest takeaway from this world tour is that there isn't just one "right" way to celebrate Christmas. Gifts might show up on January 1st, 6th, or 7th; parties can unfold under blankets of snow or on sunny beaches; visitors might come down the chimney solo, or arrive in a band of thirteen.

And every single tradition sparks a question. Why is it summer down there? Why a different calendar? Why kangaroos? It's those curious questions that help children grow and think deeply—far more than any readymade answer ever could. So this year, between sweet holiday treats, welcome every curious thought with open arms.

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Gleðileg jól… and wonderful discoveries to you and your family.