Christmas Traditions from across Europe (#97)

GERMANY

1. Stockings are opened on 6th December

Children in Germany open their stockings on the morning of Saint Nicholas Day, 6th December. Known as the Feast of Saint Nicholas, this age-old tradition is observed in many European countries, regardless of religious denomination. Typically, a Christmas stocking is an empty sock, a sock-shaped bag or more modern stockings which children will leave outside their door for Saint Nicholas to fill. From small toys to oranges and chocolate coins, it's a lovely surprise for children to enjoy at the beginning of December.

2. Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve (Heiliger Abend) is a jam-packed day of celebrations for Germans. Traditionally, many households will spend the day decorating the tree, preparing food for the family and sprucing up the home. As soon as the night draws in, households will gather around the tree.

According to tradition, the 'Christkind' (Christ child) delivers the presents when the children are waiting outside the room. A bell will be rung for children to step inside the room, where the family will then sing carols before the bescherung (opening of gifts) begins. Some families head to Christmas Eve services at their local churches afterwards, while others may indulge in a cheese fondu.

3. The Christmas tree is decorated last

Traditionally, the tree is only put up in Germany on 24th December. While this now varies from family to family, many of the older generation still deck the halls on the morning of Christmas Eve. The rest of the home is decorated beforehand, but it's just the tree which is saved until last.

4. Placing an Advent wreath on the table

Advent wreaths, known as an Adventskranz, is a tradition which the German Lutherans in the 16th century kick-started. Typically, the wreath consists of four candles in a bed of pine cones, berries, dried flowers and various festive ornaments. Most households will bring out the wreath at the beginning of December, lighting one candle each Sunday throughout the month. The white candle of the Advent wreath (the one in the middle) will be lit on Christmas Day.

5. Stollen

Perhaps one of the best German Christmas traditions — not to mention the tastiest — is stollen. The fruit bread, which is made with nuts, spices, candied fruit and powdered sugar, is enjoyed throughout the holiday season. Typically known in Germany as Weihnachtsstollen or Christstollen, this famous festive cake has made its way all around the world — and is unsurprisingly loved by all. Look out for it in your local supermarket this Christmas.

6. Sternsinger

Sternsigner, which translates to star singers, is when young children dress up as the Three Wise Men and go to visit houses in their neighbourhood with a star on a rod. They will often sing carols to spread good cheer. It derives from Catholic tradition and is also done in some parts of Austria, too.

7. Hand-carved wooden Nutcracker figures

Decorative nutcracker figurines, commonly made to resemble a toy soldier, is a common German Christmas tradition. According to German folklore, nutcrackers were given as good luck keepsakes to the family to protect their home. It's thought they would watch over the family, keeping evil spirits and danger at bay.

8. Christmas Day is called 'Erster Feiertag'

Unlike Christmas Day celebrations in England, the Germans know 25th December as 'Erster Feiertag', which means first celebration day. While the presents will have all been opened on Christmas Eve, the 25th is a still a day where families gather, good food is eaten and people enjoy well-deserved time off work.

FRANCE

1. Advent

The four weeks before Christmas are dedicated to preparations for Christmas. On 1 December children open their first ‘window/door’ in the Advent calendar. This French Christmas tradition makes kids even more excited about upcoming Christmas events.

2. Le Réveillon

This is the name of the French Christmas Eve meal, which is a big and long feast. The name comes from the verb réveiller, to wake up or revive. Increasingly more families start this French Christmas tradition on Christmas Day, when it is easier for the whole family to gather together, but traditionally the evening of December 24th is when French families sit down together to celebrate Christmas and enjoy festive French foods and wines. If you’ve heard about French people eating long and slowly, this dinner is the greatest example of this French custom. The meal can go for up to six hours.

3. Traditional French Christmas food

Food is a big part of French Christmas traditions. It depends on the region but some common French Christmas foods include:

• smoked salmon and oysters with bran bread and (real) butter
• foiegras (goose or duck liverpate)
• goose
• capon or turkey stuffed with chestnuts
• Servings of vegetables such as green beans cooked with garlic and butter and provincial herbs sautéed potatoes.

To finish the feast you will get the amazing looking and tasting La bûche de Noël (yule log), a sponge cake decorated like a yule log, traditionally made of chocolate and chestnuts.

4. Les Treize (13) desserts

This is a Provençal French Christmas tradition but worth mentioning as it sounds so ‘challenging’ – can you imagine having 13 desserts after the main (big) Christmas feast? In France they are important as they symbolise Christ and the 12 apostles at the Last Supper.

Typical desserts include fruits, nuts and sweets such as dried figs, hazelnuts or walnuts, almonds and dried grapes or a cake called Pompe à l’huile. As part of this Christmas tradition in France, everyone has to taste each dessert in order to have good luck for the upcoming year.

5. Table decoration

It is very important for French people to have their Christmas dining table looking extremely elegant and inviting. It’s common to put three candlesticks on the table, which represent the Trinity. An interesting French Christmas tradition is that the French knot the ends of the tablecloth so the Devil can’t get under the table.

6. Shoes in front of the fireplace – Les Cadeaux Noel

In some parts of France, Christmas comes early when Father Christmas (le Pere Noel) brings small gifts and sweets for children on Saint Nicholas Day – 6th December! French children, especially in the north of France, put their shoes near the fireplace so that Père Noël can find them and fill them with small presents or treats.

7. Le Père Fouettard

The Christmas Bogeyman, otherwise known as Father Spanker, is the partner and helper of Saint Nicolas. He decides if each kid behaved good or bad. He is the one who does the ‘spanking’ to bad behaving children.

8. The papillotes

Theses are the chocolates (or candied fruits) wrapped in golden sparking paper with fringed ends. Inside there is a little note written on it. The papillote was created in Lyon at the end of the 18th century. Nowadays they are a delicious French Christmas tradition, sold massively in shops at the end of each year. They usually decorate the Christmas table and are an essential element of Christmas traditions in France.

9. La fête des Rois

The 6 January is a day to celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings. Some places in France perform a street procession of the Three Kings for children to watch.

10. La Galette des Rois

The ‘king’s cake’ celebrates Epiphany in France. There are three versions of this cake and the most popular consists of flaky puff pastry layers with a center of frangipane or apple. There is also a sablé galette which has a type of sweetcrust pastry and brioche cake with candied fruits and sugar. The cakes are usually sold in special bags with the paper crown for the ‘king’ who finds the fève – a small figure/bean hidden in their piece of cake.

Traditionally, it is the youngest in the family who distributes the pieces of cake hiding below the table and shouting the name of the person who should get each piece.

ITALY

1. Extended Celebrations

One of the best Italian Christmas traditions is that they celebrate for much longer than other countries. Their festive season officially starts on December 8 - celebrated with the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, where families set up the Christmas tree and crib. It lasts right the way through until January 6, the 12th day of Christmas, known as the Epiphany. This means that the rest of the Christmas traditions described below last even longer than you’d think!

2. No meat on Christmas Eve

In what is a very traditional tradition, the Italians don’t eat meat on Christmas Eve, or la Vigilia. Instead they eat a variety of fish dishes - sometimes up to seven courses of seafood! This is typical on the day and night before any religious celebration; you are supposed to ‘eat lean’ and purify your body ahead of the holidays! Popular fish dishes vary across the country. In Rome, they enjoy the local dish of pezzetti: artichoke, zucchini and broccoli fried together - whereas in Naples, seafood and broccoli are sautéed.

As well as fish, of course, the people of Italy have pasta dishes on Christmas Eve. Again, the specific pasta dishes vary depending on whereabouts in the country you are. Places like Piedmont and Lombardy in the north will eat lasagna filled with anchovies, while in Naples you are more likely to be served vermicelli with mussels or clams.

3. Visiting the Vatican for midnight mass

A popular Christmas tradition for those who live or are staying in Rome is visiting the Vatican for midnight mass with the Pope on Christmas Eve. This actually happens at 9.30pm, rather than midnight, and is free to attend. It is also televised in St. Peter’s Square for those who don’t manage to get into the basilica to see the Pope - and participate in the mass - up close. 

4. Skiing into Christmas

While some Italians are attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve, others are whizzing down the slopes on Christmas Day. In northern Italy people ski down the mountains at midnight, carrying torches as a festive celebration!

5. Bagpipes on the piazzas

In various Italian cities, and especially in Rome - the Eternal city - you are likely to find men playing bagpipes in the squares across town. Known as ‘zampognari’, they dress as shepherds; this is because, traditionally, it was the shepherds who made the journey from their mountain homes into the piazzas to earn some extra money by playing the bagpipes to anyone who would listen. This was based on the story of the shepherds who visited Jesus on the night of his birth and played the bagpipes for him.

The zampognari tradition dates back to ancient Roman times, and it’s so much fun to see it still continuing in Italian cities and hillside towns today. The pipers wear short breeches with leather leggings, a sheepskin vest with a woolly cloak and also a peaked cap.

6. Gifts from the good witch

It is not only Santa who brings Christmas gifts. Right across Italy, on January 6 - marking the end of the holiday season - there is a visit from la Befana. This translates literally as ‘the good witch’, and legend says that on this date she would fill stockings with candy for the children on the good list, and coal for the naughty children.

But she didn’t stop there, as she would also sweep the floor: being a good housekeeper, as was in her nature, but it is said that this was also to sweep away the problems of the previous year and leave the family with a fresh slate to go into the year ahead. Her housework, according to the tale, stopped her from venturing out with the three kings on the night they went off in search of baby Jesus. She went off herself later on, with a bag full of gifts for the newborn king.

7. Displaying a ceppo

In most Italian households you will likely find a ceppo on display during the festive season. Believed to have originated from the Tuscan area, a ceppo is a pyramid-shaped wooden frame which can be anywhere up to a few feet high. Within the frame there are shelves: the bottom shelf will display a small Nativity scene and those above will have candy, fruit and small gifts on them. A star or little doll may be placed at the top, and sometimes candles are attached to the sides - everyone does their ceppo slightly differently, but the basic premise is the same and they are a popular decoration in Italian homes during the holidays.

SPAIN

1. A Visit From The Three Kings

Santa Claus doesn’t traditionally come to Spain. Instead, Spanish children get their presents from the Three Kings (or Three Wise Men). And these Reyes Magos don’t come on December 25th, either! Nope, kids here have to wait until January 6th, the day of the Epiphany, to open their gifts.

But it’s worth the wait! The day before the Reyes come, locals flock to the streets to greet them. There’s a massive parade, and people dressed as the Three Wise Men ride atop floats and throw candy to the masses. Known as la cabalgata de los Reyes Magos, this parade is one of the highlights of Spanish Christmas.

Nowadays, kids in Spain usually open a few presents on Christmas Day as well. It’s also traditional in some areas for children to sing Spanish Christmas songs to their neighbours or family members on December 25th in exchange for sweets or small presents. 

2. The Christmas Lottery

The Spanish Christmas lottery is the biggest in the world, paying out more than 2 billion euros each year. For that reason, it’s colloquially known as El Gordo: “the fat one.” Almost everyone in the country plays, usually going in with their friends and co-workers and only buying a share of a single ticket. The results are announced on the morning of December 22, with a drawing presented live across the nation. As each number is chosen, a choir of schoolchildren sings it aloud. 

3. Festive Feasts

Of all the Spanish holiday traditions, one of the best by far is the abundance of multi-course meals. Christmas is the perfect time to enjoy some of the country’s most beloved dishes, which are served up in long and elaborate holiday feasts.

The fun starts on Christmas Eve with an indulgent dinner, often including several types of tapas, soup, seafood, and roasted and cured meats. You might want to have a light breakfast the next morning, because Christmas Day lunch is equally impressive. Just a week later, this pattern is repeated on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day—and then again for Three Kings Day in early January. If you want to celebrate Christmas like a true Spaniard, you’d better show up with a big appetite!

4. Roscón De Reyes 

Each Spanish holiday meal, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day, is followed by delicious dessert. But on the eve of the Epiphany, the star of the season appears: roscón de reyes.

This “Kings’ cake” is a Christmastime staple, consisting of sweet brioche stuffed with pastry cream and topped with candied fruit. Its doughnut shape is said to be inspired by the crowns the Three Wise Men wear.

And here’s the fun part: When each family member bites into their slice of cake, they’re crossing their fingers, hoping they’ll find a small ceramic toy (traditionally shaped like the baby Jesus). If you chomp on the toy, you get good luck for the whole year! But if you’re unlucky enough to bite down on a dried fava bean, you have to pay for next year’s cake.

5. The Caga Tió

Not to be outdone by the rest of the country, Catalonia also has its own unique Christmas traditions. Each December, Catalan families decorate a wooden log with a face and legs. It’s kept in the house or garden and covered with a blanket to keep it from getting cold. This log is called the Caga Tió—the “pooping log.” Why?

Well, on Christmas Day, children gather around the log and start to beat it with sticks. While they whack, they sing a song asking the log to poop out candy for them to eat on Christmas. Once the song is finished, they pull back the blanket to discover a treasure trove of hidden sweets.

6. Día De Los Inocentes & Els Enfarinats

While most of the rest of the world is pulling pranks on April 1, the Spanish are patiently biding their time. But come December 28, Spaniards start watching their backs. El Día de los Santos Inocentes is anything but innocent—but if you don’t feel like playing pranks, you can just dress up in a wig instead!

If you visit Madrid’s Christmas market in the weeks leading up to this holiday, you’ll probably notice some vendors selling small prank gifts: perfect for elDía de los Santos Inocentes.

Fun Fact: In Alicante, this holiday is extra fun—and messy. It includes the traditional Spanish festival of Els Enfarinats, which involves throwing eggs and flour at one another in the streets!

7. El Arrastre

The children of Cádiz, a beach town in southwestern Spain, have their own special Christmas tradition. It’s called El Arrastre (“The Drag”) and takes place on January 5: the day before Three Kings Day.

In order to remind the Reyes Magos to come and give them presents, the kids take to the streets to drag around strings with metal cans attached, making a ton of noise to get the Kings’ attention. Some people also say that the purpose of El Arrastre is to scare off a giant who would otherwise cover the sky in smoke so that the Three Kings can’t visit!

8. Santa Claus Race

Okay, we know we already said that Santa Claus isn’t a thing in Spain, but there is at least one big exception. Every year in December, thousands of people dressed up as Santa take over the streets of Madrid. They’re participating in La Carrera de Papa Noel, a charity run with a festive twist. 

The race route winds through Madrid’s city center, creating a unique spectacle that can put a smile on even the biggest Scrooge’s face. The best part? All proceeds from the race go to charitable causes such as the Cruz Roja (Red Cross).

9. Holiday Bonfires

Everybody loves a roaring fire in the hearth at Christmastime—but in Andalusia, they take this tradition one step further. Some southern Spanish cities celebrate the holidays with giant bonfires.

In Granada and Jaén, the Hogueras de Navidad (“Christmas Bonfires”) take place on the winter solstice, a few days before Christmas. Jumping over the flames supposedly brings good health in the following year!