All Around A Xmas World

Hello dear readers!

My name is Maria, and I am a MYP4 student. I live in boarding, which makes me hear 5+

different languages every day. That is the thing about an international school. It helps you to

be surrounded by people from all over the world every day, so today I am going to tell you

about winter holidays in different countries and different traditions, people often don't even

think of.

As you all know, Christmas is a well-known holiday, but not everyone knows how people

celebrate it in different countries. Together, we will travel the globe in celebration of discovering

the various and distinctive Christmas customs that make this holiday season really

international. I will tell you about winter holiday celebrations in countries with different traditions and religions, so you know how different the world is.

For example, in the United States, Christmas is a grand affair marked by elaborate

decorations, festive lights, and the iconic Christmas tree. Families exchange gifts on

Christmas morning, and communities come together to sing carols. The annual Macy's

Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, featuring Santa Claus, marks the official start of

the Christmas season.

Unlike the US, in Japan, where Christianity is a minority religion, Christmas is celebrated in a

more secular manner. KFC has become synonymous with Christmas dinner, and Christmas

cakes are popular treats. Illuminated displays and decorations create a festive ambiance in

cities across the country.

In the competition for "the worst weather for celebrating Christmas" Australia won!

Christmas in Australia unfolds during the summer, bringing a unique twist to the

festivities. Australians celebrate with barbecues, beach outings, and outdoor activities.

Carols by Candlelight events draw communities together for festive singing under the

Southern Hemisphere's night sky.

Here we are moving to my favorite part of this article, Christmas in ex-USSR countries, for

example, Russia and Ukraine.

A long time ago, when these countries were the same country, the government decided to

unattach the holiday from a religion so non-Christian people could enjoy the holiday just like

others. Since I am Russian, I can tell you from my personal experience that we still celebrate

Christmas, but on January 7th, but not as grandiosely as people in the US or I'm middle

Europe do. Russia is an orthodox country, just like Ukraine and some other eastern

European countries. Christmas in Russia still counts as a holiday, no matter if you are

Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or atheist.

The main symbol of Christmas in Russia and Ukraine is, obviously, a Christmas tree, but

more detailed, we also have our own Sant Claus called Ded Moroz, which means Grandfather

Frost. New Year's Eve is mostly spent with family or friends, having a big grandiose dinner all

together, which is often followed by fireworks after midnight.

In every family, it is different, but kids who are not capable of staying up until 12 AM cannot

open the presents until the next day because it is officially the New Year only the next day.

Anyway, the fact that they already physically have them because "Ded Moroz" brought their

presents to the kids on New Year's Eve is already making them happy and making them

love the holiday.

Now you know how different the countries in our world are and how confusing their

traditions can be, but it is normal, and eventually, everyone gets what they want during the

winter holidays!