4 of the best Christmas traditions around Europe

All of us love Christmas. In fact, we love it so much that it begins the second Halloween is over. Suddenly, festive jingles ring out in the shops, Christmas adverts start emerging on TV and town streets and squares are lit up with trees, huts and Christmas markets.

But we’re not the only ones devoted to the festive season. Indeed, countries around Europe all have their own special ways of marking the holiday! This is why Christmas traditions are actually sought after and not something people do out of habit.

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So we wanted to share some of the best Christmas traditions from around Europe, where they celebrate the holiday and have some of the old traditions in the world. We have highlighted 4 of the best gleaned from our community’s input.

But, before we jump into it, let’s first find out a bit more about it.

What are Christmas traditions?

Christmas traditions include a variety of customs, religious practices, rituals, and folklore associated with the celebration of Christmas. Many of these traditions vary by country or region, while others are practised in a virtually identical manner across the world.

Traditions associated with the Christmas holiday are diverse in their origins and nature, with some having an exclusively Christian character with origins from within the religion, while others have been described as more cultural or secular in nature and have originated from outside the realm of Christian influence.

Christmas traditions have also changed and evolved significantly in the centuries since Christmas was first instituted as a holiday, with celebrations often taking on an entirely different quality or atmosphere depending on the time period and geographical region.

Here are the four Christmas traditions that we wanted to highlight.

British Christmas traditions

In Blighty, they sure know how to celebrate the Christmas season. It starts with stocking up on mince pies as soon as they appear in the shops, enjoying a couple of an evening with a glass of port and a Christmas movie before moving on to the classic family-sized box of chocolates.

Around this time the Christmas markets will be arriving in towns and cities up and down the country, coaxing us out of our homes to enjoy some yuletide cheer and a glass of mulled wine. Of course, it’s never too early to put up the decorations. Whether you like to ornate your house with pretty Christmas lights, make your own wreath or put up the tree, it marks the official start of the holidays.

German Christmas traditions

The home of the world-famous German Christmas Market, Germany also boasts many Christmas traditions, and they take the holiday very seriously. Unlike in Britain, stockings are filled on the 6^th of December and Christmas Day actually takes place on the 24^th of December. 

Germany is also the birthplace of the advent calendar. What used to be a tradition of lighting candles and marking doors with a line of chalk are now the treat-filled calendars that are sold all over the world.

Christmas traditions of The Netherlands

Up north in The Netherlands, Christmas starts with the arrival of Sinterklaas. Not to be confused with Santa, Sinterklaas holds a very special place during the Dutch Christmas period and has been celebrated for over 300 years. Every major town and city re-enacts his arrival from Spain with plenty of apple fritters, spiced biscuits and Dutch mulled wine.

Spain Christmas traditions

In Southern Europe, Spain gets into the Christmas spirit by setting up beautiful nativity scenes in city centres, shops and homes. They appear in practically every town and village in Spain, normally taking a prime spot in front of a church. Spanish carols, or Villancicos, are also sung up and down the country. 

Of course, Christmas food is on the top of the list with nougats, marzipan and polvorones appearing in markets and shops during December. They’re also no strangers to a party at this time of year and usually accompany the merry-making with a sparkling glass of cava.

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Do you have any Christmas traditions that you want to share with us? Maybe you have fond memories from your childhood or come from a place where Christmas is an amazing experience. If we missed out on your favourite, please let us know in the comments and we’ll add them in.