Have you ever imagined eating KFC food for Christmas? Celebrating the holiday not with a snowman, but with a giant straw figure? Or with flaming torches, floating lanterns, and a parade in the city center? Sounds unconventional, right?
While in Bulgaria we focus on a cozy and family-oriented atmosphere, around the world the holiday becomes a true spectacle of different traditions. Each one has its own history, symbolism, and unique color, passed down through generations.
And the best part is that today you can experience them too! In this article, we from Elegantz.bg will take you on a different adventure – to Poland, Ireland, and even Japan. We will show you how different cultures transform Christmas into a true spectacle of colors, lights, and food.
Ireland
Nowadays, many people in Ireland celebrate the holidays in almost the same way as people in the UK and the USA. But they also have local customs and traditions that deserve attention.
For Catholics in the country, the holiday season starts on Christmas Eve and lasts until January 6th – Epiphany. The Irish call it: "Little Christmas," because it marks the end of the holiday rituals and is the time when they take down all the decorations.
But between these two dates, the country comes alive with distinctive customs, starting on December 8th, when the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated. On this day, many households decorate their Christmas trees, hang wreaths on doors, and arrange traditional Irish Christmas ornaments. In the past, this was one of the busiest shopping days in the country. People from small towns and villages would travel to Dublin, Cork, or Limerick to buy gifts, decorations, and special products for the holiday table.
One of the oldest customs is placing a large wax candle on the window after sunset on Christmas Eve. It is left to burn throughout the night as a symbol of an "open house" for the Holy Family – Mary and Joseph – and as a sign of hospitality. In the past, the candle was lit only by the youngest daughter in the family.
In Irish (or Gaelic), Christmas is "Nollaig," Santa Claus is known as "San Nioclás" (Saint Nicholas) or "Daidí na Nollag" (Father Christmas), and "Merry Christmas" is "Nollaig Shona Dhuit."
Children hope that Santa Claus will visit them on Christmas Eve and leave gifts. An interesting fact is that every year before Christmas, the Irish Parliament officially announces that it has given permission for Santa Claus to enter Irish airspace on December 24th and 25th!
Japan
We can say that in the Land of the Rising Sun, Christmas is more of a secular holiday. It has only been widely celebrated in the last few decades and is still not considered a religious event, as there are not many Christians in Japan.
Most of the more widespread customs have come from the USA or Europe, such as sending and receiving Christmas cards.
The holiday season is more recognized as a time to share happiness, and Christmas Eve is often celebrated more than Christmas Day. The reason is that people see it as a romantic day when couples spend time together and exchange gifts.
In many ways, it resembles the celebrations of Valentine's Day in the UK and the USA. Young couples love to walk around, look at the Christmas lights, and dine together at a restaurant. However, booking a table can be very difficult, as this is one of the most popular traditions.
And as surprising as it may sound, one of the most popular "traditional" dishes is KFC – so much so that people make reservations weeks in advance.
Poland
Poland is one of the countries with the most deeply rooted and preserved Christmas traditions in Europe. For the Poles, Christmas is not just a holiday, but a sacred period filled with silence, reflection, spirituality, and family unity.
At the center of the holiday period stands Christmas Eve – Wigilia, considered the most solemn and holy night. The Polish believe that the way Christmas Eve is celebrated will determine the entire next year. That is why everything is done with care and respect.
Before the dinner, everyone breaks the "opłatek" – a thin unleavened wafer resembling a communion wafer. Family members exchange pieces with each other, expressing wishes for health, peace, and prosperity. This is the most emotional and cherished tradition, and no Wigilia begins without it.
Another interesting tradition is the "rorat" mass (Roraty) – a special liturgy that takes place throughout the Advent period at dawn. It begins before sunrise, when it is still dark outside. Therefore, people arrive at the churches carrying lit candles or lanterns. This creates a quiet and mystical atmosphere where the light comes from the flames, symbolizing hope and expectation.
It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary receiving the good news from the angel Gabriel. That is why these liturgies emphasize humility, preparation for Christmas, and spiritual awakening.
What traditions do you find most interesting?
Share with us in the comments and don't forget to follow our blog, as soon we will share customs from other parts of the world.
