Christmas. It is probably the most widely known holiday in the world, and at least one out of every three people celebrate it worldwide. With the holiday season right around the corner, this is about the time that everybody asks themselves: So what am I doing for Christmas this year? Recently, there have been a growing number of people who are looking to spice up their Christmas celebrations, whether it be making a tandoori turkey, or even just buying a couple of unique Christmas tree ornaments for the tree. If you are one of those people who are looking to add a twist to your Christmas, below I have for you a couple of international Christmas ideas! Read below for ideas on how incorporate Russian, British, French, and Venezuelan Christmas traditions into your holiday.

Russia

In Russia, Christmas is celebrated quite differently than how it is in the Western world. First off, Russian Christmas is celebrated on January 7th rather than on December 25th. There are many traditional practices that lead up to the actual celebration of Christmas for the Russians, including a 40 day fast (sound somewhat familiar?). In addition, Russian Christmas also holds the tradition of caroling and storytelling. One of the most famous of these Christmas stories is the story of babushka. That’s right, a babushka isn’t just a doll. You can read the full story (and then tell it to all your younger relatives on Christmas eve) here (scroll a little and you’ll find it).  

Great Britain

Many British Christmas traditions are the same or extremely similar to those that we celebrate in the United States. They sing the same carols, and eat similar foods (in England they eat goose instead of turkey for Christmas dinner). One of what I believe to be the most fun things about a traditional British Christmas is the Christmas cracker. No, I am not talking about a thin, dry, tasteless piece of bread. A Christmas cracker bears the resemblance of a tube, and when pulled from either end, it splits with a BANG and a prize, paper crown and often a little piece of paper with a joke or riddle fall out. Learn how to make your own crackers here. They make great decorations and are a creative way to entertain yourself.

France

The French people, like English speaking cultures, have many beautiful Christmas carols that they like to sing during the Christmas season. There’s nothing to help you get into the holiday spirit like a festive carol. The French even have their own version of “Jingle Bells”, called “Vive Le Vent.” Here is a YouTube video (with lyrics displayed) of the song. I’m sure both Madame Abensour and Madame Tibi would be very impressed if you learned it.

Venezuela

Venezuelan Christmas traditions are unique and special in their own way. For Venezuelans, Christmas is a celebration with fireworks and folk songs galore. Attending midnight mass is also a popular Christmas activity for many Venezuelan families. Like other cultures, Venezuela also has a traditional food that is eaten as part of the traditional dinner during the Christmas celebrations, or as it is known there, “Nochebuena”. Hallacas, the traditional Christmas food, are similar to tamales, except that they are wrapped in banana leaves and are filled with a mixture of meats, vegetables and other specialties. Here is a traditional recipe for hallacas if you wish to test out your cooking prowess this holiday season.

Wishing you the happiest of holidays however you choose to celebrate it!

Sources: http://www.oldenglishcrackers.com http://www.hispanickitchen.com http://www.whychristmas.com http://www.youtube.com http://images.ucomics.com/comics/ts/2011/ts111218.jpg  http://www.victorianamagazine.com/victorianstyle/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ChristmasCracker.jpg http://www.wpclipart.com/holiday/Christmas/bells/Christmas_bells/Christmas_bell_with_holly.png http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QTn9vCjdszw/Syt7FknMhgI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/uduCB2W–Lo/s320/foto-hallaca1-300×283.jpg