Christmas is celebrated, every year, all around the world, but every culture marks the holiday in a different way. Whether people are celebrating the birth of Christ or gathering with their family to spend time with each other, the Christmas season is a special time for billions of people.

In the United States and Canada, which are primarily Christian countries, many people celebrate the season in honor of their religion. In the Christian faith, people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, whom they believe to be the son of God, on Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, many families attend candle-lit church services and cap off the night with a big feast or looking at Christmas lights. On Christmas Day, families gather around the Christmas tree and exchange gifts with one another to celebrate the holiday.

In Latin America, a predominantly Roman Catholic country, many celebrate Christmas by attending mass on midnight on Christmas Eve. Following the mass ceremony, some continue the evening by attending parades or watching fireworks. A famous parade which takes place in Mexico, the posadas, is a nine-day celebration that reenacts the trip Mary and Joseph embarked on in search of lodging to give birth to Jesus Christ. To honor this tradition, many families travel from house to house and sing carols in seek of shelter, just like Mary and Joseph did, and sing to strangers until they find a house that will let them inside. Once invited inside, people tend to celebrate with piñatas, fireworks, and a meal.

In Europe, the primary religion is also Christianity, but the traditions and religious beliefs vary greatly from country to country. In the United Kingdom, celebrations are similar to that of the United States, many families mark the holiday through the exchange of gifts, the traditional Christmas dinner, which usually involves roast potatoes and turkey, and Christmas pudding. In Germany, the celebration of the Christmas holiday takes form in many different ways. For example, many families hang advent calendars, light advent wreaths, and attend or participate in Christmas markets.

In the Philippines, also a primarily Catholic country, most people celebrate Christmas through a series of masses known as the Misa de Gallo, which begin on December 16th and end on Christmas Eve. After each of the masses, many people celebrate with a big feast. Once the masses are complete on Christmas Eve, the following day people gather to share a meal and exchange gifts with their loved ones. As a part of their Christmas decorations, many Filipino families put up parols, which are star-shaped lanterns, in their homes.

In India, the primary religion practiced is Hinduism, so, Christmas is not a major holiday that is usually celebrated. However, many people in India still celebrate the holiday season without the religious associations. Those that choose to celebrate usually echo similar practices in Christian countries, such as singing carols, exchanging gifts, and eating together.

In China, with the largest Buddhist population in the world, Christmas is not a major holiday, but it has become more popular in recent years. Many Chinese citizens choose to celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday, and tend to participate in the popularized traditions such as decorating trees, wrapping and giving presents, and eating meals with family or friends. That being said, in China, Christmas is not a publicly celebrated holiday and most businesses remain open on Christmas day. In recent years, Christmas merchandise has become more commercialized and present within departments stores, malls, and more.

As is evident in this article, Christmas is celebrated in a wide variety of ways all over the world. Whether as a Christian holiday or a secular celebration, billions of people purchase Christmas merchandise and enjoy the holiday with their loved ones. While only a small number of countries were covered in this article, it is clear how important the holiday season is for people all around the world. Whether you choose to attend a mass service, drink hot coco with your family, or drive by Christmas lights, we hope you have a wonderful Christmas holiday with those that matter most to you!