The Christmas run in around the world
As the big day draws near, we in the UK and much of the world, get ready for 25th December, Christmas Day. In the UK we tend to have a big build up and probably it’s the one main holiday where much of the UK stops, with the exception of retail and essential services. Last presents and for many a dash around the shops on Christmas eve on the 24th, followed by the big day and then Boxing Day on the 26th, and then soon by New Years Eve and New years day, with the return to work for all on or close to the 2nd of January.
Practically its often two weeks off work. But while the UK is shut, often in Europe the end of most financial years is end December, so organisations are busy finishing of their year with 31st December being a last-minute rush to close off activities. In many European countries, Christmas eve is the big event with presents and big meal and people returning to working life. In many Mediterranean countries, the next big holiday is the 6th January, Epiphany often a day with presents.
Then of course there is USA, where arguably the thanksgiving holiday in late November is a bigger deal than Christmas.
In the southern hemisphere, end of December is in the middle of the Austral summer and very personally my son is in New Zealand so celebrating a ‘summer’ Christmas. I am looking forward to pictures of how they celebrate Christmas in their best weather of the year.
In summary there are many variations by country, but across the depths of ‘winter’, there is time for family, friends, rest and gifts.
Asia is different again of course, there may be more westernised countries with perhaps some colonial influence or highly mixed nationalities, that have adopted the blended Nordic Santa Claus tradition combined with the history of St Nicolas the Greek 4th century monk along with the Christian birth and events centred around that. These would include Indonesia, Singapore, Korea and Vietnam. Even Japan has at least some Christmas trees and recent food traditions. Chicken is now popular instead of the rarely found Turkey, partly dating back to KFC promoting chicken as the ideal Christmas food back in the 1970’s. So how The 25th of December is marked really varies from country to country in Asia with some not even having a public holiday at all on that day.
It might be more accurate to say that, in countries like China and much of Asia, the lunar new year is big event and focus. Just like some of our holidays, for example Easter, which is moon phase related and therefore changing each year, so the Asian Lunar New Year changes date each year.
The Lunar new year in China is marked this coming year on January 29th 2025. In China it’s the end of the year of the Dragon and the start of the year of the Snake. The Snake is the sixth animal in the 12th year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. I will talk more of the lunar new year practically in a coming post.
Nonetheless, the commercial activities probably based on Coca Colas promotions in the 1930’s created an international brand of Santa Claus as many of us think of today.
You will see some promotions of theming in big cities in China, especially in Hotels and shopping districts and familiar symbols of Santa, Reindeer, Sleighs, Lights and so on are visible as you travel around on your visit.
This is especially interesting in warmer areas of China, like Hong Kong and Macao where late December temperatures of 20C are very pleasant and not like the northern Christmas at all. Here due to their more recent colonial history there is perhaps some additional emphasis around Christmas theming. Generally Christmas is not deeply celebrated in China, although of course some parents with very young children or maybe even young couples may take an opportunity to treat their loved ones.
Let me close this short post by wishing you a wonderful peaceful coming few weeks wherever you are in the world as you look forward to your celebrations, however you celebrate them.
Merry Christmas!