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Cultural Traditions
Celebrating Christmas Around the World
By Katherine Bontrager
Halfway around the world in Brazil, Santa Claus is called Papai Noel, and depending on the family, gifts are exchanged on December 24 or 25. "Some people like to have people over for dinner on the 24th," says Brazil native Patricia Kowsmann. "In Brazil we eat at midnight because then it's technically Christmas Day. People come over early, like at 7 p.m., and we eat and drink, though it's less formal than it is here. Then the next morning you exchange gifts, and then you have a big lunch."
Depending on the family, you can find dishes that are specific to a family's heritage – anything from pasta to sushi can be found on crowded tables. "There is none of that yellow stuff," says Kowsmann, referring to eggnog. There are, however, a variety of salads served due to the heat.
"Some people like to watch the Pope's TV Christmas blessing in Rome, but mostly we just like to listen to music, talk, kind of like a New Year's party," she says.
Although not as obsessed with Christmas decorations as Americans, Kowsmann says Brazilians do always have Christmas trees. Stores are closed on Christmas Day, and people stay close to home, enjoying the revelry of fun and food.
December 6 is known as St. Nikolaus' Day, where the elderly saint visits children's shoes. Children must clean their shoes and put them outside the door – but only perfectly clean shoes, for only the cleanest shoes receive Nikolaus' gifts: oranges, nuts and chocolate.
And there is a catch – Nikolaus comes equipped with a "rute" or rod, says Roos, to punish children who have been bad during the year. "I remember being scared he might use it," she says.
Despite the fear of punishment, Roos says it is one holiday she will miss, as it is a huge celebration in the region.
On Christmas Eve, Christkind, or Weihnachtsmann, delivers gifts to children in the more traditional sense of Christmas as we know it.
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