The holidays are celebrated differently around the world and of them, Christmas is one of the most well-celebrated - and not just in the US. While many holidays differ from country to country, Christmas is a staple during the year that many countries rejoice in and observe. The US has its own traditions surrounding the holiday season and many have been borrowed from other countries, such as fasting or creating festive holiday treats. However, there are many more traditions that are observed far outside of the Americas, some more unique than others.
Around the world, December and even January hold special meanings for many and, with them, certain customs. This is what Christmas looks like around the world with some of the most memorable dinner traditions from countries that have been doing the same thing for centuries.
Southern Italy: Feast Of The Seven Fishes
Surprisingly, this has become more of a tradition in the US than it is throughout the majority of Italy. Southern Italy still partakes in the Feast of the Seven Fishes, however, the rest of Italy celebrates a bit differently.
The Feast itself usually consists of seven dishes, with the number seven being symbolic due to it being the most recognized number in the Bible. Every dish is a seafood dish and can consist of anything from fried calamari to linguine with lobster sauce. Shrimp cocktail, baked cod, and octopus salad are commonly seen on the Christmas table, as well.
Poland: Wiglia, Or 12 Dishes
In Poland, Christmas is considered to be a day when the menu is meatless. Traditionally, the dinner is referred to as Wiglia, and it's only started when the first star is seen in the sky. Prior to that, however, the family traditionally breaks Christmas wafers together as they exchange well wishes for one another.
After this has happened, 12 dishes will be served which represent the 12 apostles. The menu consists of Poland's best dishes, including borscht, dumplings, herring, sauerkraut, stuffed cabbage, and pierogi. For dessert, gingerbread and poppyseed cake are popular ways to end a meal.
Japan: KFC For Dinner
Not every country has traditions that are rooted in centuries of customs and in Japan, there's one Christmas tradition, in particular, that only got its start in the '70s.
Ordering KFC for Christmas became popular when the chain introduced a party-sized bucket of fried chicken as a way to echo the traditional turkey dinner that's often had in the US, and it caught on. In fact, it became so popular that the chain had to start taking preorders for Christmas dinner up to two months in advance! '
France: Bûche de Noël
When it comes to elegance and deeply-rooted tradition surrounding Christmas, France is one country that has held its holiday spirit close to its heart. Christmas day and night are celebrated with both food and good company, the start of which is usually signaled with plates of foie gras and oysters.
For the main dish, the tradition in France is usually a pheasant, guinea fowl, or turkey stuffed with chestnuts. The savory dishes are followed by one beautiful and delicious dessert: The Bûche de Noël. In France, the cake is usually flavored with chestnuts and is decorated as a forest log, signifying the logs used to heat the hearth on Christmas night.
Germany: Weihnachtsgans, AKA The Christmas Goose
Germany's traditional Christmas goose is said to have two potential origins. The first is that it was simply an English custom that was brought to Germany, while the second talks of Medival times when Christians fasted from St. Martin's Day to Christmas Day.
When the fasting was over, it's said that a goose was the grand dinner. Of course, other traditional German foods such as red cabbage and spätzle are also served alongside it.
Australia: A festive BBQ
Australia has a unique take on Christmas that differs from the world due to its geographical location. Since Christmas actually happens during the country's summer months, Christmas has turned into a summer celebration.
This means that it's often celebrated outdoors and with dinners that include outdoor grilling and BBQing rather than formal, sit-down dinners full of roasted poultry and oven-baked side dishes. While it's not uncommon to find something like a ham at the center of the table, it's more common to find grilled seafood, such as shrimp, as well as mince pies and pudding. For dessert, a sweet treat called White Christmas is often made with rice-like breakfast cereal, coconut, and other dried fruits.