Season’s Greetings from BondPR International 2008-09

The BondPR team around the world would like to share with you
how we celebrate the holidays in our local cultures; globally a time
for giving time, kindness and gifts to our family, friends and those
less fortunate than ourselves.

See a small sampling below from: Australia, Austria, Belgium,

Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France,
Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kosova,
Middle East, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain,
Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Australia
Christmas means summer, schoolchildren get six weeks holiday and many professionals close their office from
Christmas Eve to Australia Day on January 26. Christmas Day is spent outdoors, swimming, surfing or fishing,
with seafood and cold meats hamper (picnic), though many still like a traditional roast dinner. Santa comes
down the chimney on the night of December 24 and eats a piece of cake left out for him. However, it is too hot
for the reindeer so he is pulled by six white boomers (kangaroos). The Christmas tree is decorated with candy
canes (chocolate would melt!). The presents under the tree are handed out on Christmas Day, December 25,
often by the family patriarch with a Santa hat and a tinnie (tin can of beer)! Happy Christmas!

Austria
Christmas-time begins in early December when you begin to see small wooden huts in the streets and squares
where people meet after work or shopping to have a special hot drink called Punsch. These huts, or Punsch-
Stand, are often accompanied by small wooden shops where you can buy little presents. Before the main
Christmas celebration on December 24th, the children often have a day with their aunt, uncle or some other
friend of the family, which gives the parents the chance to secretly decorate the Christmas tree. In the
evening we exchange presents and have a great dinner with family, relatives and/or friends. Frohe
Weihnachten und ein glückliches neues Jahr!

Belgium
In Belgium, Christmas is celebrated - and presents are opened – on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, during
which families usually gather around for a festive meal. Christmas is therefore really considered a family
occasion, and is symbolized by a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and little lights all around the house. The
largest tree can be found on the Grand Place in Brussels every year. For a lot of people, Christmas also still
has a religious connotation, and many people therefore have a little stable under the tree featuring the baby
Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the three Kings, and go to midnight Mass on Christmas' Eve. Zalig Kerstfeest and
Joyeux Noël!

Bulgaria
Bulgarians are orthodox and the whole family gathers around the table on Christmas Eve. The meal consists of
an odd number of Lenten dishes in compliance with the rules of fasting: traditional sarmi (stuffed wine or
cabbage leaves), beans, seasonal bread (pastry with a fortune in it), stuffed peppers, fruits and nuts. The
oldest man in the house sits at the head of the table and the family prays. After breaking the ritual bread, the
first piece is left for the Holy Mother, and the rest is given out to the members of the family according to their
age, starting with the oldest. Bulgarians don’t clean up the table when dinner is over, so that the deceased
can enjoy dinner too. The next morning (in the smaller villages) a group of young men (koledari) visit every
house. They bless the hosts of the houses and get presents from them – fruit, nuts, candies, small amounts of
money. Children find their presents under the Christmas tree in the morning. Vesela Koleda! Весела
Коледа!

Croatia
In many parts of Croatia, Christmas celebrations begin on St. Lucy's day, December 13th, when families plant
wheat seeds to grow by Christmas Eve. The green wheat shoots are then tied together with a ribbon, and
placed with a lit candle at the Christmas table, symbolizing life and fertility. The traditional ornament for
Christmas trees is dough baked in the shaped of a heart (Licitar heart), which are adorned with colorful designs
and short sayings or morals. Children usually receive presents from St. Nicholas on December 6th, St. Lucy on
the 13th, and Santa Claus (older people often say they are from Jesus) on Christmas day. The whole season’s
celebration, marked with numerous carols and appropriate feasts, lasts until the Epiphany, January 6th.
Sretan Božić!

Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic children get Christmas presents on the evening of December 24. Most of them wake up
that day early in the morning and impatiently wait for the evening. In the meantime, they pass the time by
decorating the Christmas tree or helping to bake typical Christmas sweets. One more thing: it is believed that
if a child does not eat for the whole day till the Christmas dinner, he or she will see "a golden pig" because of
hunger. There are not many children known for seeing that golden pig, but they all finally get their gold - in
the form of the wistfully-awaited Christmas presents. Veselé vánoce!

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Denmark
Christmas is a family event with a big dinner on December 24th (roasted duck followed by risalamande as
desert - a rice pudding with whipped cream, served with cherry sauce). Then the candles on the decorated
Christmas tree are lit up and we dance around the tree and sing Christmas carols. Either the presents are
under the Christmas tree or Julemanden (Father Christmas) turns up with a big sack full of presents (a family
member is generally mysteriously missing at this point). After the presents are distributed and opened, the
rest of the evening is spent talking and looking at the children playing with the presents. Glædelig Jul og
Godt Nytår!

Estonia
It’s traditional to be with families at Christmas (Jõulud). Estonians like to visit their families from the 24th to
the 26th of December and do not go out with friends as much or go out drinking in the bars. There is
Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, where the specialy is pork and pickled cabbage or blood sausage. There is
a Christmas tree in every home, a tradition that dates back to Russian times when Christmas was prohibited.
Presents are opened in the evening of the 24th or 25th when Santa Claus (Jõuluvana) visits. Our people are
not too religious, but during Christmas more people visit church.

France
Christmas-time starts in early December when you begin to see Christmas decorations in the streets, and ends
after Epiphany Day by mid-January. Christmas is now mostly a holiday for children. Most families buy and
decorate a Christmas tree; children use Advent calendars and prepare their Christmas wish list to Père Noël.
Children and adults open the presents brought by Père Noël on the evening of December 24 or morning of
December 25. People share meals with their families or friends. The traditional meal is turkey with chestnuts,
Bûche de Noël (a cake shaped like a log for the fireplace) and chocolates! People spend New Year's Eve - called
"Saint Sylvestre" - with friends and everybody kisses at midnight with a champagne toast. By early January,
everyone is enjoying the galette des Rois, a flaky almond cake that is only available at this time of year. The
lucky recipient of the piece of cake with the prize it in, called a "fève," is adorned with a paper crown. Joyeux
Noël et Bonnes Fêtes !

Germany
Christmas preparations begin on the eve of December 6th -Nikolaustag. Children put a shoe or a boot outside
their bedroom door, window or by the fireplace on the evening of December 5th, hoping to find it full of
sweets, biscuits, nuts and fruit the next morning. Germans hang up Advent wreaths of holly with four red
candles in the center, and light one candle each Sunday until Christmas Eve. Children count the days until
Christmas using an Advent calendar, opening a window a day to find a Christmas picture inside. Christkind -
the baby Jesus - comes on Christmas Eve, bringing the tree and all the presents. Frohe Weihnachten und
ein gesundes neues Jahr!

Greece
On Christmas Eve children travel from house to house offering good wishes and singing kalanda (Christmas
carols), often accompanied by small metal triangles and little clay drums. Afterwards, the children are given
sweets or coins in appreciation. The Christmas feast is the main attraction, when lamb and pork are roasted in
ovens and open spits, and on every table are loaves of christopsomo (Christ bread). This bread is usually made
in large sweet loaves of various shapes and the crusts are engraved and decorated in some way that reflects
the family's profession. While Christmas trees have become popular in Greece, the main symbol of the season
is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire suspended across the rim; from that hangs a sprig of basil
wrapped around a wooden cross. A small amount of water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh.
ΚΑΛΑ ΦΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ!

India
In India, because of British influence, Christmas & New Year greetings is quite acceptable, and since the
majority of the population understand and speak English, the greeting is done in a typical anglicized style. Both
the events are quite well accepted in India, and there is no typical greeting in local language. So, Happy
Christmas!

Ireland
In the olden days in Ireland the home would be cleaned from top to bottom to get it ready for festive
Christmas decorating. Holly was used to decorate the entire house and a single, lighted candle was placed in
the window on Christmas Eve to welcome the Holy Family looking for shelter. In more modern times it is
tradition to visit friends and relatives on Christmas Eve, do some last minute Christmas shopping, and go to
midnight mass. Christmas dinner consists of an amazing array of foods from turkey and spiced beef to brussel
sprouts, bread sauce and whiskey soaked pudding. Happy Christmas!

Israel
As the only country considered holy for both the Jewish and Christian people, Israelis celebrate both Christmas
and Hanukkah. The most outstanding symbol of Hanukkah is the lighting of the Hannukiah, a special
candlestick with nine branches, one light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night
together with a guarding light (aggregating to 44 candles). There are special foods such as latkes (potato
pancakes), songs and games and it s a great when the family and friends get together. As they both take
place around the same time a year, Christians decorate the Christmas tree with lots of lights, give gifts, and
spend time with family and friends. We wish for everyone to be filled with light from both the Hanukkiah and
the Christmas tree! HANUKKAH SAMEACH!

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Italy
Exchange of gifts in most parts of Italy takes place on Christmas Eve or Day, though in the north gifts are also
exchanged for Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy), a rich young Christian Martyr who is venerated as a saint by both
Catholic and Orthodox Christians. Her feast day is December 13, by the unreformed Julian calendar the longest
night of the year; with a name derived from lux, lucis “light”, she is the patron saint of those who are blind. On
January 6th, in Rome and other parts of Italy, children await a visit from la Befana (an old witch flying on a
broomstick) who brings gifts for the good and punishment for the bad, asking Jesus forgiveness for refusing
food and shelter to the three wise men. In Rome, cannons are fired from Castel St. Angelo on Christmas Eve
and a 24-hour fast ends with an elaborate Christmas feast as small presents are drawn from the Urn of Fate.
Throughout Italy many people celebrate with Christmas trees, stockings, and Santa Claus and his reindeer
delivering presents on Christmas Day. Buon Natale e felice Anno Nuovo!

Japan
As the main religion is Buddhism and Shinto (only 1% of Japanese are Christians), Christmas is more a
commercial event than a religious one, with lights and Christmas displays in houses and businesses. On Dec.
23rd , the Japanese Emperor’s birthday is celebrated and the 25th is not a national holiday. On Christmas Eve,
Japanese eat a special Christmas cake, purchased by the father on the way from work. Year-end presents,
Oseibo, are given to people who have done you a favour during the year, such as business colleagues, teachers,
etc. (these differ from Christmas presents, given to close family and friends). Year-end parties are common
(bonenkai, or forget-the-old-year parties) and result in public displays of intoxication throughout the season.
The bigger Japanese holiday season is New Years, when family and friends gather to celebrate together. メリー
クリスマス !

Kosova
Until the 1970s, teenagers and children used to line up, tallest to shortest in height, and go from home to
home to receive treats at Christmastime (walnuts, quinces, fruit, and cooked wheat). The tallest would lead the
line and would say 'cluck, cluck!', like a chicken, and those following would try to sound like baby chicks.
These traditions gradually disappeared in most areas toward the end of the 1980s due to the socialist
influence. Nowadays, a Christmas-like celebration takes place on New Year, with Christmas trees, a visit from
Shen Kolli (Saint Nicholas), and gift-giving in the celebration of the New Year.

Middle East
The start of Muslim calendar/year, Muharram, coincides with Prophet Muhammad's journey from Mecca to
Medina on the first of Muharram in 622AD. To signify this occasion, Awal Muharram, Muslims attend various
religious activities, spiritual singing, and religious meetings throughout the country. Eid ul-Adha celebrates
Abraham’s willingness to comply with the request of Allah to sacrifice a beloved son. At the last minute of this
sacrifice, Allah spares Abraham and allows him to sacrifice a goat (or lamb) instead. Eid ul-Adha celebrates the
faith and obedience of Abraham, and the mercy of Allah. Trusting in Allah, even when a request seems
impossible, ultimately shows the Muslim how faith leads one down an unexpected path, and asserts the will of
Allah as just and merciful. The occasion is celebrated with family and friends and a meal of rice and meat
dishes are enjoyed together. Happy Eid!

Netherlands
On December 6th children receive gifts and presents from St. Nicolaas, an old man with a long white beard
who sits on a horse. In some countries, St. Nicolaas has been replaced by Santa Claus due to some Dutch
colonists who lived in New Amsterdam (now New York). They carried a statue of pipe-smoking St. Nicolaas
with them during Christmas celebrations. In 1809 the American writer, Washington Irving, wrote about a
laughing, pipe-smoking Santa Claus who sat on a carriage and rode a firmament. This was the basis for the
popular poem in 1823, 'Twas the night before Christmas', about St. Nick on a sled pulled by eight flying
reindeer. Santa Claus was actually “born” in the Netherlands! Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een gelukkig
nieuwjaar!

Poland
Christmas in Poland is the most awaited holiday of the year. Every house has a specially-decorated Christmas
tree, and when the first star appears in the sky on Christmas Eve, families sit at the table for a traditional
Christmas Eve supper. There is always an additional table setting for an unexpected guest. Before supper
begins members of the family share the holy wafer, wishing each other all the best. Santa Claus, with his
white beard and red suit, visits on Christmas Eve and leaves his presents under the Christmas tree. At
midnight many people go to church to attend a special midnight mass. On December 25 most people stay at
home with their families and on the next day they pay and receive visits. Wesołych Świąt!

Portugal
Family and food are central to most Christmas celebrations, but in Portugal they really know how to combine
the two! Here, custom disctates that an extra place is set at the Christmas dinner table for deceased relatives.
In a symbolic gesture of remembrance nd recognition, they’re invited to dine once again with the family. Feliz
Natal!

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Romania
Christmas (Craciun) in Romania is a fiesta of lights, Santa Claus, Christmas trees, midnight masses, and
traditional recipes like the force-meal rolls in vine leaves, sausages and blood pudding. Christmas Carols
amplify the yuletide spirit whilst enticing the Romanians to dream of a more colorful future. Throughout the
Christmas season, children travel from house to house singing carols and reciting poetry and legends. They
make snowballs and snowmen, but mostly they like to wait for Santa Claus (Mos Craciun) to give them
presents. The adults decorate their houses, go shopping, bake cookies and cakes, send Christmas cards, and
decorate the Christmas tree. Craciun fericit!

Serbia
We begin the New Year holidays with Orthodox Christmas, so Christmas Eve is on January 6th. Families are
together on this night for the last day of the “fast”, which means they have a feast but don't eat food that
comes from animals (meat, milk, eggs, etc.). Christmas is a very religious holiday and most people go to
mass. Old traditions include the father of the family going to the forest to cut a young oak called the 'Badnjak'
(Christmas Eve tree) but today people just buy one. Under the table is some straw as a symbol of the manger
where Jesus was born. The first house visitor at Christmas, položajnik, is an especially honored guest because
he brings luck to the family. For Christmas dinner each family member gets a special kind of bread (česnica).
Whoever gets the piece with the coin hidden in it will be fortunate in the next year! Christmas is a unique day
for forgiveness, sharing family memories, and new beginnings in our life. Srećan Božić!

Spain
Christmas Eve is the day when families get together and have dinner together - usually seafood and fish.
Christmas Day is no more than a day for spiritual reflection for the religious and a holiday for the rest. The
Three Kings visit homes on the night of the 5th of January, leaving presents in a shoe for good children and a
lump of coal for naughty ones. The Christmas lottery draw known as El Gordo is held on the 22nd of
December, and everyone has at least one ticket, hoping their life might change for the better. Feliz Navidad!

Sweden
Christmas is the longest and biggest of the holiday of the year. The height of the celebration is Christmas Eve,
December 24th, followed by Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Christmas festivities involve numerous traditional
activities and celebrations, the most important of which are the Christmas tree, the delicious Christmas meal
and the visit of the enchanting tomte (the Christmas gnome). God jul!

Turkey
The majority of the population in Turkey is Muslim but we are a secular country and, even if we do not directly
celebrate Christmas, we share this custom with our Greek Orthodox and Armenian neighbors who are a
minority in Turkey. We have Christmas trees and we exchange gifts for the New Year and most families have
turkeys on their table for dinner. Islam as a religion recognizes all prophets of the monotheist
religions. Therefore, while we do not celebrate Christmas, we do celebrate New Year’s Eve and recognize Jesus
as one of our prophets. The birth place of St. Nicholas is in Turkey, near Antalya (Myra-Demre). Mutlu Yillar,
Yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun!

United Kingdom
Many homes, churches and public places will have a crib, a model of the stable where baby Jesus was born. On
the night before Christmas people go to Midnight Mass in churches to sing Christmas carols and welcome in the
birth of Jesus. Father Christmas, an older jolly man in a red suit with a white beard, comes to visit children on
the night of 24th of December, arriving on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. He comes down the chimney, puts
presents in a stocking (or rather large sock), usually at the end of the bed or under the decorated Christmas
tree. Children leave a mince pie and a drink for him and a carrot for his reindeer. Presents are then opened on
Christmas morning, which this may start very early for those with young children! Families get to get together
for Christmas dinner which usually includes a roasted turkey and a spicy Christmas pudding as well as party
hats and some will listen to the annual Christmas message on TV from our Queen. Happy Christmas!

United States
Christmas time has become an increasingly commercial affair, with storefront decorations now going up as
early as the beginning of November or even October, and “Black Friday”, the day after Thanksgiving, formally
launching the Christmas shopping season. Each family celebrates the holiday differently, but it generally
includes a combination of decorated Christmas trees and houses, carolling, celebrating mass, volunteering to
help the needy, a big dinner either on Christmas Eve or Day, children writing letters to Santa, and of course
opening presents. Hanukkah is also celebrated visibly with decorations and Jewish families light the menorah
for 8 nights, celebrating the miracle of lights. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

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Season’s Greetings from BondPR International 2008-09

BondPR International
Multi country campaigns made simple
+44 870 12 66 007 info@bondpr.com www.bondpr.com