Christmas Eve Traditions and Customs

Such a significance of Christmas Eve stems from the fact that the day starts at sunset in the Catholic church.

So, an important part of Catholics around the globe celebrate Jesus’ birth earlier than we’re used to, attending Midnight Masses and listening to religious choirs.

Of course, Christmas Eve traditions aren’t limited to attending church. In Europe, people commonly gather for Christmas Eve feasts. Each country has its unique name and menu for the main holiday supper.

Here in the US, people typically exchange gifts on December 25, but in Europe, it’s generally considered a Christmas Eve custom.

Santa Claus doesn’t always bring gifts – perhaps, he’s too busy riding his sleigh to get to the US before sunrise and thus is replaced with Tomte or Christkindl.

Christmas Eve customs of some regions have, in fact, little to do with Christianity. For instance, people in the Baltic states are dedicated to their pagan ancestry.

In Japan, in turn, Christmas is viewed as a solely commercial holiday and involves eating KFC and strawberry shortcake.

Catholic Church

For many Catholics, Christmas celebrations start on December 24, and the first mass of the day happens at midnight.

Catholics all over the world attend the Midnight Mass, the first liturgy of Christmastide, to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The tradition of Midnight Mass stems from the fourth century. At first, it was only observed in the East, but by the fifth century, the custom as spread to the west under Pope Sixtus III.

Only by the 12th century has the tradition of attending a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve become widely observed.

Depending on the region, the practices observed during the mass vary. For example, some churches hold choir performances; others set up Nativity Scenes or practice candle services.

In the 21st century, many churches have moved the start of the Midnight Mass to an earlier time, about 6-7 pm, to better suit young children.

Orthodox Church

Eastern Christianity follows the Gregorian calendar, so Christmas is celebrated on January 7 and Christmas Eve on January 6.

Christmas Eve traditions in Orthodox Church are different from those in the Catholic Church. For example, it’s the last and the strictest day of a 40-day long Nativity Fast.

People don’t eat anything at all unless they are physically incapable of following the custom.

Orthodox Christians start the Christmas feast only after the first star appears in the night sky, commemorating the Star of Bethlehem.

The celebrations start earlier in Eastern Christianity than in Western Christianity. Instead of waiting until midnight, Orthodox Christians attend church during the Royal Hours.

This is an aggregate of five church services, with the first service starting at 9 am and the last one at 3 pm. So, many Orthodox Christians spend the entire Christmas Eve at church and only go home in the evening.

Royal Hours have received such a name as the Emperor always attended them. His attendance served as an acknowledgment of Christ’s power as the true King of the Kings.

USA

Christmas Eve is an official public holiday only in ten American states, so many people have to work until the evening. Still, the holiday spirit can already be sensed in the air, and many people start celebrating early.

Many US residents prefer to decorate their Christmas Trees only on Christmas Eve, though some do this after Thanksgiving.

Families with children hang stockings on the fireplace or their bed. Milk and cookies are often left as a treat for Santa, who tends to bring gifts during the night.

Americans rarely exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. However, some American kids get to open one present before they go to sleep. Then, following a British tradition, some kids go caroling.

Many US residents start celebrating by watching Christmas movies, such as The Grinch Who Stole Christmas or Home Alone, shopping, or ice-skating.

Often, public places such as shopping malls or theatres host special activities and performances.

As Christmas Eve is the last day at work before long holidays for many Americans, many participate in the Secret Santa tradition.

If you’re unfamiliar with it, you’re missing out, as it’s the perfect way to unite coworkers. Each person makes a surprise gift for one randomly chosen colleague, and the receiver should guess who his Santa was.

United Kingdom

British Christmas Eve traditions are often similar to American, and that’s no wonder, as many of our customs were brought from British Islands during colonial times.

Just like here in the US, in the UK, kids go caroling and hang gift stockings on the fireplace the day before Christmas.

Sometimes, Christingle services are held on Christmas Eve, though they are usually associated with the four Sundays of Advent.

These services are typically focused on gathering funds for children and are supported by The Children’s Society, one of the UK’s most prominent charitable organizations.

In many British churches, particularly in the Church of Scotland, the Christ Candle is lit in the center of the Advent wreath. It’s the fifth Advent candle that is traditionally white and represents Jesus himself.

British Protestants traditionally exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, while British Catholics leave it for Christmas Day. Protestants also believe that gifts are brought by Christkindl, an angel-like child, rather than Santa.

Western Europe

In numerous regions of Western Europe, Christmas Eve is the time of gift-giving and feasts. But the traditional meals vary.

In the Czech Republic, Christmas Eve meal consists of primarily meatless food.

This custom dates back to medieval times when people believed that one who lasted without meat until Christmas Day would see a golden pig, a Czech symbol of luck.

French Christmas Eve dinner is called Reveillon. Its name originates from the French word “réveil,” which translates as “waking” because it’s meant to last until morning.

Unlike Czechs, the French don’t have rules regarding food. They tend to serve the most luxurious meals, such as lobster, escargots, and foie gras.

In some parts of Italy, Christmas Eve dinner is called the Feast of the Seven Fishes, during which people consume a wide variety of seafood.

Fish is one of the oldest symbols in Christianity, serving as a reference to Christ and the Holy Trinity.

Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe is a home for many Orthodox Christians, who fast the entire Christmas Eve. But Catholics, who still make up a large percent of the population, often start celebrations on December 24.

In Lithuania, many observe traditions that stem from pagan times, telling fortunes and placing an empty plate on the table to commemorate dead relatives.

Lithuanian Christmas Eve feast is called Kūčios, and it’s so important that family members gather even from great distances.

In neighboring Lithuania Latvia, people also tend to preserve ancient traditions. During pagan times in Latvia, December 24 was celebrated as the rebirth of the Sun maiden.

Even the Latvian name for Christmas, “Ziemassvetki,” has nothing to do with Christianity. It literally translates as “winter holidays.”

To commemorate this custom, people decorate their homes with straw ornaments called “puzurs,” which hang from the ceiling and rotate on their own.

Latvians also feast and exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, just like Americans do on Christmas Day.

In Poland, people exchange gifts and participate in a traditional vigil supper called Wigilia.

Often, people put some hay under the tablecloth to symbolize Jesus’ manger. The feast typically consists of 12 meals to commemorate the Twelve Apostles.

In Russia, where over 70% of the population are Orthodox, the vigil supper starts only after attending the Midnight Mass or after the first star appears in the sky. Like in Poland, the feast often consists of 12 meals.

Scandinavia

Scandinavians tend to celebrate Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day, holding traditional dinners and exchanging gifts.

So, Swedish Christmas Eve dinner is called Julafton and involves a buffet that always contains multiple kinds of herring, ham, and saffron buns.

Gifts are brought by someone dressed as Tomte. In Norse folklore, Tomte is a gnome living in the forest.

In Denmark, Christmas celebrations officially begin on December 23, but the holiday feast is typically held on December 24.

It kicks off with grod, a traditional cinnamon rice pudding. Danish children don’t believe in Tomte but instead in Julemanden, the local equivalent of Santa. He also prefers to bring gifts on Christmas Eve.

In Norway, churches ring their bells at 5 pm, indicating the feast can begin.

Restaurants and public activities are usually closed, so all people gather at homes to enjoy lutefisk (a cod dish), rice pudding, and mulled wine.

Finnish people also share Swedish love for buffet dinners, but attending a sauna is one notable Christmas Eve tradition. Often, they jump into the ice-cold water right from the heat of the sauna.

Asia

Christmas may not be as widely celebrated in Asia as it is in the US or Europe, but it’s still a significant holiday in some regions.

For example, in South Korea, Christmas Eve is an official public holiday. Koreans exchange gifts, usually money, and enjoy Christmas sponge cake topped with heavy cream and fruits.

In Japan, Christmas isn’t a public holiday. Furthermore, it’s merely a commercial event rather than religious or cultural.

The Japanese eat KFC chicken and strawberry shortcake on Christmas Eve. As for activities, they typically prefer shopping and watching Christmas movies.

The Philippines is one of a few Asian countries with a prevalent Christian population. For this reason, Philippians stay up all night until Christmas and attend the Midnight Mass, just like many Europeans.