Christmas celebrations around the world

There are many traditions associated with Christmas, many with no religious significance, and Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, has to be the favourite tradition among children, with families each having their own family traditions concerning where Santa leaves his presents and at which time they get opened.

Santa is a common tradition across the world, but there are many variations concerning his appearance and the part he plays in the Christmas festival. For example, in Hawaii, Christmas begins with the arrival of the Christmas Tree Ship, which not only brings lots of special Christmas fare, but Santa himself, while in California, Santa sweeps in on his surfboard.

When it comes to Santa’s special treats, in Norway and Sweden Santa gets rice porridge, while in Ireland it’s popular to leave a Guinness with Santa’s mince pie