India – mango and banana trees decorated, Christmas – bada bin, poinsettia used to decorate, not a holiday as most of country Hindu so work and school as normal.

New Zealand – Christmas tree called Pohutukawa, barbeques, picnics in hot weather, 13 hours ahead, pavlovas as dessert

China – Christmas known as ‘Shang Dan Jiang, Holy Birth Festival, colourful trees and lanterns used to decorate houses and shops

Only recently that shops put up decorations as most Buddhists.

Brazil – children put out their shoes for Father Noel to put presents in. Papia Noel, red silk clothes, Christmas rice – rice and cinnamon

Norway – people put out a bowl of rice pudding out for barn elf, who lives in forests and plays tricks on those who do not look after him, Advent calendar, oranges with cloves, paper heart basket for sweets and nuts

Netherlands – children put carrots in their shoes for St. Nicholas (Sinterklaass), he leaves sweets and treats. Saint Nicholas’ Eve (5th Dec) traditional time of giving presents, he lives in Spain with a large red book, good and bad deeds

Germany – ‘Frohliche Weihnachten’ – Merry Christmas, St. Nicholas Day 6th Dec present giving, Christmas markets, Advent wreath ‘Adventskranz’ important

Finland – sauna on Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve more important, Christmas Peace announced at midday, Father Christmas Joulupukki, moblie made of straw - himmeli

Ireland – candles in windows on Christmas Eve to guide Mary and Joseph to shelter, ‘Nollag’ Christmas, Christmas Eve Laden table left with bread and milk and candle left for Mary and Joseph, door left unlocked.

Argentina – evergreen trees decorated with cotton balls for snow, ‘Feliz Navidad’, houses decorated with red and white garlands, Father Christmas placed on top of tree, pig or roast peacock for dinner, shoes under tree

Denmark – little people called pixies, bowls of porridge left in lofts, show on TV with 24 episodes, ‘Julemanden’ Father Christmas, Christmas Eve meal and opening presents, 25th go visiting family, pancakes and mulled wine, duck for dinner.

Italy – kind witch who brings gifts, La Befana, brings them on twelfth night, 5th Jan, leaves ash if naughty, searching for baby Jesus as she was too busy sweeping when 3 wise men asked her for help, Merry Christmas ‘Buon Natale’, fish only eaten on Christmas Eve.

Mexico – pinata, celebrate 9 days before Festival – La Posada Mary and Joseph’s journey processions in streets, poinsettia – poor girl picking weeds for Virgin Mary, angel turns them into brilliant red poinsettia, 3 wise men give presents on 6th January

Sweden – 13th December Festival of Lights , St Lucia Day, oldest girls in family dresses up, wreath of candle on head, boys star boys pointed hats, Father Christmas ‘Jultomten’, goats instead of reindeer, presents Christmas Eve

Poland – on Christmas Eve people look in the sky for the first star, Gwiazda, ‘Wigilia’ - Christmas Eve celebrations – meal, no meat, fish, traditionally 12 courses 12 disciples, leave a space at table for relative far away or died, all leave table together, Father Christmas ‘Swiety Mikolaj’ presents on 6th Dec and Christmas Eve.