Though the basic tradition of Christmas is centred on the birth of Christ and the giving of gifts as a celebration thereof, Christmas traditions vary the world over.

Christmas Food
In most countries decadent food is served in celebration of Christ's birth. Quite often Christmas recipes include spices and alcohol. Many dishes and drinks are served piping hot due to many of the Christmas traditions originating from cold countries. In Germany tasty, spicy biscuits are baked and enjoyed well before Christmas day and in fact during the entire festive season. In England Christmas fruit cakes are baked in advance, sometimes as early as September, and the cakes are kept moist by constantly adding copious amounts of brandy to them. In both England and America gluttonous amounts of food are consumed and eaten at Christmas time. Common dishes include glazed ham, goose canadian goose parka, roast beef and roast turkey among others. Many countries also make special Christmas chocolates filled with nuts, alcohol and rich truffle centres.

Gift giving figures
Though the red suit of Santa Claus or Father Christmas is widespread in its recognition, some Christmas traditions earmark other days and figures for gift giving, sometimes in addition to the plump fellow that we all know and love. In both Holland and Germany the season features another gift giving figure called St Niklaus. He arrives and distributes on the eve of 5 December. Presents are usually exchanged or opened on the morning of 6 December. Many European countries also recognize Christkindl (the Christ child) as a gift giving figure.

Christmas Trees
Most cultures embrace the Christmas tree as a symbol of the season and the centre of the home, heart and family at this special time of year. Not all cultures buy Christmas trees though, in parts of America, Canada and Scandinavia it is traditional to cut your own tree and in more rural areas, even grow your own tree. The tradition of lights and colourful bulbs originate from candles which were first used to decorate trees by the German theologian Martin Luther.

The shiny balls are said to have originated from the apples which are said to have first been used in the middle Ages. Some cultures decorate the tree twelve days before Christmas, others on Christmas Eve and still others chose to do it on 1 December. One of the loveliest Christmas traditions that have emerged over the centuries is embracing the decorating of the tree as a family affair.

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