Christmas Decorating Ideas & Traditions Around the World

As an international catalog, Frontgate serves many different international customers. In catering to different nationalities, we've had a first row seat as to which customs are celebrated, which Christmas trees and ornaments are most beloved, and which Christmas decorations are used in which environment.

Below, we've put together a collection of our favorite international holiday traditions and Christmas decorating ideas. In this article you will learn how various countries celebrate the holidays, and perhaps you will be inspired to incorporate some of their traditions into your own holiday celebrations.

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Brazil

While Brazil is home to a variety of different ethnicities, many Christmas decorating ideas and customs are based on the country's strong Portuguese heritage. Figures and drawings of Papai Noel, their name for Father Christmas, decorate Brazilian homes.

Other traditional Brazilian Christmas decorating ideas include fresh flowers gathered in a festive floral arrangement or vibrant colors used instead of American reds and greens.

Catholic Brazilians often display a nativity scene, or Presepio, in their living rooms, and may attend Midnight Mass or Missa do Galo. For dinner, the typical Brazilian family will dine on turkey and ham, plus a wide variety of fresh fruit.

Finland

Because of Finland's proximity to the North Pole, many believe Father Christmas resides in the northern area called Korvatunturi. Fins prepare their homes for his arrival by making them spotless during the three holy days of Christmas - Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Christmas decorating ideas often center on a spruce tree, filled with Christmas tree ornaments.

France

The French refer to Christmas as "Noel", and they decorate their homes with Christmas trees. Traditional Christmas decorating ideas include stringing red ribbons on the Christmas tree and adding real wax candles to celebrate the holiday.

Children wait for Pere Noel, or Father Christmas, to come and bring them presents. The adults, meanwhile, celebrate with elaborate dinners filled with good meat and their favorite wine.

Germany

If there's one nationality that is overflowing with Christmas decorating ideas, it's the Germans. Traditional German Christmas decorating includes drawing designs that are placed in windows, and lit with candles from behind. German homes also feature an "Adventskranz", or Advent wreath, that is a wreath of leaves with four candles celebrating the 4-week period before Christmas.

Nativity scenes are also popular Christmas decor, as are every Christmas tree ornament of varing styles, colors, and designs.

Hungary

Children in Hungary eagerly await the arrival of Mikulas, the Hungarian Santa Claus, by placing their shoes outside the door or window for him to fill with treats and toys.

Christmas tree ornaments often include edible delights, such as chocolates wrapped in gold foil, candles, and glass Christmas ornaments. The family celebrates the holiday with a dinner of fish, accompanied by rice or potatoes.

Mexico

Say 'Feliz Navidad!' to celebrate a Mexican Christmas. Christmas decorating ideas in Mexico feature the traditional pinata, paper mache sculptures filled with candy and coins. The piñata is then hung from the rafters or a tree, and children take turns hitting it until the pinata breaks and the treats fall out.

The traditional Christmas flower, the poinsettia, was brought to Mexico in 1828 by the American minister Joel R. Poinsett, whose name inspired the flower's name. The lovely red-and-green flower so encompassed Christmas decor, that it soon became tradition to display such a flower in your home during the holidays.

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