The reason some countries celebrate Christmas today, December 24
The reason some countries celebrate Christmas today, December 24
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While most across the UK will be busy tracking Santa today, ready to wake up on December 25 to begin the celebrations and dive into presents, others will have beat them to it. And although it may seem unusual to us Brits, it’s actually traditional for a number of countries to celebrate on Christmas Eve. In most parts of Eastern Europe and Scandinavia for example, presents are traditionally exchanged on the evening of December 24.
![[A family toast and celebrate at Christmas dinner.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/PRI_201510039.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
There are all sorts of traditions from around the world which we haven’t adopted over here too, like having a KFC dinner – a favourite in Japan. Here’s everything you need to know about the countries celebrating Christmas on December 24 and why they do it.
![[Young girl lit candle in the church on christmas day]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GettyImages-912748002.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Many European and Latin American countries exchange presents and begin their celebrations on the 24th. Countries that observe this tradition include the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil – but this is not an exhaustive list.
In Germany, they call it Heiligabend Bescherung – and it’s why even the British Royal Family exchange their gifts on Christmas Eve, as Prince Harry wrote about in his memoir, Spare. It’s reported that, due to the royals’ German heritage, they have kept this tradition for over 200 years.
