Global bites: A tour on how the world dines on Christmas

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Christmas Dinner: picture: pexels

As the festive season draws closer, it’s time to start planning your Christmas menu and think about how you want to adorn your table with dishes that reflect a beautiful blend of culture, tradition, and celebration.

Christmas may be a day for roast turkey and trimmings in one part of the world with views of snow falling as you look through the window, while in another, it’s a feast of tamales or seafood under sunny skies.

If you’ve ever wanted to try something different and experience Christmas differently by choosing a tradition from a different part of the world, explore some of the most delightful Christmas food traditions from across the globe.

A look at festive season food traditions around the world:

United Kingdom

In the UK, Christmas Day revolves around a grand and hearty feast. Roast turkey is the main centrepiece, accompanied by pigs in blankets, crispy roast potatoes, brussels sprouts, and rich gravy. Cranberry and bread sauces offer delicious snacks to pick from and a feeling of extra indulgence.

For dessert, a flaming Christmas pudding steals the show, often doused in brandy. The festive table is as much about flavour as it is about tradition.

Tip: Don’t forget to leave a mince pie and a sip of sherry for Father Christmas!

United States

While Thanksgiving sees Americans enjoying turkey, Christmas dinner offers variety. From honey-glazed ham to Mexican-inspired dishes, but depending on the region, tamales, roast goose with red cabbage, crawfish jambalaya, roast pork, or “seven fishes” seafood salad are also popular dishes. Desserts like pumpkin or pecan pie add sweetness to the season.

Join in on the festive fun: Many kids embrace the tradition of leaving milk and cookies for Santa, ensuring he stays energised during his busy night of gift deliveries.

Australia and New Zealand

Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere is a summer celebration. Barbecues on the beach, seafood feasts, and glazed hams are popular choices.

In New Zealand, a hāngī—a traditional Māori pit-cooked meal—might grace the table, featuring meats like lamb and sweet potatoes. Pavlova, topped with fresh fruit, is a shared favourite for dessert.

Fun twist: Australians often leave a cold beer for Santa to beat the summer heat!

Italy

In Italy, seafood takes centre stage on the Christmas dinner table. On Christmas Eve, many families celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a tradition of enjoying seven different seafood dishes.

This could include a hearty seafood linguine, a roasted fish dish, or a flavourful sea bass one-pot. Christmas Day brings a multi-course feast, often beginning with an antipasti platter before moving on to regional specialities. In northern Italy, you might find rich lasagne, while in Rome, delicate tortellini takes pride of place.

No Italian Christmas is complete without dessert. A classic panettone, studded with chocolate or raisins, is often the star, accompanied by treats like pandoro, panforte, and nougat.

And, of course, Italian families leave out a glass of wine and some tangerines for Father Christmas and Rudolph—a sweet nod to tradition!

Japan

Christmas in Japan might not be a traditional holiday, but it’s embraced with unique customs. Thanks to a clever marketing campaign in the 1970s, KFC has become a staple, with families enjoying fried chicken buckets as a Christmas treat.

Strawberry shortcake, a light sponge with cream and fresh strawberries, adds a festive and delicate sweetness to the celebration.

Sweden

The julbord (Christmas table) in Sweden is a delightful smorgasbord of pickled herring, meatballs, gravadlax, and Christmas ham. Celebrated on Christmas Eve, the feast pairs perfectly with glögg (mulled wine).

Swedish children leave out coffee for Santa, ensuring he stays awake through the night.

Mexico

Mexican Christmas Eve, known as Nochebuena, is marked by tamales, pozole, and bacalao (salt cod). Ponche Navideño, a warming fruit punch, accompanies the celebrations.

This festive period also includes Las Posadas, where families reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, often ending with shared meals and music.

Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, Christmas—known as Ganna—is celebrated on 7 January. A vibrant feast features doro wat (spicy chicken stew) served with injera (a sour flatbread).

Orthodox Christians observe a 43-day fast before the celebration, making the meal a highly anticipated event.

South Africa

Closer to home, South Africans embrace both traditional and international influences. From gammon with sticky orange glaze to roast lamb, trifle, and malva pudding, the festive table reflects a love of hearty and sweet dishes. Warm summer weather often inspires outdoor braais and lighter fare, adding a local flair to the holiday.

Germany

Germany’s Christmas dinner often features roast goose or duck with red cabbage and dumplings.

Sweet treats like stollen and lebkuchen (gingerbread) are popular, as are trips to the bustling Christmas markets. A cup of glühwein (mulled wine) completes the warm and cosy experience.