Canadian Christmas and its traditions

Canadian Christmas and its traditions could not find a more appropriate natural setting. If you imagine a typical place to celebrate these holidays, none better than the extensive snowy landscapes of the North American country where the sleighs of Papai Noel.

On the other hand, Canadian Christmas, as it happens in other nations, is a compendium of customs common to the entire Christian world and other autochthonous that, perhaps, will attract your attention. We are going to focus on the latter to tell you about Canadian Christmas and its traditions.

Canadian Christmas and its traditions: around December 25

To begin, we are going to focus on the dates before Christmas day and also in the latter to later tell you about the customs around the New Year.

Saint catherine

A first curious fact is that Canadians formerly celebrated Christmas on November 25, Saint catherine. As this was the patron saint of single women, a peculiar ceremony also took place: the women disputed one of the single men in the room where they were.

White Christmas tree decorated in red colors

A few days before December 25, Canadians decorate their cities and houses with Christmas decorations of all kinds. They also put up their Christmas trees and fill them with balls and garlands. However, in some areas of the country there is a tradition that the tree is white and its ornaments red because the latter is the color of Santa Claus.

A Christmas tree

Christmas tree

Some peculiar Christmas carols: the Mummers

These too are a tradition common to the whole world. However, in certain cities of the country they have their peculiarities. Thus, in New Scotland are interpreted Christmas songs over two centuries old brought from Great Britain.

Meanwhile, in Newfoundland there are groups of masked men known as Mummers o belsnicklers who go through the neighborhoods of their cities ringing bells for their neighbors to give them gifts or sweets. Regarding the latter, the taffy pull, a kind of candy that stretches.

sink tuck

Sink Tuck has a very different character from the above. It's about a winter festival held in various Canadian locations to commemorate the eskimo traditions and also, precisely, the arrival of winter.

The Christmas Eve menu

There is nothing unusual about Canadian families coming together for dinner on Christmas Eve, as it is something that is done all over the world. What is different is the menu that they usually prepare.

The dish par excellence is baked stuffed turkey. It is, therefore, similar to what they do in the United States. But inside it Canadians put other products. For example, seafood in the Nova Scotia area or chopped pork hands in the one in Quebec. And in all cases it is accompanied with a garnish of mashed potatoes and with cranberry sauce.

They also usually prepare meatballs, some small meatballs, and for dessert you don't eat as much nougat as in Spain. Canadian Christmas sweets are a mince pie, plum pudding, chocolate muffins, cocoa cookies or the butter cake.

Christmas desserts

Canadian Christmas Desserts

They also prepare a kind of roscon that, as in our country, carries a surprise inside. In his case, it is a bean and whoever finds it is crowned king or queen. As for drinks, alcoholic ones also abound. But it is tradition to prepare a eggnog with milk and liquor.

'The Nutcracker', a fixture in Canadian Christmas and its traditions

Another peculiarity of Canada on Christmas dates is the representation of 'The Nutcracker'. All the cities of the country take it to the stage in the days next to December 25. The famous ballet with music by Tchaikovsky and libretto based on a work by Alexandre Dumas It's an explosion of fantasy, fairies and harlequins that Canadians love and fits in well with the Christmas season.

The Santa Claus Parades

On Christmas Eve, all Canadian cities celebrate colorful parades with Santa Claus as the protagonist, as is done in half the world. Different is what happens in our land where those who parade for children are the Three Wise Men.

In Canada, the route that the good-natured Nordic gift makes through the cities dazzles children. Really spectacular are those organized in Vancouver and, above all, in Toronto, where the tradition was inaugurated in 1913.

Canadian Christmas and its traditions: the New Year

Also the inhabitants of the North American country gather to the waiting for the chimes to celebrate the arrival of the new year. And just like in Europe they organize parties and throw Fireworks.

These are precisely one of the characteristic features of the Canadian New Year because they are truly spectacular in some cities. Worth seeing are those of niagara falls, with the reflection of the fires in the water. In this imposing place, a batch is launched at nine at night and another at twelve.

Santa claus parade

Santa Claus Parade in Montreal

The toronto fires, with people gathered in Nathan Phillips Square, and those from Vancouver, in which citizens gather in Robson Square, while the youngest gather in Stanley Park.

And, when they return home, they have the habit of first foot, consisting in that the first to enter the house must be a young man with dark hair. According to the Scots, from whom this habit comes, it provides good luck for the whole year.

On the other hand, in rural areas some traditions inherited from the eskimos. For example, in those of Quebec friends get together to ice fishing and drink until the morning of January XNUMX.

Finally, as in other icy places in the world, many Canadians take a purifying bath in the icy waters of lakes and rivers. It has already become a tradition that is known as polar bear swim or polar bear swimming.

In conclusion, Canadian Christmas and its traditions are not very different from ours. However, as you have seen, they also have certain peculiarities and own customs. Aren't some of them really curious?


15 comments, leave yours

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  1.   mary said

    Hi well, it is very cool to know about Canadian culture. my dream is to know canada.

  2.   irmarosa said

    my dream is to know Canada and its cities I have my daughter and her husband and children living there they tell me that I am precious at any time God make that dream come true

  3.   Yessy said

    If it looks very beautiful, I am going to Canada, my dad lives there and it will only take me 3 months to be in that beautiful place !!!

  4.   from Carmen said

    smacked

  5.   jessica said

    I also love the naviada in Canada !!!
    I love Justin Bieber so well !!! he's great !!! (LL

  6.   myrian said

    Yes, well, I want to be in that place, spend a Canadian Christmas, thank you

  7.   jfhgrgh said

    It is fatal

  8.   SYH said

    IT'S VERY GOOD, THANKS: D

  9.   Javi said

    Very interesting

  10.   Brenda. said

    I find it lovely to be able to learn something about Canadian culture through a page that handles the Latin language, and I also really enjoy the beautiful landscapes that make up such a beautiful territory. Thank you.

  11.   nicole said

    The page is good but I want to know if anyone of you knows when is Canadian Christmas k day and k month k I don't want to go out, someone please tell me, pliss

  12.   zahara lopez said

    like if you are here for a class work children of optimal mamaa

  13.   daddy19 said

    cease this good this page

  14.   Mery said

    It is worth explaining, I live in Spain and I am a Believer I love Justin Bieber and well I knew he was Canadian obviously but until recently when we studied the continents he had not given much importance to that because what were the chances of finding him jaajjajaja well the case I have always liked it, I have loved Christmas and I adore the snow, here in Spain it hardly ever snows and I am passionate about the cold and little by little I became more interested in Canada and now I would love to travel to visit it. Super nice and warm and familiar place I don't know how to describe it, it's beautiful, just my second dream is to go to Canada one day, the first is obviously to meet biebs, but if it were in Canada, it would be great grax wapos and wapas bsss

  15.   nacho said

    it's fine but it's worth nothing