Many people in Canada have to work on Christmas Eve, but it is also a day of preparation for the holidays. Some people buy last minute gifts for family members and friends.
And a traditional Christmas meal often consists of roast turkey or chicken with pumpkin, turnips, potatoes, and cranberry sauce as a main dish and patties or plum pudding for dessert. However, people can eat dishes as diverse as clam chowder, spiced chicken wings, or traditional foods from the wide variety of cultures represented in present-day Canada.
Many families put up their Christmas tree and other Christmas decorations. However, some do it in early December and you only have to save a few special decorations, perhaps representing the Nativity, to put on display on December 24th.
People who regularly attend church can go to a religious service on the night of December 24, known as the midnight mass.
Traditionally, this service started at midnight on December 24th turned into December 25th, but now it often starts early in the evening. In Quebec the traditional meal after this service is a meatloaf, potatoes and onions known as tourtire.
Some families, especially in Quebec, exchange gifts on the night of Christmas Eve. However, many others, especially those with young children, at the end of the day by hanging up socks or large stockings in the form of sacks known as Christmas stockings.
It should be noted that December 24 is not a public holiday in Canada and general post offices, shops and other businesses are open. However, it can be closed earlier than usual to allow employees time to travel to the homes of family members.
Public transport services run normally as usual in the morning and early afternoon, but may offer reduced or almost full service in the afternoon or evening. There can be congestion on the roads and airports and other public transportation hubs can be very busy, as people travel to visit friends or family.
And among the traditional Canadian Christmas decorations include natural objects such as fresh or dried blueberries or other berries, locally salvaged walnuts or pine cones, the feathers and branches of the shrubs grown in the evergreen and trees.
In modern cities there are Christmas decorations that may be similar to those in other countries, such as nativity scenes, evergreens, Santa Claus, snowflakes, bells and stars. However, you can also use representations of Canadian symbols, such as the red maple leaf found on the Canadian flag, the Canadian goose, the loon (a small water bird) or a Mountie (a Royal Canadian Mounted agent). of the Police) with the traditional red uniform.