Happy holidays around the world
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB -- In the spirit of holiday cheer, the AF Security Assistance & Cooperation (AFSAC) Directorate explores holiday traditions of United States Air Force (USAF) International Partners around the world. A handful of country representatives shared local cultural stories below of how they celebrate holidays with friends and family in their respective countries.
Happy Holidays from Canada… Joyeuses Fêtes!
Dating back to World War II (WWII), the Canadian military has been enjoying their “Moose Milk” holiday tradition. The name of the drink is supported by an old saying, “Despite an innocuous appearance, Moose Milk is a bit like a real moose: if you don’t respect its strength, then you can expect to be knocked out.” It’s a rich cocktail revolving around the following core ingredients: liquor, cream, and egg yolks beaten with sugar and left drinkers feeling full, warm, and quite tipsy.
Moose Milk is still consumed today at military gatherings. The beverage often appears in rum- and whiskey-based iterations. Some add Kahlua or brewed coffee. Some replace sugar with maple syrup. Other variations feature condensed milk, vodka, and cinnamon. While historic recipes may call for raw egg yolks beaten with sugar to impart a sweet, creamy thickness, modern versions often use vanilla ice cream.
Happy Holidays from Brazil… Felices Vacaciones!
Christmas in Brazil looks much like that in Western Europe or America. This is because of Brazil’s Portuguese heritage. There are nativity scenes, family holiday dinners, and Christmas trees! However, some things look a little different because Brazil celebrates Christmas during their summertime. Most of the festivities takes place late at night on Christmas Eve, including dinner.
Brazilian Christmas tradition has their own unique twist on Santa Claus too. Children leave a sock near the window. If Papai Noel finds their socks, then he exchanges them for presents.
In Rio de Janiero, crowds gather around the world’s largest Christmas tree, which floats on the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. The tree weighs 542 tons and wrapped in 3.3 million light bulbs, which are lit every year during their spectacular Christmas fireworks show. Christmas traditions in Brazil like this one have a rich history. Plus, they are always vibrant and exciting, just like Brazilian culture.
Happy Holidays from Norway… God Ferie!
All in the Spirit of JUL!
JUL or jol is used to describe the Christmas holiday season in Scandinavia and parts of Scotland. Originally, JUL was the name of a month in the old Germanic calendar. The concept of JUL as a period of time instead of a specific event prevailed in Scandinavia. In modern times, JUL is both a period of time and a “day of” celebration. The period of time stretches from the days well before 24 December to mid-January with JUL (Christmas Day) and the week up to the New Year’s Holiday as its highlight. There’s often a chiming of church bells throughout the country in the afternoon of 24 December.
The term JUL is a cognate of the modern English terms yule and yuletide. The term is common throughout Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, Scotland and the Faroe Islands. A Norwegian language peculiarity is that the expression JUL can be put before, in the midst of, or even after a lot of words, and hence giving them a positive “Julestemning” or Christmas feeling.
From the original beginning on Juledag (Christmas Day), the custom of Julebord (Christmas parties for adults) has spread to the entire season and beyond, often beginning well in advance of førjulstid (Advent) starting December. The central event in Scandinavia is Julaften (Christmas Eve) when the Julemat (main Christmas meal) is served and julegaver (Christmas gifts) are exchanged. Gifts are often delivered by Julenissen (Santa Claus).
Happy Holidays from Portugal… Boas Festas!
Christmas in Portugal is a unique experience. For some people, particularly those that come from very cold parts of the world, it doesn’t feel cold enough. For others, the ability to walk outside and even get some sunny weather is a real Christmas miracle.
Nativity scenes are really popular, especially live ones. You can find them all over Portugal around Christmas time. For live versions, people dress up as characters from Christmas stories.
Like the U.S., houses are decorated for Christmas. However, instead of Santa, Baby Jesus is the one who gives gifts, and Portuguese children set out their shoes instead of stockings hoping Baby Jesus fills them with presents.
Another popular tradition is midnight mass. Most families go to the midnight mass known as “Missa do Galo.” A big part of midnight mass is kissing the baby Jesus, and everyone in the congregation will queue up to do so.
At Portuguese Christmas celebrations, sweet pastries abound, and they are a lot more indulgent (extra sweet) than normal. Two popular sweets are “Rabanadas” or “fatias douradas.” Think of them as French toasts with wine sauce…delicious! Another favorite is “sonhos,” deep-fried and covered in sugar. The pastries have a very festive decor to them too.
Happy Holidays from Israel… חג שמח!
The main December holiday in Israel is “Hanukkah”, celebrating the winning of the rebellion against the Greek empire and the miracle of lighting the sacred oil lamp in God’s Temple with the last oil can that was found, for eight days. Looking deeper, we can find the symbolism in the little can of oil, raising up to the occasion, relevant for our days, where each one of us have to find his powers raise up to the occasions of this challenging times.
Oil and the Menorah (iconic multi-candle lamp) are key elements of Israeli holiday traditions. Each candle of the Menorah is lit on a different day, counting down the final eight days before Christmas Day. Oily “guilty pleasures” including Jewish donuts and Latkes (potato pancakes) are eaten and enjoyed by the masses.
You can also observe mixed celebrations of Hanukkah and Christmas. For example, Israelis will also decorate with lights and celebrate the “holiday of lights.”
Happy Holidays from Australia, Mate!
When you’re located in the southern hemisphere, Christmas is a summertime holiday. The heat of summer in Australia has an impact on the way Australians celebrate Christmas. A typical Aussie holiday celebration includes a “Surf n’ Turf” Barbie (barbecue) full of seafood, steak, and beer.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, traditions are similar to the U.S. People decorate their homes, send out greetings cards, and sing carols. Leading up to Christmas Day, children delightedly anticipate a visit from Santa Claus. On Christmas Day, family and friends gather to exchange gifts and enjoy special holiday food. Carols by Candlelight hare also held throughout the country in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The events range from huge gatherings to smaller local community and church events.
Prawns (shrimp) are an Aussie favorite at the dinner table. In fact, Australians spend ten times more on prawns at Christmas compared to any other time of the year. Drinking beer often involved too. Beers are often given as the “entry price” to a holiday celebration.
With close to 80% of Australians living within 50 kilometers of a beach, sand is the “Australian’s Snow.” You can walk the beach and find people making their versions of “Frosty the Sandmen” (instead of snowman). Other Aussie activities include camping/hiking and playing cricket.
Happy Holidays from Poland… Wesołych Świąt!
In Poland, people start Christmas with decorating a Christmas tree. According to tradition, it should be done by the father and kids on Christmas Eve.
Then, Christmas Eve is the most solemn and most moving evening of the year. It begins with dinner when the first star in the sky appears. Before the dinner, we break a Christmas Wafer (opłatek) and give best wishes to each other. The Christmas Wafer is a symbol of unity and sharing our last piece of bread with others.
Fun Fact: Carp is one of the most popular Christmas Eve dishes in Poland.
The tradition is to have 12 dishes for Christmas Eve dinner. The most popular dishes are beet soup (barszcz), pierogi with cabbage and mushrooms, cabbage and mushrooms with noodles (łazanki), carp fish, and compote made from dried fruit.
The Polish always have an extra empty place at the Christmas Eve table for a stray wanderer who may appear in their houses. They also put a little hay under the tablecloth as Christ was born in a manger. Santa Claus comes and brings presents after the Christmas Eve dinner. The last thing of the Christmas Eve is a Midnight Mass (Pasterka), as Jesus was born at night. Then on Christmas Day, families gather to celebrate.